Hey Don - Wrong Dave above.
For modifications, the 5500 and 6500 have a lot of modifications you can add, a bearing levelwind to the levelwind, stainless steel high speed gears, power handle, ceramic or abec-7 bearings, and smoothie drags to name a few.
If you go with the 7000 series reels there are fewer modifications. You can change out the gears, change the drag and have an adjustable mag installed.
I love my Abus but I picked up a 525mag to play with.
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