Amp bezels

[mstng281]

Hi everyone. I have a question regarding some of the older Mcintosh amps. I'll use the MC2205 as an example. Most of them that I see have the silver bezel around the power meters. But sometimes I'll see one with no bezel and just the flat glass (like on the 2105). My question is: was this a difference in early/late production or are the bezels removable or was this an option? I'm considering a vintage Mcintosh purchase and I like the look without the bezel MUCH better. Any help is much appreciated. Chad

 

[CarlV]

They all came with bezels, people remove them (and lose them ). They are rather cheesy plastic adhered to the glass and if you wipe the silver too much it will come off, probably why many were removed in the first place. 1st generation did not have them.
Removing them also makes them look newer too.


Carl

 

[skippy_ps]

Help, I lost my bezel.

Murray

 

[Vintage Pete]

Keep looking, you'll find

Help, I lost my bezel.

Murray

You can find them, but they're in demand and sometimes hard to find. Check with Ryan at Audio Classics from time to time, and eBay. McIntosh no longer carries them; their supplier went out of business long ago. You can expect to pay a few $$ for them. If the painted trim is peeled ar chipped, you can carefully retore that if you want. (I've gotten pretty good at it).

Good luck!

Peter

 

[Daytripper]

IMO look way better without:thmbsp:

Robert

 

[rodH]

Looks much better without it, never knew that they could just come off.

 

[Vintage Pete]

A Mac is a Mac...

Looks much better without it, never knew that they could just come off.

I've actually been on the fence on this point at times myself...the units DO look really nice without the bezel as well....and you don't have to worry about the silver
(or gold, on "newer" ones) trim coming off. Another option, if the trim is chipped, is to simply remove the colored trim using very fine sandpaper. They
look good that way too...and no worrying about the paint coming off. I lived with my MR78 that way for a few years, but ultimately I restored the trim.

I guess I'm one of those who like to have the unit look exactly as it did when new..or as close as possible. What's really most important is that the glass is in good shape, with no cracks, bubbling, etc.

It's all a matter of preference, and a Mac is a Mac, they can ALL look gorgeous!

Enjoy....

Peter

 

[skippy_ps]

Looks much better without it, never knew that they could just come off.

The bezel is secured to the glass with double-sided foam tape. A single edged razor blade and a little cussing will get it off - take care not to crack the plastic.

Murray

 

[rodH]

The bezel is secured to the glass with double-sided foam tape. A single edged razor blade and a little cussing will get it off - take care not to crack the plastic.

Murray

Since I have also seen this done on cars "debadging" maybe even a safer way (for the amp and the owner) is to heat it up with a hair dryer and use dental floss.

 

[Vintage Pete]

Yes!

Since I have also seen this done on cars "debadging" maybe even a safer way (for the amp and the owner) is to heat it up with a hair dryer and use dental floss.

Yes, the hair dryer is an excellent method! I also used this method to remove the station preset buttons from my old MR80 glass when I replaced it.

Pete

 

[skippy_ps]

Yeah, but a single edged razor blade:

1. Doesn't melt the bezel

2. Doesn't bubble up the paint on the inside of the glass

3. Doesn't melt the other do-dadds on the inside of the glass

:

Murray

 

[mstng281]

Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated!

 

[Vintage Pete]

Yeah, but a single edged razor blade:

1. Doesn't melt the bezel

2. Doesn't bubble up the paint on the inside of the glass

3. Doesn't melt the other do-dadds on the inside of the glass

:

Murray

Concern #1 really isn't a concern...the dryer won't melt the bezel. But prying
a stubbornly attached bezel with a blade or other instrument can definitely damage it.

Concerns #2 & 3 could be a concern if you overheat. I've never had a problem, you just heat it enough to soften up the glue on the two way tape
a bit. Of course, if you're removing the part from an old panel that is already damaged or bubbled, it doesn't matter anyway...

In any case, using the lower heat setting on the dryer, and doing it gradually is a good idea.