MC-2100 gain knob part #090-017

[Way Gone]

Ugliest knobs Mac ever used! There must be a better looking knob that would fit!

Whether a knob is ugly by your standards is interesting, but not of much use to old Mghorayeb, the original poster. He has already mentioned that he is interested in owning a piece of McIntosh gear that looks precisely like the designer intended when he allowed it to roll off the line. You are urging him to find a "better looking" knob. What's next, you plan on recommending he spray paint the unit hot pink because you think black is ugly? It ain't about ugliness or prettiness. It's about striving for a period correct look. That being said, love to know what your favorite McIntosh knob is?

 

[chef free]

Whether a knob is ugly by your standards is interesting, but not of much use to old Mghorayeb, the original poster. He has already mentioned that he is interested in owning a piece of McIntosh gear that looks precisely like the designer intended when he allowed it to roll off the line. You are urging him to find a "better looking" knob. What's next, you plan on recommending he spray paint the unit hot pink because you think black is ugly? It ain't about ugliness or prettiness. It's about striving for a period correct look. That being said, love to know what your favorite McIntosh knob is?

Admit it! That is one ugly, cheap, plastic looking knob! If I owned a 2100, the very first thing I'd do would be to get rid of them. Seriously almost anything would look better, maybe some of those old "chicken head" knobs, or the round dome knobs from the early Telecaster. Knobs don't effect the sound anyway...

But don't mind me, I also think the plastic bezel around the meters on the MC2205 destroys the beautiful design and, if I had one, I would definitely remove it because it looks B A D.

Favorite Knobs you ask? Hmmm, tough one, I like the dual concentric ones on the MX110, 112, 113, 114, 115 a lot, but the "80's style" knobs with the black center look best to me. I'd love to get an MC2105, maybe the best looking thing they ever made, and put some 80 knobs on it.

 

[SaturationPt]

I don’t like the knob (I didn’t like the meter bezel on my 2255 either, still in a drawer). However, it’s the original knob, both of my MC75s are still wearing them, it doesn’t really change anything.

 

[Way Gone]

I am having trouble understanding what's not to like about the knobs on the 2100. Two tone black and silver with special ridge gripped perimeter topped off with pupil white level indicator markings. Made out of state of the art plastic that provides a safety factor in that is resistant in conducting electricity. The knob provides a pair of eyes, if you will, reminding you that good reliable audio equipment has a soul that can be reached through the gain controls. The design truly fit's the amplifier's incarnation as a work-horse utilitarian piece aimed at powering PA systems , organizational audio platforms as well as the working man's audio system. The things are reflective of the tank-like quality of the 2100. You may hear stories of folks losing them, but it's super rare to hear a tale of one breaking or failing to activate the control that it has dedicated it's life to adjusting. Them knobs are solidly designed and engineered to take abuse and do not look like a piece of candy for kids to pull off and swallow down like many other amps and preamps. I respectfully ask that folks stop hating on these knobs and spend a moment trying to celebrate what they offer.

 

[chef free]

I have heard many stories of lost 2100 knobs, I've seen a few with just one. That sounds to me like they don't work very well for their intended purpose, one of which was surely to "stay on the shaft"...

 

[Way Gone]

Keep in mind, old sport, this was a McIntosh amp that was moved about from gig to gig more than almost all the other amps in the entire line. When you pick up a 2100 to carry. the natural inclination is to pick it up with the control panel facing your front torso. You'll notice that there is a tendency for your belt/ waist band to gently pry off them gain knobs and toss 'em willy nilly. Thats how the majority got lost. They never received the care the higher model amps got when they were moved about. But that don't mean we should now take it out on the knob design itself. These knobs are righteous and I again ask that we make an attempt to honor them for what they are.

 

[SaturationPt]

It's a chrome and black amplifier, with chrome and black knobs. Industrial painted & perforated steel guards around the heatsinks aren't exactly NAPA leather and boron-fiber weave, ... they go together just fine.

Would I prefer black billet knobs with chrome? Sure, I'll get in my time machine and suggest that, but for now I have to agree with @Way Gone that they served their purpose, and maybe they sheared when taking a hit instead of shearing the shaft and actually did more than a solid metal knob would have in protection.

I can always to on amazon and order a pair of metal knobs if it bugs me.

 

[mghorayeb]

I want the original knobs, because like many of us, I’m OCD. That said, they are among the poorest quality Mc knobs I’ve seen. If somebody has a good 3D printer and is willing to give it a crack, please let me know.

 

[62caddy]

If the older Dakaware knobs used on the tube amplifiers fit the 2100 shafts, that's what I'd use and think nothing further of it and they're readily available at reasonable cost.

The other knobs always looked a bit hokey to me as well. I can appreciate the desire to maintain original appearance however.

 

[SaturationPt]

Those knobs are on my MC240 and are similar to what was used on so much industrial and test equipment back in the tube days, I’m pretty sure I had them on a couple of pieces of (long gone) gear, possibly on my Eico 460 oscilloscope also.

 

[SaturationPt]

Here it is:

 

[SaturationPt]

And here:

 

[62caddy]

Yes they were used everywhere back in the day. Had a pair of Heathkit speakers with them too. I put them on a pair of MC30s although the original design didn't call for it. Looked far better than the bare control shafts.

 

[Half-Fast]

Does anyone have the exterior measurement for this knob? I *believe* it's 1 3/16" x 1/2"?

 

[John James]

Looks like the knobs on my MC250.

 

[Half-Fast]

Looks like the knobs on my MC250.

I believe they're the same knobs. If you have a minute to measure, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[SaturationPt]

I measured the knobs on my MC75s: 7/8" Dia x 7/16 tall like the knobs pictured in post 18.

 

[John James]

I believe they're the same knobs. If you have a minute to measure, I'd really appreciate it.

7/8"Dia and 7/16" tall.

 

[Half-Fast]

Thank you very much for taking the time to measure John James! I would have purchased the wrong knob without your measurement.

 

[John James]

Glad to be of service!