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Is a possible to replace the grey cover of a Beomaster 3500 with the 4500 chrome version?
If so, is it a pretty easy/straightforward swap?
Thanks.
Simply remove the gray paint with paint stripper. Underneath is a 4500 polished panel!! Honest.
Regards Graham
joeyboygolf: Simply remove the gray paint with paint stripper. Underneath is a 4500 polished panel!! Honest.
You've just reminded me of this being mentioned before on this forum. I have a 4500 in excellent exterior condition, but most of the the touch controls don't operate anymore. Not too much of a problem as I use my Beo4, but if I have to re-tune the radio, it's not possible via my Beo4 (although it was with my old 1000), so when I want to do this I have to remove the black glass cover and touch the controls beneath.
I thought if I could get hold of a good 3500 I could just replace my chrome cover.
If however there's one already underneath the 3500, then that solves the problem.
BTW, I seem to recall that the 4500 range was more expensive than the 3500. Why would anyone knowing the chrome was beneath, pay more for the 4500 range? Or was a secret?
Why don't you simply stick the glass down so that the touch controls work again!!!!
It's great to see there are some "trolls" on Beoworld as well.... I was wondering what's verifying of answers for
Don't worry - be Happy
Bob: It's great to see there are some "trolls" on Beoworld as well.... I was wondering what's verifying of answers for
Trolls ?Where ?You ?
Martin
Dillen: Bob: It's great to see there are some "trolls" on Beoworld as well.... I was wondering what's verifying of answers for Trolls ?Where ?You ? Martin
Trolls comes from Trollhaettan in Sweden, Vikings comes from DK, I never heard of Trolls from Cambridgeshire or Spain.
Opening a new thread you have to choose Question or Discussion, if Question is selected you have the possibility to verify a correct answer, which is stupid, as we continue discussing even if the answer was correct or not or a better answer comes up
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
kokomo: BTW, I seem to recall that the 4500 range was more expensive than the 3500. Why would anyone knowing the chrome was beneath, pay more for the 4500 range? Or was a secret?
First of all: It's not chrome -it's polished aluminum. I agree -it would be crazy to first make the aluminum go through an expensive polishing process -just to paint it grey afterwards...But - as far as I know - it was aluminum covers that didn't make quality control, that got painted and used for the 3500 series.
joeyboygolf: Why don't you simply stick the glass down so that the touch controls work again!!!!
Great idea, BUT, it's the conductive material on the underside of the glass that's failed in many places.
I've seen replacement glass panels for sale I think, but again from recollection these don't have any markings on them. They're just plain glass.
A solution I accept, but the ideal one would just be an original good condition working panel.
Are these still available anywhere?
kokomo:BTW, I seem to recall that the 4500 range was more expensive than the 3500. Why would anyone knowing the chrome was beneath, pay more for the 4500 range? Or was a secret?
The 3500 also lacked timer functions and didn't have two-way IR. Possibly just limited by software, but in any case buyers of 4500 got more than just shiny panels for their extra money.
--mika
kokomo: joeyboygolf: Why don't you simply stick the glass down so that the touch controls work again!!!! Great idea, BUT, it's the conductive material on the underside of the glass that's failed in many places. I've seen replacement glass panels for sale I think, but again from recollection these don't have any markings on them. They're just plain glass. A solution I accept, but the ideal one would just be an original good condition working panel. Are these still available anywhere?
They are not generally available however, member Leslie did make a few which were very good, as far as I could tell from reactions.
I have never seen a failure of the conductive material on any of the models that use that technology. How did that happen - vandalism???
Convince me!
How does the two-way communication manifest itself? For example, with my Beo4, I can set bass & treble, without two-way, would this not be possible?
kokomo: How does the two-way communication manifest itself? For example, with my Beo4, I can set bass & treble, without two-way, would this not be possible?
The Beo4 is not a two way remote so it will work exactly the same as with a Beolink 1000.
You can only access 2 way facility with a Beolink 5000 or Beolink 7000 remote. The 2 way Beomaster will send it's vol/bass/treble value back to the remote. A typical bit of B&O gimickry more suited to the anorak train spotter brigade and not of very much use to the normal user.
Not all Beomaster 4500's had the 2 way facility in their software. Later examples dropped the idea
Is that just me thinking that there is bit more between 3500 and 4500 or, are the differences (they're different sizes after all) really in polished aluminium cover :)
Bob: Is that just me thinking that there is bit more between 3500 and 4500 or, are the differences (they're different sizes after all) really in polished aluminium cover :)
They are exactly the same size!
You're wrong - they are exactly the same size... The Beogram CD, Beogram, and Beocord are not quite as wide as the Beomaster - maybe that's what got you confused?
- Dennis
that's the one Dennis - confusion I blame it on - just rechecked the products specs and was about to bite my thong publicly - your comment do nicely ;)
joeyboygolf:They are exactly the same size!
You beat me to it!
Internal there aren't any difference except for the SW as far as I am concerned (Although I remember, that the first BM3500 weren't 2-way compatible due to some missing hardware (IR Diodes?)) I do also believe, that some of the BM4500 glass panels had a IR window in it, but that's the only differences I can think of - All of the later BM3500's had the same hardware as the BM4500's - At least mine has And I know this for sure, as it works just like a 2-way BM4500 after I changed the SW to the latest version (SW2.21?) - Fully functional 2-way communication and timer programmings.
Dennis: joeyboygolf:They are exactly the same size! You beat me to it! Internal there aren't any difference except for the SW as far as I am concerned (Although I remember, that the first BM3500 weren't 2-way compatible due to some missing hardware (IR Diodes?)) I do also believe, that some of the BM4500 glass panels had a IR window in it, but that's the only differences I can think of - All of the later BM3500's had the same hardware as the BM4500's - At least mine has And I know this for sure, as it works just like a 2-way BM4500 after I changed the SW to the latest version (SW2.21?) - Fully functional 2-way communication and timer programmings. - Dennis
Please tell us how you changed the SW...
Steffen:Please tell us how you changed the SW...
I was lucky to get hold of a new eprom with the latest 2-way SW on it - So I simply took out the old eprom and exchanged it with the new one. Somehow I think the new eprom had to be activated, cause when I connected my BM3500 to the mains again, it wrote 'CODE' in the display - Thanks to some Beoworld members I got hold of the code, and after activating it, it was operating just like a BM4500.
I quite like the grey on my Beosystem 3500. If it isn't badly scratched I can imagine why someone would want to change it. Wouldn't it devalue the system? I'm more for keeping things original as possible. The grey and black go perfectly together and its so easy to keep clean unlike the polished finish. Just my thoughts!
the glass panels are not exactly the same, it might be that they changed over time rather than a difference between 3500 and 4500, but how it lights up during balance, bass and treble control is different between my 3500 and 4500 master. I also remember Leslie mentioning that the panels were not interchangeable.
besides that they seem to be exactly the same, (expect what has been mentioned before in this thread…)
I bought one of the last beomaster replacement glass panels from B&O. It was for a 4500 but I used it on my 3500 and apart from the extra little window for the timer there is no difference at all. Everything worked perfectly. Actually I told B&O it was for my 3500 and that is what they sold me.
BenSA: I bought one of the last beomaster replacement glass panels from B&O. It was for a 4500 but I used it on my 3500 and apart from the extra little window for the timer there is no difference at all. Everything worked perfectly. Actually I told B&O it was for my 3500 and that is what they sold me.
I can find replacement glass panels for the 3500/4500 CD & tape units on eBay from Quality Dream Audio, but the panels for the Beomasters seem a bit scarcer.
Have you all been sleeping while I took a lot of effort making these BM4500 panels?
Brengen & Ophalen
I wasn't even there .... I've already verified that everyone is right and I was wrong, bite my tongue and all that
peace all
The glasspanel board is different!
Leslie: Have you all been sleeping while I took a lot of effort making these BM4500 panels?
I must confess that I was probably sleeping while you made them
Dennis:Internal there aren't any difference except for the SW as far as I am concerned (Although I remember, that the first BM3500 weren't 2-way compatible due to some missing hardware (IR Diodes?)) I do also believe, that some of the BM4500 glass panels had a IR window in it, but that's the only differences I can think of
Ever tried to exchange a 3500/4500 glasspanelboard? Different type of connectors!
Leslie: Dennis:Internal there aren't any difference except for the SW as far as I am concerned (Although I remember, that the first BM3500 weren't 2-way compatible due to some missing hardware (IR Diodes?)) I do also believe, that some of the BM4500 glass panels had a IR window in it, but that's the only differences I can think of Ever tried to exchange a 3500/4500 glasspanelboard? Different type of connectors!
No, and I did not know that. Do you know what the difference(s) between the two boards are - except for the connectors of course?
No, I don't know, sorry!
Hi Leslie, great series of photos which I presume show a refurbishment of the glass panel, but are there any accompanying instructions to describe what is being done and the materials used?
Thanks, but this is not a refurbishment but a complete replica of the BM4500 glasspanels where I started with buying new clear glasspanels. And it's definetely not the black glass crap with some sort of aluminium glued on the backside with no text and display on it as sold by a reseller on Ebay UK. How do I know? 2 Persons already came to me and showed me this black piece of sh1t.
Well Leslie you must be very skilled in this area, to begin with a piece of glass and then create a replica of the original. Without giving away your 'secrets', just how difficult/tricky was it to do? It must have take a lot of time, skill and effort.
Lots of effort, but then again, it's my hobby and passion for B&O making things as new again (as much as possible). This part was obsolete so I had to think how to make them myself and I think I succeed since I sold around 15 out of 20 (5 failed). At the old forum I showed how I did that, starting buying a clear glass panel, spraying, laser engraving, conductive paint and coloring! But the pictures on that thread are gone as many other valuable threads!
Wanna see more? Check this how my glasspanel has been laser engraved!
kokomo:Without giving away your 'secrets', just how difficult/tricky was it to do?
I don't have secrets, lots of B&O parts can be made by yourself saving you a lot of money instead of buying these overprized dealerprizes!
kokomo: Is a possible to replace the grey cover of a Beomaster 3500 with the 4500 chrome version? If so, is it a pretty easy/straightforward swap? Thanks.
Pretty straight forward swap. Have you got a 4500 mirror cover?
Dennis: Leslie: Dennis:Internal there aren't any difference except for the SW as far as I am concerned (Although I remember, that the first BM3500 weren't 2-way compatible due to some missing hardware (IR Diodes?)) I do also believe, that some of the BM4500 glass panels had a IR window in it, but that's the only differences I can think of Ever tried to exchange a 3500/4500 glasspanelboard? Different type of connectors! No, and I did not know that. Do you know what the difference(s) between the two boards are - except for the connectors of course? - Dennis
There was absolutely NO difference what so ever in the connectors. The glass cam in a tube clearly marked 4500 and I just popped in the connectors and slid the glass on. No difference whats so ever!!! Worked first time...I didn't have to make any changes at all! It was confirmed by B&O when I purchased the glass there was no difference apart from the extra cut out for the timer which is barely visible once in place on the Beomaster 3500
You're right mate, just checked both connectors of 3500 and 4500 I have here and there is indeed no difference.
I'm sure I got one where I tried to swap these boards and the connectors did not match.
A friend of mine had a defect 4500 glasspanel board where I tried to swap but again different connectors! Will check again.....