DBX front panel question :)

Hi all

So I have this weird question, does anybody here knows what are the old DBX front panels made of ? Talking about the DBX 117, 118, 160 etc

My guess is anodized aluminium. Can anybody comment / confirm ?

Thanks a lot

thomas

1 mm thick natural anodized aluminium sheet, inserted into universal frame, black paint on sheet with inverted film, IMO.

thanks for your input, so silk screened writings then?

thomasdf said:

thanks for your input, so silk screened writings then?

Click to expand...

Yes, silk-screening; it's about the only practical solution at the time, excluding mech engraving.

Thanks ! Is it possible to silk screen and then anodize? The writings seem very very very thin, almost in the surface. Or is there some sort of lacquer afterwards ?

thomasdf said:

Thanks ! Is it possible to silk screen and then anodize? The writings seem very very very thin, almost in the surface. Or is there some sort of lacquer afterwards ?

Click to expand...

Anodizing comes first usually. Ink prevents anodizing, so there would be no advantage because the ink would still be exposed. There have been attempts at creating selective anodizing, by silk-screening a protective vanish (in negative) followed by dark anodizing, then the varnish was dissolved and clearer anodizing was made. It was found too labour intensive for a mitigated result. If the metal has been brushed adequately, the ink will stay durably; I believe the old inks are not used anymore, only the very durable epoxy ones, and now the UV cured ones.

Thanks for your answer
the investigations continues... especially regarding the inks !