To minimize the weight of a magnetic tape recorder chassis and cabinet assembly, a wire frame chassis (18) carrying printed circuit board guides (20) and connectors (22) is mounted to one side of a sand cast bezel (24), and polyurethane wall panels (16) are secured to the wire frame. A cabinet cover and underlying tape transport assembly are hinged to the bezel to enable pivoting away from the wire frame, exposing circuit boards for servicing. The "open air flow" characteristic of the wire frame chassis (18) helps cool critical electrical components.