EXHIBIT 23 ---------- CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 2-74896, No. 33-38737 and No. 33-73044), in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-71030) and in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 33-65229) of Bell Industries, Inc. of our report dated February 14, 2002 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Los Angeles, California March 28, 2002