Alps Appreciation Thread

[mike52787]

So I took it completely apart, and put it back together. I don't know what to do with it. I really like SMK but the typing angle is too extreme for me and the size is massive. From the pictures I didn't have a clue it was this big. I can't get it going right now since I need to find out the pinout of the PCB to hook up a PS/2 cable I bought.

What do?

I would be loving a normal K104 right now

haha sorry, It is a pretty huge board, and I figured the photos showed it well. Those switches are really nice and clean, shining examples of monterey blues. If you want to build a case for it that would be pretty cool!

[mike52787]

BTW, the box I shipped it in was the original box, hopefully the board and box arrived in OK shape. I figured it was packed quite well in that box.

[Mattr567]

So I took it completely apart, and put it back together. I don't know what to do with it. I really like SMK but the typing angle is too extreme for me and the size is massive. From the pictures I didn't have a clue it was this big. I can't get it going right now since I need to find out the pinout of the PCB to hook up a PS/2 cable I bought.

What do?

I would be loving a normal K104 right now

haha sorry, It is a pretty huge board, and I figured the photos showed it well. Those switches are really nice and clean, shining examples of monterey blues. If you want to build a case for it that would be pretty cool!

Yea they are really nice. One of the switches isn't clicky though.

BTW, the box I shipped it in was the original box, hopefully the board and box arrived in OK shape. I figured it was packed quite well in that box.

Yea it came fine.

[Mattr567]

So I could either make a case, or retrofit another one/find a K104 case? Or sell it?

Not really sure.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

Listing the Monterey, its just ain't for me Can't always win I guess. Anyone interested?

I would rate SMK better than SKCM White from my experience. At least the SKCM White i've tried. They might be better in something like an Omnikey or simply better condition switches. Still I would call SMK an underrated switch.

[mike52787]

Listing the Monterey, its just ain't for me Can't always win I guess. Anyone interested?

I would rate SMK better than SKCM White from my experience. At least the SKCM White i've tried. They might be better in something like an Omnikey or simply better condition switches. Still I would call SMK an underrated switch.

Sorry you didn't like it

[Mattr567]

Listing the Monterey, its just ain't for me Can't always win I guess. Anyone interested?

I would rate SMK better than SKCM White from my experience. At least the SKCM White i've tried. They might be better in something like an Omnikey or simply better condition switches. Still I would call SMK an underrated switch.

Sorry you didn't like it

It's fine man, don't worry about it. You win some, and you lose some. It wasn't just the case, the switches are nice but I don't see myself using it even with a normal case. SKCM Blue is just that good lol. This is the same problem I had with the FK-3001.

How you liking it btw?

Excited for my Cherry G80-11800 to come anyway. Unlike my last one this has the rarer thick pbt!

[mike52787]

Listing the Monterey, its just ain't for me Can't always win I guess. Anyone interested?

I would rate SMK better than SKCM White from my experience. At least the SKCM White i've tried. They might be better in something like an Omnikey or simply better condition switches. Still I would call SMK an underrated switch.

Sorry you didn't like it

It's fine man, don't worry about it. You win some, and you lose some. It wasn't just the case, the switches are nice but I don't see myself using it even with a normal case. SKCM Blue is just that good lol. This is the same problem I had with the FK-3001.

How you liking it btw?

Excited for my Cherry G80-11800 to come anyway. Unlike my last one this has the rarer thick pbt!

I really like the 3001. I put on thick PBT alphas, the ones from the z150 set you sent me, and that makes the keyfeel sublime. I dont like them quite as much as I like my skcm cream, but the switches in the 3001 are in absolutely awesome condition. I added it to my rotation

[Mattr567]

I really like the 3001. I put on thick PBT alphas, the ones from the z150 set you sent me, and that makes the keyfeel sublime. I dont like them quite as much as I like my skcm cream, but the switches in the 3001 are in absolutely awesome condition. I added it to my rotation

Good. Certainly getting more use out of it than I did.

Just keep it nice and white

[alienman82]

removed.

[E3E]

 

[alienman82]

removed.

[MandrewDavis]

I bought a Unitek K-155 to try out this whole vintage black dealio.  After desoldering close to 10 alps boards and a million bent pins, I thought desoldering a Cherry board would be a piece of cake. After getting all the main pins done, I just noticed that none of them were coming out.

Every switch diodes inside, FML 

Almost done now, but a full boards worth in-switch-diodes was not what I had in mind for today.

[alienman82]

removed.

[MandrewDavis]

I bought a Unitek K-155 to try out this whole vintage black dealio.  After desoldering close to 10 alps boards and a million bent pins, I thought desoldering a Cherry board would be a piece of cake. After getting all the main pins done, I just noticed that none of them were coming out.

Every switch diodes inside, FML 

Almost done now, but a full boards worth in-switch-diodes was not what I had in mind for today.

honestly once you're used to bending back the alps pins, they are way easier to desolder than cherry switches especially ones that are PCB-mounted and have diodes.

Cherry sucks, but the switches in the end are nicer.  alps is just overall meh.

The switches themselves are a bit dirty and the switchplates almost look tarnished so I don't know what to do with that. They are about as smooth as modern blacks at this point.

Sold a bunch of my zealios and found a cheap board with vintage clears so I may give ergos a shot. Among all my boards right now, I am heading towards having only one containing modern switches. 

Alps still have the better overall lineup and its going to be tough beating out SKCL greens as my favorite linear switch.

[menuhin]

I bought a Unitek K-155 to try out this whole vintage black dealio.  After desoldering close to 10 alps boards and a million bent pins, I thought desoldering a Cherry board would be a piece of cake. After getting all the main pins done, I just noticed that none of them were coming out.

Every switch diodes inside, FML 

Almost done now, but a full boards worth in-switch-diodes was not what I had in mind for today.

honestly once you're used to bending back the alps pins, they are way easier to desolder than cherry switches especially ones that are PCB-mounted and have diodes.

Cherry sucks, but the switches in the end are nicer.  alps is just overall meh.

 

Then you want to keep your Olive VE.A and sell that epic Black VE.A with Alps?  )

I just want to have a bit of everything before I finally pick my favorite, I can just say I find Cherry browns absolutely awful and Cherry blues weird, while Cherry clears seem acceptable. I have to compare Cherry clears and Alps dampened creams side by side one day, I think they're similar in some sense. Perhaps MX greens vs Alps SKCM browns. Anyways, the delayed tactile bump of MX design seems to be incurable.

For linear, I already can tell I probably like the smoother MX blacks better than SKCL green Alps.

[E3E]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

(warning Cherry content)

So got my Cherry G80-11800 today and I fully cleaned up and it is pretty nice actually. It is from 1997, so its an early 11800, which also has the thick PBT keycaps.

Unlike before I'm liking these MX Browns quite a bit. They can't be compared to modern Browns. Much smoother and less bumpy. The thicker caps add enough weight to the feel that it feels balanced. In the past Brown felt a bit too light and Clear was too heavy for me.

Man, why and when did Cherry drop the ball, if they still made switches like these people would not be complaining about them as much.

[Delirious]

The new sandblasting finish from lasergist is super good.

[happylacquer]

I bought a Unitek K-155 to try out this whole vintage black dealio.  After desoldering close to 10 alps boards and a million bent pins, I thought desoldering a Cherry board would be a piece of cake. After getting all the main pins done, I just noticed that none of them were coming out.

Every switch diodes inside, FML 

Almost done now, but a full boards worth in-switch-diodes was not what I had in mind for today.

honestly once you're used to bending back the alps pins, they are way easier to desolder than cherry switches especially ones that are PCB-mounted and have diodes.

Cherry sucks, but the switches in the end are nicer.  alps is just overall meh.

This describes the alps experience so well  )

[MandrewDavis]

The new sandblasting finish from lasergist is super good.

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Wow that looks amazing. Orange alps are a great choice, what caps are you going with?

[Delirious]

The new sandblasting finish from lasergist is super good.

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Wow that looks amazing. Orange alps are a great choice, what caps are you going with?

At the moment I will be using the mixture of Taohao caps between the currently on-sale set and the old Focus FK. I also has the pbt set from an IBM Multistation that I bought on taobao. However that set is missing the ANSI Enter cap. I will need to find someone who's willing to let that go. The PBT set from the Multistation is definitely the end game for this board.

[E3E]

Cherry sucks, but the switches in the end are pretty terrible.  alps is just overall great.

This describes the alps experience so well  )

I couldn't agree more.

[menuhin]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

Rarity as I've observed:
SKCL Browns > SKCM Neon Greens > SKCM Browns > SKCL Greens >> MX Vintage Blacks

Of course, in terms of rarity, Striped Ambers and Ambers are above them.

[Mattr567]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

Rarity as I've observed:
SKCL Browns > SKCM Neon Greens > SKCM Browns > SKCL Greens >> MX Vintage Blacks

Of course, in terms of rarity, Striped Ambers and Ambers are above them.

I would replace SKCL Green with SKCM Cream (non damp). SKCL Green isn't actually that rare, but I would call it uncommon.

Common to me is SKCM Black, SKCM Cream Damp and SKCM White.

[Hypersphere]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

Rarity as I've observed:
SKCL Browns > SKCM Neon Greens > SKCM Browns > SKCL Greens >> MX Vintage Blacks

Of course, in terms of rarity, Striped Ambers and Ambers are above them.

I would replace SKCL Green with SKCM Cream (non damp). SKCL Green isn't actually that rare, but I would call it uncommon.

Common to me is SKCM Black, SKCM Cream Damp and SKCM White.

SKCM white might be subdivided into pine and bamboo versions, and there might even be further subcategories (e.g., length of slits in the pine version; type of plastic in the sliders; and presence or absence of dry lubricant).

[alienman82]

removed.

[E3E]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

Rarity as I've observed:
SKCL Browns > SKCM Neon Greens > SKCM Browns > SKCL Greens >> MX Vintage Blacks

Of course, in terms of rarity, Striped Ambers and Ambers are above them.

I would say that there is a split between pine and bamboo SKCM Greens though. I'd place SKCM Green (pine) as a little MORE rare than SKCL Brown, because pine is seldom seen from DocuTechs.   
 
So it'd be like SKCM Green (pine) > SKCL Brown > SKCM Green (bamboo) > SKCL Cream > SKCM Amber > SKCM Brown > SKCM Cream > (it starts getting into the common end here. I'd say SKCM Blue next).

The last three are not necessarily rare in my eyes because there seems to be no shortage of 5140 and Apple IIc computers. I rarely see the Bondwell 8T Pro laptops though. The NeXT boards are thinning out, but Canon Typewriters in the AP _50 series always seem to have SKCM Cream as long as the LED indicator is rectangular.

There's also a rare Sharp keyboard that might be full of SKCL Cream, but I'd say in general that the switch is rare to find in an entire board.

[cumwagondeluxe]

For me SKCL Brown > Vintage Blacks. That's also because I enjoy the shorter throw. I feel like the longer stroke of a Cherry MX switch can also exaggerate smoothness to an extent.

Rarity as I've observed:
SKCL Browns > SKCM Neon Greens > SKCM Browns > SKCL Greens >> MX Vintage Blacks

Of course, in terms of rarity, Striped Ambers and Ambers are above them.

I would say that there is a split between pine and bamboo SKCM Greens though. I'd place SKCM Green (pine) as a little MORE rare than SKCL Brown, because pine is seldom seen from DocuTechs.   
 
So it'd be like SKCM Green (pine) > SKCL Brown > SKCM Green (bamboo) > SKCL Cream > SKCM Amber > SKCM Brown > SKCM Cream > (it starts getting into the common end here. I'd say SKCM Blue next).

The last three are not necessarily rare in my eyes because there seems to be no shortage of 5140 and Apple IIc computers. I rarely see the Bondwell 8T Pro laptops though. The NeXT boards are thinning out, but Canon Typewriters in the AP _50 series always seem to have SKCM Cream as long as the LED indicator is rectangular.

There's also a rare Sharp keyboard that might be full of SKCL Cream, but I'd say in general that the switch is rare to find in an entire board.

I wish it was easier to find parts or to get people to part out their 5140s or IIcs, though - I found a 5140 the other day in great condition and the guy wanted $100 for it, which was OK for me but shipping would've been an additional $100 :/

[alienman82]

removed.

[Hypersphere]

Would you say NOS bamboo white is worse than a good condition old pine white alps switch?

I think the context was about relative rarity rather than perceived quality. Regarding your question, it is likely that a NOS or NIB bamboo white Alps will function perfectly with no binding or scratchiness, but (IMO) it will not sound as good as a "good condition" pine white Alps switch and it might not feel as good, either, depending on just how well the old pine white Alps have been preserved. However, especially when it comes to sound, one man's music is another man's noise.

[Tuntematon]

Would you say NOS bamboo white is worse than a good condition old pine white alps switch?

SKCM Pine are the only good white Alps. I wouldn't bother with anything else, regardless of condition.

[alienman82]

removed.

[menuhin]

Would you say NOS bamboo white is worse than a good condition old pine white alps switch?

Just my very subjective opinion based on limited experience: no bamboo Alps will be better than its pine counterparts, or I can even say, no bamboo Alps is good. It seems to me whenever the switches on a keyboard feel quite good, it ended up pine switches are in there, and whenever they don't feel so good, and I will see bamboos when I pop a cap. It's not only just the sound to me.

There must be something, because Bloggers in Japan say similar things that pines are superior to bamboos. But one can say some rare bamboos are good, e.g. Neon green bamboos, because not many people have tried them.

[E3E]

Would you say NOS bamboo white is worse than a good condition old pine white alps switch?

Just my very subjective opinion based on limited experience: no bamboo Alps will be better than its pine counterparts, or I can even say, no bamboo Alps is good. It seems to me whenever the switches on a keyboard feel quite good, it ended up pine switches are in there, and whenever they don't feel so good, and I will see bamboos when I pop a cap. It's not only just the sound to me.

There must be something, because Bloggers in Japan say similar things that pines are superior to bamboos. But one can say some rare bamboos are good, e.g. Neon green bamboos, because not many people have tried them.

I think those are the ONLY rare bamboos to speak of, aside from maybe SKBL Yellow? I think those are a thing. Maybe some of the linear bamboos are fine, but the lack of slits does change the sense of the switch being crisp.

Even with bamboo SKCM Green, the crispness is gone.  It's unique because it creates this oddly rounded linear-ish tactile feeling that's more of like a "hump" than it is a sheer peak that you see in other tactile switches. Because SKCM Brown and SKCM Green share a similar feel, and the fact that SKCM Brown has a unique top and cannot accept a bamboo top, SKCM Green bamboos are rather unique.

That said, I actually like SKCM Green pines more, but having both is nice to compare. Overall, yeah--pines are better.

[alh84001]

There's also a rare Sharp keyboard that might be full of SKCL Cream, but I'd say in general that the switch is rare to find in an entire board.

Quite rare. As of today it's the only non-unicorn (pine neon greens and striped amber's I'm looking at you!) SKCL/SKCM I'm missing. I'd like to get a keyboard's worth of them, but since 8T is so rare, I guess it's time to start hunting for early ZKB-2s.

[alienman82]

removed.

[alh84001]

Rub it in I wonder if it differs from bondwell SKCL cream.

[Mattr567]

I had a single SKCL cream that I gave to someone here...

It was the spacebar for a sharp typewriter (from hell btw @mandrewdavis ) LOL...

It was good.

I think that was me lol.

[MandrewDavis]

I had a single SKCL cream that I gave to someone here...

It was the spacebar for a sharp typewriter (from hell btw @mandrewdavis ) LOL...

It was good.

I still cannot get that board to work right, freaking nightmare. My secret santa was very kind to gift me a 60% Infinity with Dampened Whites and Alpine Winter.  Since the Alps 64 PCB is acting up, I may take both boards apart and pair the typewriter caps/switch/plate combo with the Infinity PCB. Hopefully I won't ruin it by drilling the holes necessary to jump the spacebar. SKCL Greens <3

If anyone is interested in ~60 dampened whites, PM me

[Delirious]

Maximum keycap compatibility, stabilizer can be installed both north or south. My 1.75 Shift is actually still in a bowl full of hydrogen peroxide.

[alienman82]

removed.

[E3E]

Maximum keycap compatibility, stabilizer can be installed both north or south. My 1.75 Shift is actually in still in a bowl full of hydrogen peroxide.

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bro that's amazing, but the caps

👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

He'll have some dope caps on them soon enough.  :thumb:

[ipreferpie]

Maximum keycap compatibility, stabilizer can be installed both north or south. My 1.75 Shift is actually in still in a bowl full of hydrogen peroxide.

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Excellent combo! I'm planning something similar but am looking to use /u/evangs upcoming DSA Lightcycle ALPS key set. Problem is that it will use MX stabilizers. Does anyone know how the VE.A ALPS plate will work with the proper compatible stabs? Thinking a Costar combo may work? Or perhaps some can design a plate that allows MX stabs?

[E3E]

Maximum keycap compatibility, stabilizer can be installed both north or south. My 1.75 Shift is actually in still in a bowl full of hydrogen peroxide.

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Excellent combo! I'm planning something similar but am looking to use /u/evangs upcoming DSA Lightcycle ALPS key set. Problem is that it will use MX stabilizers. Does anyone know how the VE.A ALPS plate will work with the proper compatible stabs? Thinking a Costar combo may work? Or perhaps some can design a plate that allows MX stabs?

I do believe that Matias stabs and wire can be used for stabs that have MX-style stabilizers. You definitely won't have enough clearance with costar. You could modify standard Alps stabs to fit into the caps and then bend wire correctly for the stabs to sit properly, but again, I think Matias sells sets that will fit properly and work on Alp stab plates.

[Delirious]

Excellent combo! I'm planning something similar but am looking to use /u/evangs upcoming DSA Lightcycle ALPS key set. Problem is that it will use MX stabilizers. Does anyone know how the VE.A ALPS plate will work with the proper compatible stabs? Thinking a Costar combo may work? Or perhaps some can design a plate that allows MX stabs?

It's actually a lot simpler than that, you just need the costar inserts
https://deskthority.net/w/images/c/c0/Tulip_ATK_030244_stabiliser_inserts.jpg

Like E3 said, you might run into clearance problem, but that could be fix by re-bending for shorter wire.

[ipreferpie]

Excellent combo! I'm planning something similar but am looking to use /u/evangs upcoming DSA Lightcycle ALPS key set. Problem is that it will use MX stabilizers. Does anyone know how the VE.A ALPS plate will work with the proper compatible stabs? Thinking a Costar combo may work? Or perhaps some can design a plate that allows MX stabs?

It's actually a lot simpler than that, you just need the costar inserts
https://deskthority.net/w/images/c/c0/Tulip_ATK_030244_stabiliser_inserts.jpg

Like E3 said, you might run into clearance problem, but that could be fix by re-bending for shorter wire.

perfect! I'll go ahead to order a few and see which options work best. Thanks


Also, is there anyone w/ experience that can install my ALPS holtite sockets in my VE.A PCB w/o killing it? Definitely needs precision drilling

[E3E]

Excellent combo! I'm planning something similar but am looking to use /u/evangs upcoming DSA Lightcycle ALPS key set. Problem is that it will use MX stabilizers. Does anyone know how the VE.A ALPS plate will work with the proper compatible stabs? Thinking a Costar combo may work? Or perhaps some can design a plate that allows MX stabs?

It's actually a lot simpler than that, you just need the costar inserts
https://deskthority.net/w/images/c/c0/Tulip_ATK_030244_stabiliser_inserts.jpg

Like E3 said, you might run into clearance problem, but that could be fix by re-bending for shorter wire.

perfect! I'll go ahead to order a few and see which options work best. Thanks


Also, is there anyone w/ experience that can install my ALPS holtite sockets in my VE.A PCB w/o killing it? Definitely needs precision drilling

Tricky to say. Yeah, it can be done, but even on my own builds, connections have to be repaired after that drilling process. The insertion of the holtites themselves is a pretty stressful process (both on the human performing the procedure and the PCB ).

I've never killed any of my boards while performing the mod at least, but it has been really stressful at points.