[IC] GMK Heisei (ON HOLD)

[zekkin]

Indefinitely on hold.

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G M K  H E I S E I

平成

GMK Heisei is the ideal combination of Cherry's OG beige colorway and my personal love of Japan and it's culture.

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In Japanese, Shibui refers to words which refer to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty^[1]. In my keyboard journey nothing has caught my attention more than the original Cherry dye-subs and doubleshots. To me, these sets represent the essence of shibui, existing at the polar opposite side of the keyboard spectrum as sets like MiTo's Laser. I hope to grab your attention not with bright colors and novelties, but with the inherent beauty of simplicity.

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T H E  S E T







Renders courtesy of janglad.

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Renders courtesy of amnesia0287 and Quantrik.
Note: this set will make use of icon modifiers.

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G M K  R E N D E R S

B A S E



S A K U R A



M O M I J I



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P R I C E S
All prices are in USD.

BASE

$145 @ 150 MOQ
$135 @ 250 MOQ

MOMIJI

$31 @ 100 MOQ
$26 @ 150 MOQ

SAKURA

$26 @ 250 MOQ

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V E N D O R S

North America
Switchmod.net

Asia/Australia
zFrontier

Europe
TBD

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T I M E L I N E
(bold/pink means current)

March 3, 2018 - Heisei Update #1: Interest check open.
April 2018 - Heisei Update #2: Renders. Pricing. Interest check still open.
May 2018 - IC progress update/check-in.
June 1, 2018 - GROUP BUY OPEN
July 7, 2018 - GROUP BUY CLOSE

Production Estimate: 12 weeks from PO submission.

Delivery Estimate: TBD
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C O N T A C T  M E

Geekhack: PM
Discord: zekkin#0001
Reddit: /u/hjunkin0

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INTEREST CHECK FORM HERE

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Past updates:

More

Hi everyone!

This set came around in a pretty not exciting way, but I'll share regardless; I wasn't a fan of GMK 9009 when I first saw it -- I couldn't understand why anyone would pay $x for keycaps. I've since realized the error of my ways, paid dumb aftermarket pricing for 9009, and have been happy since.

I have one other keyset and that's Originative's Modern Beige (w/ black English legends and black Japanese sublegends). It's a close second to 9009 for me. I thought to myself, why not combine the two? I swapped the alphas of Modern Beige with 9009 but couldn't get over using ABS and PBT at the same time, so I scrapped that idea. Now that Laser has happened anyone should be able to make use of the doubleshot hiragana molds. And that brings me now -- I've bounced this idea around the mechkeys Discord and have gotten relatively positive feedback so I figured why not see what the community has to say.

With that being said, I bring to you: GMK Heisei.

3/11/2018 Update:

Amnesia, kinda to my surprise, rendered up Heisei w/ Momiji accents on a concept board. I'm actually sort of blown away by the color synergy -- I wanted to offer something other than pink so I originally chose red because I thought it'd fit the theme. Red really gives the set a necessary pop, similar to what the 9009 accents did for what would have otherwise been a generic beige set.



Smol update: he did Sakura too!



Truth be told, I was leaning towards wanting Sakura for myself but the Momiji render has me rethinking that.

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks, my friends!

INTEREST CHECK FORM HERE

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Older Updates:

More

3/3/2018 Update

NEW NEW NEW HOTNESS ALERT!

My Photoshop mockup is complete! This represents the all-but-final base kit and not-final-at-all accent kit (there can only be one).

More

2/26/2018 Update

NEW NEW HOTNESS ALERT!



I'll be updating this picture throughout the coming days. Hold on to your butts.

More to come.

More

12/22/2017 Update

New GMK Mockup Hotness (thanks again to Kafka)



Note: The 9009 colors will not be included. This is just to give you an idea of what my goal is.

Old and Busted KLE Screenshot:



(I'll try to get a mockup from the new render website that everyone's using lately.) Just kidding apparently kbrenders was shut down. If anyone wants to donate a render that'd be saweet.

The pink keys below the main set will either be part of the main set or be part of a "Sakura Accent Kit" to keep with the Japanese theme. I toyed with the idea of having a matching "Matcha Accent Kit" but thought that would just make this set a Japanese 9009, which I'm not too into. That being said, the colors of this set are the exact same as 9009 (L9 alphas, U9 mods). Let's just say this set is 9009 inspired. As for icon/text mods, I'm thinking bottom row text modifiers, navigation cluster text modifiers, everything else icon modifiers.

Right now the pink accents are #CC8DA3 -- I tried playing with other GMK colors (MG1 was too dark) but I only have KLE at my disposal. If I'm not mistaken, custom colors drive up cost, so if possible I'd want to avoid that. Please give me correct info if I'm mistaken!!

More

Here's a photoshopped render from GMK to give people a better idea:

More

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Other details:

• Cost:  Given the exchange rate changes over the last few months, please prepare for a higher price than usual. I will not speculate and not give any numbers until GMK has given them to me.
• Timeline: The original plan was (and still is) to run this in the second half of the year. More information on timeline in the next update; for now refer to the list below to see where we're at for this set.
• Vendor: Krelbit of Switchmod.net originally offered to help me run this back when I first thought of this set and has said he will still do so.
• Proxies: More info next update.

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Timeline Breakdown (Updated 3/3/2018):

• March 3, 2018 - Heisei Update #1: Interest check open.
• April 2018 - Heisei Update #2: Renders. Pricing. Interest check still open.
• May 2018 - TBD

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How to reach me:

• PM on Geekhack
• PM on Reddit (/u/hjunkin0)
• PM me on Discord (@zekkin#4763)

Feedback is always welcome. I'm really looking forward to making this set happen with you all.

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Indefinitely on hold.

[cdn-mini]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

[LightningXI]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

GMK for life.

+1 to this set. Simple and appealing.

[megaforce]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

Because everything else is trash.

[zekkin]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

cherry profile is my life

[kawasaki161]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

Okay you are right, let's do this in SA, ETA end of 2022  )

[Ponkan]

I'm so down for this! Perfect for my pink board!

[duynguyenle]

GEEZUS, another GMK set? why? why? please tell me why so much GMK love?

GMK is the most comfortable profile for a lot of people. The height and curvature are just perfect (compared to OEM which is trash, too tall and not enough of a scoop to the keytops)

[aznreaper]

I'm in, would love myself some Weeb 9009

[Traveler]

(I'll try to get a mockup from the new render website that everyone's using lately.)

I've got some sad news: that site shut down recently due to server costs. Sorry!

Good luck though. I'm personally not in the market for another keyset but it does look nice.

[zekkin]

(I'll try to get a mockup from the new render website that everyone's using lately.)

I've got some sad news: that site shut down recently due to server costs. Sorry!

Good luck though. I'm personally not in the market for another keyset but it does look nice.

Yeah...for now I'll just work with KLE and if the set starts picking up steam I'll reach out to some people.

Keep the feedback coming!

[ghostdeini]

Definitely interested! I love the simple colors and the small size of the hiragana characters. It's like a perfect simple canvas which you can accent with your artisans.

[nguyenhimself]

OK, so why this instead of Modern Beige or EnjoyPBT? Is it only for the smooth ABS surface while at the same time having to suffer the imminent ABS shining?

Genuine question. i totally get paying extra for colorful GMK sets like Laser (in fact, I did just that), but for beige? Why not dye-sub PBT?

[___q]

yeah id buy this

I would prefer just an alphas kit since beige alphas work with so many preexisting sets, but a full set is fine too.

[Kafka]

If anyone is curious how GMK L9 alphas will look with weeb subs, here you go:

[pradshaw89]

I'm up for any keyset with Japanese characters.

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

I'm up for any keyset with Japanese characters.

Well color me surprised. 

[pwade3]

There's always http://kle-render.herokuapp.com/

It's not as good as kbrenders, but I used it to mock up a set I'm working on, and it does pretty well, you've just gotta make sure profiles and such are assigned in the KLE.

[zekkin]

If anyone is curious how GMK L9 alphas will look with weeb subs, here you go:

(Attachment Link)

Thanks for this.

Kafka also sent me a mock up using a GMK render he had previously gotten. I've added it to the original post.

There's always http://kle-render.herokuapp.com/

It's not as good as kbrenders, but I used it to mock up a set I'm working on, and it does pretty well, you've just gotta make sure profiles and such are assigned in the KLE.

KLE doesn't do too well with Japanese sublegends nor does it do too well with Cherry profile.

[zekkin]

Definitely interested! I love the simple colors and the small size of the hiragana characters. It's like a perfect simple canvas which you can accent with your artisans.

Size of the sublegends will match up with Laser.

[sncbraxsc2]

OK, so why this instead of Modern Beige or EnjoyPBT? Is it only for the smooth ABS surface while at the same time having to suffer the imminent ABS shining?

Genuine question. i totally get paying extra for colorful GMK sets like Laser (in fact, I did just that), but for beige? Why not dye-sub PBT?

My thought is probably that both Enjoy PBT and Modern Beige had similar sets already run. One of my favorite things about 9009 that those PBT sets didn't have though, was the icon only mods. I could be interested in a PBT set with that implemented.

[zekkin]

OK, so why this instead of Modern Beige or EnjoyPBT? Is it only for the smooth ABS surface while at the same time having to suffer the imminent ABS shining?

Genuine question. i totally get paying extra for colorful GMK sets like Laser (in fact, I did just that), but for beige? Why not dye-sub PBT?

My thought is probably that both Enjoy PBT and Modern Beige had similar sets already run. One of my favorite things about 9009 that those PBT sets didn't have though, was the icon only mods. I could be interested in a PBT set with that implemented.

This to some extent. Modern Beige ran again (and will probably be stocked within the next few weeks) through Originative, so if you'd like PBT then that's the way to go. Sony (Discord admin) made an IC recently for a EnjoyPBT monolegend set (just hiragana) with icon mods, so check that out as well.

While icon mods are also a part of it, another is that I'm a big fan of doubleshot ABS. It feels good (she thicc), the colors possible are much better than w/ PBT (see jchan's PBT9009 for this), and I (and many others) really don't mind some shine.

[sncbraxsc2]

OK, so why this instead of Modern Beige or EnjoyPBT? Is it only for the smooth ABS surface while at the same time having to suffer the imminent ABS shining?

Genuine question. i totally get paying extra for colorful GMK sets like Laser (in fact, I did just that), but for beige? Why not dye-sub PBT?

My thought is probably that both Enjoy PBT and Modern Beige had similar sets already run. One of my favorite things about 9009 that those PBT sets didn't have though, was the icon only mods. I could be interested in a PBT set with that implemented.

This to some extent. Modern Beige ran again (and will probably be stocked within the next few weeks) through Originative, so if you'd like PBT then that's the way to go. Sony (Discord admin) made an IC recently for a EnjoyPBT monolegend set (just hiragana) with icon mods, so check that out as well.

While icon mods are also a part of it, another is that I'm a big fan of doubleshot ABS. It feels good (she thicc), the colors possible are much better than w/ PBT (see jchan's PBT9009 for this), and I (and many others) really don't mind some shine.

Thank you for the reference zekkin!

I missed this in the OP,

"As for icon/text mods, I'm thinking bottom row text modifiers, navigation cluster text modifiers, everything else icon modifiers"

I think that will look best!   

[OmegaSupreme]

I’m definitely in for the base set. But I’m not too fond of the accent set.

[FoC_Tow]

Count me in bb.

[zekkin]

Count me in bb.

Thanks friend! I'm hoping to make this set a reality.

[Chromatrope]

I am all for a nice Hiragana set, but to have a Sakura accent kit without flowery novelties, that's a crime against humanity. Would be a lot more interested with some of those.

[norbauer]

Love it. I'm down.

[_PixelNinja]

Like the design, really not into the name though...

[zekkin]

Like the design, really not into the name though...

Feel free to suggest different names

[zekkin]

Update in the main post! New render! Give me feedback!

[kawasaki161]

Just tell me what to throw my money at (and when because I'm poorboye and have to save up lol).

[megaforce]

yes pls

[nickysan92]

Pls gib.

[Vigrith]

I feel like with 9009 R2 having just been ran this may be a double edged sword but I do like it - if I didn't know any better I'd ask you to offer the alphas in a separate kit so that people with classic beige, retro and 9009 could just buy those but I do know better, so I will not.

[zekkin]

Like the design, really not into the name though...

I feel like with 9009 R2 having just been ran this may be a double edged sword but I do like it - if I didn't know any better I'd ask you to offer the alphas in a separate kit so that people with classic beige, retro and 9009 could just buy those but I do know better, so I will not.

Given these two responses I thought it was about time to make a google form so I can assess the real interest.

Interest Check Form Here

[Tree_]

This is some real hot trash - I'd keep the name and run the set in full as someone who doesn't have any of the sets an alpha kit would fit with.

[Dead Encryption]

Like the design, really not into the name though...

I feel like with 9009 R2 having just been ran this may be a double edged sword but I do like it - if I didn't know any better I'd ask you to offer the alphas in a separate kit so that people with classic beige, retro and 9009 could just buy those but I do know better, so I will not.

Given these two responses I thought it was about time to make a google form so I can assess the real interest.

Interest Check Form Here

Filled out the form, hope this set comes to life as well!

[Puddsy]

that's rather a thick render...

[Kafka]

that's rather a thick render...

Its just 9009 with replaced alphas, I doubt he will include all those keys in the final kit.

[zekkin]

that's rather a thick render...

Its just 9009 with replaced alphas, I doubt he will include all those keys in the final kit.

Yeah, mostly just to give an idea of what things will look like.

[Dead Encryption]

I do like the green modifiers though. Pink just isn't my style, I didn't think about it, but was hoping we would get pink and another color as well.

[zekkin]

I've been thinking about titles and I'm thinking about and seriously considering GMK Heisei.

Heisei refers to the current era of the Japanese calendar, which in turn refers to the current emperor of the country. We will enter into a new era once Akihito (said current emperor) abdicates and his son, Naruhito, takes the throne.

What do you guys think?

[_rubik]

I've been thinking about titles and I'm thinking about and seriously considering GMK Heisei.

Heisei refers to the current era of the Japanese calendar, which in turn refers to the current emperor of the country. We will enter into a new era once Akihito (said current emperor) abdicates and his son, Naruhito, takes the throne.

What do you guys think?

I love that idea. Would Shōwa be more fitting, considering we're calling this weeb 'retro'? That being said, Heisei started in '89. Either way, the new title is great!

[zekkin]

It's official! This set is now GMK Heisei.

[ideus]

I suggest you to add a row three back slash and pipe. It looks very nice and it is a novel and unique approach on a beloved color way. It should get a lot of attention. Have you considered Yuri's icons?

[zekkin]

I suggest you to add a row three back slash and pipe. It looks very nice and it is a novel and unique approach on a beloved color way. It should get a lot of attention. Have you considered Yuri's icons?

I'll look into the R3 backslash and pipe.

The only icon mods that'll be in this set will be what is offered with 9009 (i.e. shift, enter, tab, backspace, caps lock). All bottom row and navigation cluster mods will be text only.

[Kafka]

Always GMK Weeb in my heart, also yuri icons are super unpleasant imo

[Sylvestyeo]

I'd tap that! literally.

[ideus]

I suggest you to add a row three back slash and pipe. It looks very nice and it is a novel and unique approach on a beloved color way. It should get a lot of attention. Have you considered Yuri's icons?

I'll look into the R3 backslash and pipe.

The only icon mods that'll be in this set will be what is offered with 9009 (i.e. shift, enter, tab, backspace, caps lock). All bottom row and navigation cluster mods will be text only.

It makes total sense to keep the classic feeling.