Picked up a dolch keyboard, what are chances it's cherry?

[bexleycorona]

I just picked this up on the auction website and it's from a PAC 65. From what I've read PAC 65 had a transition to sliders. Judging by the depth of the keycaps and colors would this have vintage blues? Any advice is appreciated!

[jaffers]

100% it's cherry, blues? Don't know, you can't tell from just looking at it, you've got to take a keycap off. Probably has blues, its a dolch after all https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_G80-1813

[bexleycorona]

Unfortunately due to thanksgiving break I won't get it until early December. Guess I'll wait and see what happens.

[merlin64]

I've got the same one, it's the Cherry vintage blues. The shade of the blue stem is lighter/neon than the current ones.

[jaffers]

I've got the same one, it's the Cherry vintage blues. The shade of the blue stem is lighter/neon than the current ones.

Interesting, are there any other differences in the switches aside from the stem colour? Perhaps slight differences to housing style?

[Tangtawan]

what are the differences between vintage MX Blues and the one currently in the market.

[jerue]

PAC 65's were a mixed bag, some were the older style and used MX blues and others were the slimmer rubber dome version. Based on the photo above I am positive that is the older MX version, but pull a keycap off to confirm.

what are the differences between vintage MX Blues and the one currently in the market.

To me, vintage mx blues have a slightly smoother feel and the sound of the click is more consistent. I also don't experience the hysteresis problem as much as modern blues, but that could be me.

davkol did an excellent comparison, click here

[dorkvader]

I hated the dolch "vintage" blues, especially with a stainless steel plate installed and replaced them with modern ones. They felt a little "softer" and with more of a muted click.

anyway, really old dolch used cherry black (and had different keycap colour), the really common dolch pac64 and 65 used blue, and modern dolch used either Ml or RD, I forget which. Yours s cherry, just looking at the-shape of the keycaps as has bene said.

[bexleycorona]

I hated the dolch "vintage" blues, especially with a stainless steel plate installed and replaced them with modern ones. They felt a little "softer" and with more of a muted click.

anyway, really old dolch used cherry black (and had different keycap colour), the really common dolch pac64 and 65 used blue, and modern dolch used either Ml or RD, I forget which. Yours s cherry, just looking at the-shape of the keycaps as has bene said.

Fantastic, I was really worried I might have bought the wrong keyboard.

[Ail]

Edit: Not sure how my PM reply ended up on your thread. 

[nubbinator]

I hated the dolch "vintage" blues, especially with a stainless steel plate installed and replaced them with modern ones. They felt a little "softer" and with more of a muted click.

anyway, really old dolch used cherry black (and had different keycap colour), the really common dolch pac64 and 65 used blue, and modern dolch used either Ml or RD, I forget which. Yours s cherry, just looking at the-shape of the keycaps as has bene said.

On the other hand, I felt that they were vastly superior to modern Blues and far more consistent.

[katushkin]

It will have an MX Green spacebar switch probably.

The controllers on these are fantastic. You should take it apart and look at the insides, they are really interesting in comparison with new boards.

[bexleycorona]

It got delivered today. Had no idea USPS delivered on Sundays!

These blues do feel different.

[bexleycorona]

Ugh, it looks like the + keycap isn't standard. Would I most likely only be able to use this on a TKL board?

[keykaiser]

Is that a trackpoint on upper right corner?

[ghostjuggernaut]

Ugh, it looks like the + keycap isn't standard. Would I most likely only be able to use this on a TKL board?

You would need a compatibility kit in order to use it on a modern TKL. You should be able to use it on a WKL TKL, but will need to find a right shift. Pretty much 1800 sets are only good for 1800 boards.

[bexleycorona]

Is that a trackpoint on upper right corner?

Yes, it is.

Does that make you hot and bothered?

[bexleycorona]

Are the trackpad PAC 65 variations more desirable?

What's the safest way to clean the keycaps?

[merlin64]

Buy some dental tabs from the grocery store and mix them in a solution of lukewarm water and keycaps. Wait 20-30 minutes, and rinse them. Best way to clean keycaps, and legos.

[jcoffin1981]

Are the trackpad PAC 65 variations more desirable?

What's the safest way to clean the keycaps?

I soak them in luke warm soapy water for about 10 minutes and swish them around.  A pint glass works well.  This is probably the most thorough.  You can also use windex (ammonia free) and lens paper or laboratory wipes.  I actually use Glass Plus as it's difficult to find ammonia free windex.  This is very mild and helps to cut through grime.