Alps Appreciation Thread

[mike52787]

If any of you guys are still looking for blue alps, The taobao seller just listed another blue alps board. Where the hell is this guy getting all these boards?
https://world.taobao.com/item/529535754025.htm?fromSite=main

[E3E]

I mean, it is China. Blue Alps is probably a lot more common in some parts over there. I personally wonder how it'd be in Taiwan itself, the motherland for so many Alps boards back in the day.
 
SKCL Green are also incredibly common in Asia, they were pretty much the preferred switch type of most of East Asia's Alps boards.

[klennkellon]

Yeah I thought that too, I think ALPS were and have been more popular in the East than the West being an eastern company and all of that.

We got "stuck" with the Model M's xD

[mike52787]

Lmao no we were stuck with all the cherry bull**** and all the rubberdomes )

[Hak Foo]

https://world.taobao.com/item/520706952249.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.13.ZK7dtJ&id=520706952249&scm=1007.12006.12548.i37835460918&pvid=cfd1824e-112f-42cf-a444-a3eb42a06a1a

o.O reen Alps in a Sun layout with some gorgeous Futura cap lettering.  I wonder what it originally was-- there weren't that many aftermarket Sun boards.

[mike52787]

you have no idea how I want one of those alps sun boards.I wonder if the plate will fit in a sun type 5 case.

[E3E]

https://world.taobao.com/item/520706952249.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.13.ZK7dtJ&id=520706952249&scm=1007.12006.12548.i37835460918&pvid=cfd1824e-112f-42cf-a444-a3eb42a06a1a

o.O reen Alps in a Sun layout with some gorgeous Futura cap lettering.  I wonder what it originally was-- there weren't that many aftermarket Sun boards.

That's an amazing layout, wow! Haha. I really like it; I wonder if this one is functional, given its state. Definitely a cool board for someone to grab.

[Mattr567]

Ordered my NeXT converter from Hasu 

[E3E]

So here's my -custom- Alps collection that I've amassed over the past year, aside from the very last one which I sold. It was falling out of favor anyway, but I showed it a lot of love before selling it.



My heavyweight Alps TKL with its tenkey Alps companion. Blue Alps + Brown Linear Alps for indicators. Hot swap modded. The Lightpad has a carbon fiber plate. Dyed Dell AT101 PBT key caps.




The Retro-Modern: My NCR with a Leeku 3000 PCB with Alps compatibility. Using a modified Acer 6011 plate  for mounting the switches. Brown Linear Alps. Full backlighting. FAME Cherry-profile Alps caps.



One of my Duck Eagles in an FMJ design #1 case. Alpine Winter. SKCM (tactile) Brown. Hot swap modded. Carbon fiber plate. Gold plated Cherry stabs.



The Duck Eagle I built first: Genuine Hammer case, caps from a korean-made Visual board and Badwrench's Alps DCS mod. Same mods as above, carbon fiber plate. SKCL Green, backlit.



And my first Alps custom-ish board, the Infinity whose case I painted up. This one can actually take Alps switches without soldering, which was one of the inspirations for hot swap modding my other boards (used holtite sockets).

Sold though. This board gave me RSI when I was using it with SKCM Orange. Case was way too stiff.


Anyway, that's my Alps custom collection. Just felt like posting it. I mainly did the hot swap mod was for longevity of my boards and so I could always swap switches if I got bored of a certain type. Also, it was just a cool mod to do, really. Also, making a complicated Alps bid with backlighting was just a neat concept to me.

The NCR is the only custom Alps board that's soldered, all the rest are solderless because of the socket mods.

[Mattr567]

Amazing work my friend.

[Mattr567]

Just found a Wang 725-3770 on Texas craigslist. That would be a even better candidate for a SKCM Blue swap...Will contact him.

[Wingpad]

Just found a Wang 725-3770 on Texas craigslist. That would be a even better candidate for a SKCM Blue swap...Will contact him.

Good luck with getting that! All I've ever found on craigslist were a bunch of old rubber dome Triad Systems keyboards... so you got lucky

How goes your restoration work with the SKCM Blues? With minimal lubing mine feel pretty decent and rather smooth; however, they feel heavier than the mint SKCM Blues I pulled from a Leading Edge board and closer to Montery Blues than SKCM Blues (in other words, better than SKCM Whites but you don't feel like you're typing on a cloud of clicky, smooth air).

[Mattr567]

Just found a Wang 725-3770 on Texas craigslist. That would be a even better candidate for a SKCM Blue swap...Will contact him.

Good luck with getting that! All I've ever found on craigslist were a bunch of old rubber dome Triad Systems keyboards... so you guy lucky

How goes your restoration work with the SKCM Blues? With minimal lubing mine feel pretty decent and rather smooth; however, they feel heavier than the mint SKCM Blues I pulled from a Leading Edge board and closer to Montery Blues than SKCM Blues (in other words, better than SKCM Whites but you don't feel like you're typing on a cloud of clicky, smooth air).

Well I got the guy down to $40 for it and he seems willing to ship it so I think I got it! Hoping for SKCM Salmons/SKCL Yellow's since I already have a Orange board and pine SKCM Black is meh. Although I won't have enough SKCM Blue switches for it. About 15 short. Either way excited for it. Cool design, in cap lock lights, Alps dyesubs with blue double dyesub printing, deep dish homing keys and a speaker beeper? Hell yea!

Its been on hold since I need to go get the lube lol, after that I need to lube the top housings of the SKCL Greens and lube the Blues.

[E3E]

Good luck with getting that! All I've ever found on craigslist were a bunch of old rubber dome Triad Systems keyboards... so you guy lucky

How goes your restoration work with the SKCM Blues? With minimal lubing mine feel pretty decent and rather smooth; however, they feel heavier than the mint SKCM Blues I pulled from a Leading Edge board and closer to Montery Blues than SKCM Blues (in other words, better than SKCM Whites but you don't feel like you're typing on a cloud of clicky, smooth air).

Well, I believe that there are some batches of SKCM Blues that are slightly heavier/lighter than others. I've typed on batches that have felt very airy and others that are a bit more stiff.  Perhaps spring wear contributes to a lightening up of the switches? Either way, I've always felt like there was a bit of variation when it comes to SKCM Blues. I've never had any dirty batches either, so it's not that.

One interesting little thing to mention is that I use a SKCL Brown spring for the space bar on my Orion.  Now, I'm fine with using the typical standard blue Alps weighting for a space bar on all of my vintages, and even some other customs I used SKCM Blue in, but after getting used to the weighting with my Orion, anything less just feels awkward.

I tried a spring from SKCM Salmon, which are about 10 g lighter than the SKCL Brown spring, but it still felt off.

[E3E]

This is probably the thickest Alps cap I've ever seen:



On the left is a Multistation spherical, on the right is a spherical key cap from an unknown board. This came with my set of Multistation caps, but it is certainly not from the IBM Multistation.

[chyros]

Holy Jesus, MAry and Joseph, some people would pay a handsome sum for a set like that xD .

[fohat.digs]

pay a handsome sum for a set like that

No way to piece together a proper set of those. At best the alphas and a handful of random odd matches.

[chyros]

pay a handsome sum for a set like that

No way to piece together a proper set of those. At best the alphas and a handful of random odd matches.

Maybe enough for a 60%? That's what everyone seems to use nowadays anyway xD .

[E3E]

pay a handsome sum for a set like that

No way to piece together a proper set of those. At best the alphas and a handful of random odd matches.

Maybe enough for a 60%? That's what everyone seems to use nowadays anyway xD .

Hold on there, my fellows!

We'd have to identify what BOARD they come from first. That cap did not come from the IBM Multistation. 

The key itself is a . Del key from a number pad.

[Mattr567]

Holy **** thats one thick keycap. How does it feel? Maybe you can ask who sold the caps to you to figure out what board it came from.

[emdude]

Well, I went ahead and bought another SGI Granite, bit of an impulse buy, but I guess I can use it for a project like a switch swap or something.  At the very least I'll  have an extra set of them nice SGI caps.

[Wingpad]

Well, I went ahead and bought another SGI Granite, bit of an impulse buy, but I guess I can use it for a project like a switch swap or something.  At the very least I'll  have an extra set of them nice SGI caps.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find yours? I saw one on eBay and that one is gone now so that would be my guess. I am looking for one for similar purposes. In any case, nice find!

[emdude]

Thanks!  Yes, that's the one, it seemed to be reasonably priced so I thought I might as well.

I actually only have the set of SGI key caps so I'm getting the keyboard to also experiment with swapping the dampened sliders with the ones in my brown Alps.  I recall reading that the force curve of brown Alps is rounded like that of Topre switches; I have not tried Topre at all, but I wonder if using dampened sliders will produce something that feels similar.

I imagine E3E or Jacobolus has performed such an experiment already so I'd be curious to hear their thoughts on it.

[E3E]

Thanks!  Yes, that's the one, it seemed to be reasonably priced so I thought I might as well.

I actually only have the set of SGI key caps so I'm getting the keyboard to also experiment with swapping the dampened sliders with the ones in my brown Alps.  I recall reading that the force curve of brown Alps is rounded like that of Topre switches; I have not tried Topre at all, but I wonder if using dampened sliders will produce something that feels similar.

I imagine E3E or Jacobolus has performed such an experiment already so I'd be curious to hear their thoughts on it.

I have tried Topre and I can say that SKCM Green and SKCM Brown are very much what I'd imagine Topre making if they used discrete mechanical switches.

I have tried putting a dampened slider into an SKCM Brown housing, and the effect is feel that is VERY similar to Topre. I know many would kind of avoid this since the SKCM Damped switches don't have the best rep or even that nice of a color (imo), but combining them with tactile browns is great.

Here's a video of someone who tested this exact thing:

[emdude]

Thanks for the video, very intriguing.  If I like how it feels and whatnot, I might actually end up incorporating the dampened sliders into my future brown Alps build.

[Mattr567]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

[mrbishop]

ugh this just makes me want JPN caps more 

[chyros]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

I think only very early ones had oranges and greens tbh, but who knows .

[Mattr567]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

I think only very early ones had oranges and greens tbh, but who knows .

Who knows Kinda hoping for a salmon/yellow board since I already have a orange board. Looking at pics of salmon and black boards they don't mention XT while the orange boards I found online do mention it so at least it's not a late one. Maybe a early salmon/green board perhaps.

[mike52787]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

I think only very early ones had oranges and greens tbh, but who knows .

Who knows Kinda hoping for a salmon/yellow board since I already have a orange board. Looking at pics of salmon and black boards they don't mention XT while the orange boards I found online do mention it so at least it's not a late one. Maybe a early salmon/green board perhaps.

yall are making me want a wang so bad (no homo lmao)

[Mattr567]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

I think only very early ones had oranges and greens tbh, but who knows .

Who knows Kinda hoping for a salmon/yellow board since I already have a orange board. Looking at pics of salmon and black boards they don't mention XT while the orange boards I found online do mention it so at least it's not a late one. Maybe a early salmon/green board perhaps.

yall are making me want a wang so bad (no homo lmao)

Cool design and layout, in cap lock lights, Alps dyesubs with blue double dyesub printing, deep dish homing keys and a speaker

[mike52787]

The Wang 725-3770 is mine $40 Looks to have SKCM Orange/SKCL Green from the rear label since it mentions IBM XT, AT and PS/2 compatibility.

I think only very early ones had oranges and greens tbh, but who knows .

Who knows Kinda hoping for a salmon/yellow board since I already have a orange board. Looking at pics of salmon and black boards they don't mention XT while the orange boards I found online do mention it so at least it's not a late one. Maybe a early salmon/green board perhaps.

yall are making me want a wang so bad (no homo lmao)

Cool design and layout, in cap lock lights, Alps dyesubs with blue double dyesub printing, deep dish homing keys and a speaker

now youre just rubbing it in.  whats not to love?

[E3E]

Cool design and layout, in cap lock lights, Alps dyesubs with blue double dyesub printing, deep dish homing keys and a speaker

Deep dish? That's for sphericals man, cylindrical caps have SCOOPS. GET IT RIGHT. 

Congrats though. People pay a lot of money for their Wangs more often than not. You've skated by with your Wang. People dream of Wangs for $40 shipped.

I don't know though, it might just be me, but I find Wangs to look a little weird.

[emdude]

I think they are pretty nice-looking boards, marred only by their extra-long right modifiers. 

[mike52787]

I think they are pretty nice-looking boards, marred only by their extra-long right modifiers. 

I am very used to non standard modifiers now thanks to my f xt, so a layout like the wang has would feel refreshingly normal.

[E3E]

I think they are pretty nice-looking boards, marred only by their extra-long right modifiers. 

The layout is a little eccentric, and I'm not sure why, but they are certainly usable, but then that's subjective. I mean, Model F pattern boards are usable too. At least the Wang is closer to ANSI.

[Mattr567]

Cool design and layout, in cap lock lights, Alps dyesubs with blue double dyesub printing, deep dish homing keys and a speaker

Deep dish? That's for sphericals man, cylindrical caps have SCOOPS. GET IT RIGHT. 

Congrats though. People pay a lot of money for their Wangs more often than not. You've skated by with your Wang. People dream of Wangs for $40 shipped.

I don't know though, it might just be me, but I find Wangs to look a little weird.

Lol didn't know the difference. Yea I was surprised to find one. Took so much craigslist-fu to find it. Originally wanted 60 but got him down and willing to ship The same guy is also selling a '95 Model M.

I think they are pretty nice-looking boards, marred only by their extra-long right modifiers. 

The layout is a little eccentric, and I'm not sure why, but they are certainly usable, but then that's subjective. I mean, Model F pattern boards are usable too. At least the Wang is closer to ANSI.

It's pretty ANSI imo. Just some extra keys and a couple movements like prtsrc and pause/break

[E3E]

Functionally, yeah. It's similar enough. I was never the biggest fan of its looks myself, but it definitely is built with quality in mind.

[emdude]

I think they are pretty nice-looking boards, marred only by their extra-long right modifiers. 

The layout is a little eccentric, and I'm not sure why, but they are certainly usable, but then that's subjective. I mean, Model F pattern boards are usable too. At least the Wang is closer to ANSI.

It kinda pains me to look at the layout of the Model F XT, but that's just me.

I generally lean towards more standardized layouts for pragmatic reasons, especially for rarer keyboards.  If you have a favorite board that for whatever reason irreparably breaks, you can just throw the key caps and/or switches on another board or a custom.

That said, I do use boards with silly layouts (*coughapplecough*), but I'd take the good ol' Enhanced 101 (or 103) or 104-key layouts any day.

[klennkellon]

I'm thinking of doing a switch swap on my V80, I love the Matias Quiet Clicks, they're my favorite switch so far, but I'm a sucker for a good sounding switch so I've been wanting to switch swap to one of the original SKCM tactile switches.

What do you guys recommend I swap the switches for if I like the Matias?

[emdude]

Well, if you like both the sound and feel of the Matias QCs then SKCM Cream Damped or White Damped switches would be the obvious choice here.

Otherwise, SKCM Oranges or Salmons if you want something that isn't dampened.

[mike52787]

Well, if you like both the sound and feel of the Matias QCs then SKCM Cream Damped or White Damped switches would be the obvious choice here.

Otherwise, SKCM Oranges or Salmons if you want something that isn't dampened.

regular skcm cream kicks ass, I cant see how you didnt put that on your non damped list

[emdude]

Ah, perhaps I should have mentioned it, but I only included switches that can be found on relatively common boards that one wouldn't feel bad about tearing apart.  I wouldn't put something like the Next keyboard on that list.

[mike52787]

Ah, perhaps I should have mentioned it, but I only included switches that can be found on relatively common boards that one wouldn't feel bad about tearing apart.  I wouldn't put something like the Next keyboard on that list.

neXt boards can be had for <40$ on ebay, I would call them common. I still need to build a converter for mine though.

[emdude]

Isn't that just one guy selling a stash of boards that's slowly drying up though?  Looks like he has one more of the okay condition ones left.  If klennkellon wants one, he'd better grab one now.

[mike52787]

Isn't that just one guy selling a stash of boards that's slowly drying up though?  Looks like he has one more of the okay condition ones left.  If klennkellon wants one, he'd better grab one now.

yeah, I think its just that one guy but there was like 25+ boards that he had

[Wingpad]

Lol didn't know the difference. Yea I was surprised to find one. Took so much craigslist-fu to find it. Originally wanted 60 but got him down and willing to ship The same guy is also selling a '95 Model M.

I actually found it really quickly, that exact listing too no less, haha. He has a model 724 wang up there now, sent him an email about it (yours was a model 725, right?). There are sites that will let you do a national craigslist search and typing in "Wang keyboard" brought it up in seconds.

[emdude]

I think the "725"s are branded as Model 724 on the back of the keyboard so that's probably the one he got.

[Mattr567]

Lol didn't know the difference. Yea I was surprised to find one. Took so much craigslist-fu to find it. Originally wanted 60 but got him down and willing to ship The same guy is also selling a '95 Model M.

I actually found it really quickly, that exact listing too no less, haha. He has a model 724 wang up there now, sent him an email about it (yours was a model 725, right?). There are sites that will let you do a national craigslist search and typing in "Wang keyboard" brought it up in seconds.

Wait dude! 724=725! Don't mess things up. I got him lower so don't want him to sell it to you for full price!

[Wingpad]

Wait dude! 724=725! Don't mess things up. I got him lower so don't want him to sell it to you for full price!

Whoops, nevermind, just sent him an email saying I bought one for less on eBay. Wouldn't want to swipe that out from under you.

EDIT: I actually found it a few days ago and emailed him then. Never heard back from him so I think you're safe.