Let's get it out of the way: I do not have the budget you guys have. I can't do group buys, or justify spending hundreds on Any portion of a keyboard. If this sounds overly defensive i am sorry but I've recently been burned by several 'open and friendly' communities where I will outright go 'Hey. this is my budget. This is the board I'm picking as a starting point. Which of THESE things would make the most impact so I can make the best use of avalible funds.'
'LOL that is ewaste'
When said board is, as far as I'm aware, seen as a popular entry point and, worse off, the subject of one youtber's 'Here is a good cheap hundred dollar budget build.'
What I have bought is branded as a GK61, but this one is fully prebuilt so I do not know if it's a knockoff. Only that the deal looked good enough for me to jump on based on reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYHPCHDI'm probably going to pick up heavier springs. Whether that's for a total replacement, or just for select keys is yet to be determined:
Roadmap:
Figure out what key caps I want, as that is a definite 'I want something that is... Me.' It'll probably be a bash of several sets pieced together as opposed to going all in on a bespoke thing. Bright red esc key is a definite. the rest is somewhat malliable, though I do want a stepped capslock, white/off white quirty segment. Number row, shift, windows keys grey. Ctrl Alt Fn keys black. Prefer a rounded 'terminal keyboard' style key shape. No idea what profile would be best given the base is, at least at stock, a plank.
I want varying switches throughout. Specifics depend on what research tells me on long/stepp/graidant springs, and switch details. However I want caps lock to be a VERY heavy key. Talking hundred and fifty gram heavy. Shift/Ctrol/Alt/Fn having a tactility to them, QWERTY being the lightest on the board, space being heavie, or at least having a more authoritative solidity. Definitely will play about with foam and fill for the space bar.
My stepdad has a fairly well kitted shop of tools. I am half tempted to see if he can help me build a custom case including a lid that attache via magnates when traveling. That is a VERY long term plan though.
Hell. all of this is long term. By nessecity any changes are slow and piecemiel. Springs here. Lube and strips there, etc etc.
Am I being overly ambitious?