Alps Appreciation Thread

[E3E]

I'll just leave this here...

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I counted 146 in this video and they look like bamboo SKCM Green to me, but I can't wait to see how many you really have and if they are pine or not or even perhaps a mix.

I know several parts vendors have SKCMAT and that seems to be one of the only Alps switches that can be found in such a manner, which is weird considering how rare they are. They aren't cheap though.
I wonder if this was a donation! Chyros, you're usually very very frugal with spending, so if you shelled out, like $200+ for these, I'd be VERY surprised, haha.

Really? Do you have a link?

A search for SKCMAT on google will turn up some results. Go down that rabbit hole and I'm pretty sure you'll find some. :)

[Mattr567]

I'll just leave this here...

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I counted 146 in this video and they look like bamboo SKCM Green to me, but I can't wait to see how many you really have and if they are pine or not or even perhaps a mix.

I know several parts vendors have SKCMAT and that seems to be one of the only Alps switches that can be found in such a manner, which is weird considering how rare they are. They aren't cheap though.
I wonder if this was a donation! Chyros, you're usually very very frugal with spending, so if you shelled out, like $200+ for these, I'd be VERY surprised, haha.

Really? Do you have a link?

A search for SKCMAT on google will turn up some results. Go down that rabbit hole and I'm pretty sure you'll find some. :)

Found a site, sent them a request for 5 of 'em ;D

Also ordering from Taobao: 5 SKCL Grey's + some weird blank Alps Electric caps? and 5 White Omron B3G-S's. Was originally going for some more but the shipping got too expensive. Stuff like SKFR or SMK MX Mount's, but I don't care about those nearly as much.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Venatorious]

All the places I contacted had them out of stock.  Looks like I was too late 

[Mattr567]

All the places I contacted had them out of stock.  Looks like I was too late 

Huh, my place says they have 45, a different site (that requires a company or something) has like 240 or something. We'll see.

[Blaise170]

I tried Sierra IC but they were out of stock. I'm assuming the same for the other sites as well.

[chyros]

They all come from the same source, which is dry now.

[Venatorious]

Rest in peace my chances of getting neon green Alps

Sent from my ONE E1005 using Tapatalk

[BlueNalgene]

They all come from the same source, which is dry now.

You know they gotta be wondering why they got a bunch of separate orders for those switches.

[chyros]

They all come from the same source, which is dry now.

You know they gotta be wondering why they got a bunch of separate orders for those switches.

I actually mentioned to several vendors that there might be a considerable demand for these switches after I'd buy them in order to try and negotiate a better price for them. Then it turned out all the stock figures the vendors list are made-up and in truth only one supplier stocks these.

[Blaise170]

They all come from the same source, which is dry now.

You know they gotta be wondering why they got a bunch of separate orders for those switches.

I actually mentioned to several vendors that there might be a considerable demand for these switches after I'd buy them in order to try and negotiate a better price for them. Then it turned out all the stock figures the vendors list are made-up and in truth only one supplier stocks these.

If you find a source, let me know.

[Venatorious]

Let me know too 

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

They all come from the same source, which is dry now.

You know they gotta be wondering why they got a bunch of separate orders for those switches.

I actually mentioned to several vendors that there might be a considerable demand for these switches after I'd buy them in order to try and negotiate a better price for them. Then it turned out all the stock figures the vendors list are made-up and in truth only one supplier stocks these.

I think I found the supplier, that have 59 left from the invoice they sent back. They also want $20 A SWITCH Can you help? I only want 5 of 'em

[xixihaha2008]

Does anyone know this board?



It look the same as Leading Edge DC-3014,especially Caps Lock key.

DC-3014  http://zonam.egloos.com/3413724

[mike52787]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

All I know is I want it

[Mattr567]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Nice M8. Alps DS caps and SKCM Blue

[hwood34]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

It look the same as Leading Edge DC-3014,especially Caps Lock key.

DC-3014  http://zonam.egloos.com/3413724

Well it appears to be a well engineered product

[StormyMonday]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

It look the same as Leading Edge DC-3014,especially Caps Lock key.

DC-3014  http://zonam.egloos.com/3413724

Well it appears to be a well engineered product

I second that; it's definitely well engineered!   

In all seriousness (takes all my strength!), that's a very sweet looking board.

[guster11]

So I have finally started cleaning out the lot of AEK's I got a while back, 2 salmon 1 orange. I was going to keep the orange one, but I have really grown to like the salmon and plan on keeping one of those boards.

I liked the orange switches I used a lot in the past but this board felt off, some switches felt sorta sticky like a dirty old rubber dome board. I opened up a few that felt sorta off and they were mostly clean and once reassembled felt the same as before. I noticed however, some switches almost have a click to them, I can't silently actuate them. I haven't opened up those switches yet, but the video below shows the difference in sound. Any ideas on what's going on here?

[E3E]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

It look the same as Leading Edge DC-3014,especially Caps Lock key.

DC-3014  http://zonam.egloos.com/3413724

The top and layout remind me of the NTC 6151N, but the bottom is beyond me. Definitely not a DC-3014 though.

[xixihaha2008]

Does anyone know this board?

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

It look the same as Leading Edge DC-3014,especially Caps Lock key.

DC-3014  http://zonam.egloos.com/3413724

The top and layout remind me of the NTC 6151N, but the bottom is beyond me. Definitely not a DC-3014 though.

The bottom is like IBM Model M style.

[Mattr567]

I have a surprise of my own. (E3E don't spoil it) A rare Focus board is coming in off craigslist

Your going to love it Chyros, knowing your love for Focus stuff

[mike52787]

Just won 2 white alps boards off ebay with doubleshot caps for ~25$ each. There is a omnikey 104 and a fk-2001.

[Mattr567]

Just won 2 white alps boards off ebay with doubleshot caps for ~25$ each. There is a omnikey 101 and a fk-2001.

Nice mate! That Omnikey is a keeper for sure! Some of the best built Alps boards known to man.

[njbair]

Just won 2 white alps boards off ebay with doubleshot caps for ~25$ each. There is a omnikey 104 and a fk-2001.

$25 for an OmniKey is an absolute steal. Congrats!

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

got this for 425 shipped with green alps and double shot caps:

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$425 or 4.25!?

[chyros]

I have a surprise of my own. (E3E don't spoil it) A rare Focus board is coming in off craigslist

Your going to love it Chyros, knowing your love for Focus stuff

Oooh, colour me excited . I love Focus stuff!

[Ogischer]

maybe I should have posted in this thread...
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81879.0

[qazeqaz]

So I am considering getting an Alps KB in a 60% form factor for the Datamancer wood case. Are there any keysets that are available to purchase? I was thinking of buying a Pok3r for the case but I do not have an Alps KB and I thought it would be neat since I like different switches for different purposes.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

I actually mentioned to several vendors that there might be a considerable demand for these switches after I'd buy them in order to try and negotiate a better price for them. Then it turned out all the stock figures the vendors list are made-up and in truth only one supplier stocks these.

MFW the hunt for Neon Green Alps turns into the hunt for IBM 6019284s )

So I am considering getting an Alps KB in a 60% form factor for the Datamancer wood case. Are there any keysets that are available to purchase? I was thinking of buying a Pok3r for the case but I do not have an Alps KB and I thought it would be neat since I like different switches for different purposes.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

For modern layouts? The easiest available board to get in that layout is a V60. I think MK.com still stocks it. Otherwise you'll have to hunt around or wait for a sale of like Tai Hao caps or njbair's SP GB. Matias has caps too.

Or if you're really adventurous, harvest vintage boards for caps. Say an AEK or AT101W.

[alienman82]

removed.

[StormyMonday]

I actually mentioned to several vendors that there might be a considerable demand for these switches after I'd buy them in order to try and negotiate a better price for them. Then it turned out all the stock figures the vendors list are made-up and in truth only one supplier stocks these.

MFW the hunt for Neon Green Alps turns into the hunt for IBM 6019284s )

So I am considering getting an Alps KB in a 60% form factor for the Datamancer wood case. Are there any keysets that are available to purchase? I was thinking of buying a Pok3r for the case but I do not have an Alps KB and I thought it would be neat since I like different switches for different purposes.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

For modern layouts? The easiest available board to get in that layout is a V60. I think MK.com still stocks it. Otherwise you'll have to hunt around or wait for a sale of like Tai Hao caps or njbair's SP GB. Matias has caps too.

Or if you're really adventurous, harvest vintage boards for caps. Say an AEK or AT101W.

gimme dat kish.  Or at least help me find one LOL

If all three of us pool out resources, perhaps we could afford a nice one ...

[alienman82]

removed.

[njbair]

got this for 425 shipped with green alps and double shot caps:

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$425 or 4.25!?

I was braindead last night  :confused: It was $25 shipped actually.  I took some pictures of the taking apart:

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Some rework was done I guess:

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Motherboard:

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Wow, $25 makes more sense, and a great deal! Nice photography, too.

[StormyMonday]

Been cutting this plate all day

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That's too much like work!

Don't do yourself a mischief on those sharp edges!!!

[alienman82]

removed.

[StormyMonday]

Been cutting this plate all day

Show Image

That's too much like work!

Don't do yourself a mischief on those sharp edges!!!

it is a lot of work.  I got it down to a science though.  Gonna cut down an AEK plate and two Acer 6011 plates.  Hopefully those turn out alright.   Need to pickup some paint.

A guy who restored a Model F used Krylon Hammer-Finished paint. Check it out, the pics looked pretty cool!

[Mattr567]

My V60 w/ SKCL Green's has the most ping of any keyboard in the world, more than the Pingmaster! Want to do a typing test but my phone has trouble picking it up. The whole damn thing resonate's like crazy, it has 3 levels of ping. I have a couple SKCL Green's in my SGI AT101 and they don't sound like the same switches at all.

[Mattr567]

Managed to get a good recording, enjoy! ) Even during normal typing you can hear the gentle whirr of the ping Thats not background noise, its PING! The video still doesn't do it justice. And for fun here is my SGI Granite w/ SKCM Orange. Definitely a bit different from a SKCM Salmon Dell. Very classic sound.

[Venatorious]

Dude thanks, I love these videos.  You did a great job on the recordings.   

[lootbag]

My V60 w/ SKCL Green's has the most ping of any keyboard in the world, more than the Pingmaster! Want to do a typing test but my phone has trouble picking it up. The whole damn thing resonate's like crazy, it has 3 levels of ping. I have a couple SKCL Green's in my SGI AT101 and they don't sound like the same switches at all.

Interesting, the SKCL Greens in my Z-150 sounded a bit more thocky before I desoldered them.
But this was typing on the bare plate without the case because it was destroyed in shipping.
Still very pleasant to me.

I think I will have to be very careful with case choice in my 60% build.
Maybe go with a thick acrylic/plastic case (with a decent sized cavity under the PCB) and acrylic plate to get max resonance and thock lol.
Probably put some dampening material inside as well.
Any suggestions?

[chyros]

Mmmm, Alps typing sounds. Can listen to that all day ^^ .

[klennkellon]

Those orange ALPS sound lovely.

I actually prefer the sound of tactile ALPS over clicky ALPS. It sounds like "generictypingsound.mp4" stock sounds you'd find on the internet. In a good way.

[Mattr567]

My V60 w/ SKCL Green's has the most ping of any keyboard in the world, more than the Pingmaster! Want to do a typing test but my phone has trouble picking it up. The whole damn thing resonate's like crazy, it has 3 levels of ping. I have a couple SKCL Green's in my SGI AT101 and they don't sound like the same switches at all.

Interesting, the SKCL Greens in my Z-150 sounded a bit more thocky before I desoldered them.
But this was typing on the bare plate without the case because it was destroyed in shipping.
Still very pleasant to me.

I think I will have to be very careful with case choice in my 60% build.
Maybe go with a thick acrylic/plastic case (with a decent sized cavity under the PCB) and acrylic plate to get max resonance and thock lol.
Probably put some dampening material inside as well.
Any suggestions?

Oh trust me the V60 does very strange things to the sound. The same SKCL Green's in my Z-150 (when I had it, traded the guts away) were the same as you described it.

Mmmm, Alps typing sounds. Can listen to that all day ^^ .

Alps do have the best sound. IMHO thick PBT Alps caps belong on tactile switches, thinner DS caps belong on clicky switches and linear can go either way. The DS ABS accentuates the click.

Those orange ALPS sound lovely.

I actually prefer the sound of tactile ALPS over clicky ALPS. It sounds like "generictypingsound.mp4" stock sounds you'd find on the internet. In a good way.

Agreed. That SGI is my daily right now, the combo of Alps dyesubs and cleaned, great condiction grey plate SKCM Orange is amazing. I never got to appreciate this board since I had an issue with it not registering ASDFJKL keys, all worked or none. Cleaning the PCB did the trick Now that I trust the thing to do what I tell it its great

[klennkellon]

Is there any where to get a bare TKL ALPS board and stick my own switches on it?

[Hak Foo]

There's that new "Alpine Spring" project to produce a TKL Alps project board, but that's a coming-soon thing.  Can't tell you offhand if there are any projects at the point where you can buy now.


I'd say to look for a salvage board-- the Filco Zero, Ducky 1087XM, or KBParadise V80MTS are your best bets for a modern-style TKL-- and find someone to switch-swap it with you.

[Mattr567]

Love the video Chyros. SKCM Lime/green is very Now that all the supply has done, it seems you and Docutech's are the only source now for these switches. They sound lovely with Alps dyesubs, similar to my SGI w/ SKCM Orange but you can notice a distinct difference. I have always wanted a Wang but they seem to be far and few between on ebay, and normally the prices are quite high.