Alps Appreciation Thread

[Wingpad]

Not a fan of Salmon. SKCL Heavy Pink?

Also ohhaimark just pm'd me on reddit wanting my Lexmark branded 1398601 Model M. He has the rest of the lineup of those quite rare Lexmark branded Model M's (SSK, M15, M13) and is only missing mine.

I smell a deal, rich with Amber

So that's the reason the board went off of eBay, eh?

[Mattr567]

Yea, he ended it even before we made a deal lol.

So it's a 1:1 trade. My Model M w/ its original case and bolt modded internals for the Tandem. Yes!

Now I need to find a Model M carcass for the industrial case.......

[Wingpad]

Yea, he ended it even before we made a deal lol.

So it's a 1:1 trade. My Model M w/ its original case and bolt modded internals for the Tandem. Yes!

Now I need to find a Model M carcass for the industrial case.......

What's the Industrial Model M SSK case for?

I just hope to have a shot at one of these Tandem boards some day. My dad used to use these everyday at his job, I just wish he would've grabbed 'em his company was recycling them... that being said, I wasn't even born yet so there's no way he could have known I'd one day want them. Oh well, good things come to those that wait, eh?

[Mattr567]

Yea, he ended it even before we made a deal lol.

So it's a 1:1 trade. My Model M w/ its original case and bolt modded internals for the Tandem. Yes!

Now I need to find a Model M carcass for the industrial case.......

What's the Industrial Model M SSK case for?

I just hope to have a shot at one of these Tandem boards some day. My dad used to use these everyday at his job, I just wish he would've grabbed 'em his company was recycling them... that being said, I wasn't even born yet so there's no way he could have known I'd one day want them. Oh well, good things come to those that wait, eh?

No just a regular industrial case. I got it NIB off Unicomp and that is what I have had the internals of the Lexmark M in. So now it needs a new resident.

Ahh man. All that SKCL Brown/Amber gone. Come to think of it there must have been a huge massacre of Alps boards in the mid-late 90's.

[adevriesc]

Hello all. I'm ohaimark. It's flattering to see all this discussion.

I apologize for the last minute listing removal. I received an offer I couldn't refuse, clearly.

I plan to post a nice group shot of the Lexmark family, if that helps anyone feel better.

[Mattr567]

Hello all. I'm ohaimark. It's flattering to see all this discussion.

I apologize for the last minute listing removal. I received an offer I couldn't refuse, clearly.

I plan to post a nice group shot of the Lexmark family, if that helps anyone feel better.

It's cool man Excited to see that shot! Family reunion at last. Glad to be a part of it.

[E3E]

Not a fan of Salmon. SKCL Heavy Pink?

Also ohhaimark just pm'd me on reddit wanting my Lexmark branded 1398601 Model M. He has the rest of the lineup of those quite rare Lexmark branded Model M's (SSK, M15, M13) and is only missing mine.

I smell a deal, rich with Amber

whyareweokaywithalpskclamberbutnotalpsskclsalmoncmonwhat *ahem*

But we have Alps SKCM Amber and Alps SKCL Amber. Why not Alps SKCM Salmon and Alps SKCL Salmon, or HEAVY SALMON. I mean, the Koreans call Salmon switches Pink, but... This naming thing, I tell ya...

I remember the ridiculous commotion about finding a proper name for Alps SKCM Green/Lime/Neon Green.

You know, Daniel Beardsmore didn't ask anyone if he should rename Alps SKCM Taxi Yellow to Amber.

He just did. >:C

[Mattr567]

Why does Alps always have to be complicated lol

If anything, it has to have 'heavy' in its name. I don't want people thinking you can just find SKCL Salmon in Apple boards or something. That was my main point with not calling it Salmon. SKCL Salmon no, SKCL Heavy Salmon I'm OK with.

Can we get some slider color comparisons as well? Also in one of the black X6800 pics the switches seem to be much more Cream like unlike the other 3. SKCL Heavy Cream?

BTW SKCM Green is the best out of those. Keep things simple. And Taxi Yellow seriously sucked.

[E3E]

Haha. It definitely lives up to its namesake. Yeah,I agree with the bit about heavy being in the name and about potential confusion with SKCM Salmon. If the slider color is really that off from the other cream switches, I'm not sure about Heavy Creams.

SKCM Green is nice and simple, but it's easy for people to mis-type the name and call SKCL Greens "SKCM Greens," haha.

Also, I've been playing with some of those Aruz switches that can be found in some Tai Hao TH-5539 keyboards, and while they aren't remarkable with their click leaves, I think they make fantastic linear switches.

[alh84001]

@Mattr567 enjoy that amber board. I bet elecplus will have an M carcass, or one with a very rough case. Ohaimark, congrats on completing the mini collection.

@Wingpad that's a depressing story. It's bad enough by itself but it also reminds me of that whole ordeal with kishsavers.


As for name, I like Heavy Salmon Let me take a few more pics. There are three boards in all, two grey, and one black. One of the shots of black was with flash, so that's why it looks off.

I like Lime as well. It's nice, short and different. Amber switches are not _exactly_ amber, so lime shouldn't be, too. TEAM LIME!

[alh84001]

Well, in the light of day things do clear up. I christen these......drum roll.....SKCL Heavy Cream.

Some more pics. First comparison with SKCM salmon and SKCM cream undamped. I don't have loose salmons, so the setup is a bit crowded.

More

Salmon is obviously darker, and cream is lighter. The color really looks like a washed out yellow. Here's another pic with a second Sharp board

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So, I decided to take out the SGI Bigfoot, and that board has mostly damped white switches, but also a couple of damped creams as well (I have no idea why)


It looks like those switches are almost same in color and undamped cream looks quite different. I really see now why damped ones were referred to as ivory, as it is obviously a different shade. Current name is probably too entrenched now.

All of the above pics were taken with my Lumia 930, and for comparison some pics taken with iPhone 5 are below

More

[E3E]

Okay, so it was just lighting trickery. SKCL Heavy Cream it is!

Yeah, ordinary SKCL Cream looks similar to SKCM Cream Damped too. It is worth noting that SKCL Cream has a symmetrical slider like most of the early SKCL switches.

[chyros]

Yes, that's definitely a different colour. I was hoping to do a slider comparison picture and now this turns up D: .

[E3E]

Yes, that's definitely a different colour. I was hoping to do a slider comparison picture and now this turns up D: .

Have you got an Alps SKCL Amber slider to compare against SKCM Amber? Pretty sure they're the same shade, but I've traded all my ambers away and it's since been a pain in the ass to find another IIc on the cheap.

[alienman82]

removed.

[alienman82]

removed.

[mike52787]

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If you want to part with that docutech you know who to call

[alienman82]

removed.

[mike52787]

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If you want to part with that docutech you know who to call

ghostbusters?!???


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damn youre good

[alh84001]

I have to change my nick to ghostbuster then

Are they pine or bamboo?

Yes, that's definitely a different colour. I was hoping to do a slider comparison picture and now this turns up D: .

Well, you were definitely going to be more thorough than me, so don't use this as an excuse to not do it

[alienman82]

removed.

[E3E]

I have to change my nick to ghostbuster then

Are they pine or bamboo?

Yes, that's definitely a different colour. I was hoping to do a slider comparison picture and now this turns up D: .

Well, you were definitely going to be more thorough than me, so don't use this as an excuse to not do it

pretty sure bamboo. too much of a cherry person to know


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Yeah, they're bamboos, going from what I know of and have seen of your board.

[chyros]

Yes, that's definitely a different colour. I was hoping to do a slider comparison picture and now this turns up D: .

Have you got an Alps SKCL Amber slider to compare against SKCM Amber? Pretty sure they're the same shade, but I've traded all my ambers away and it's since been a pain in the ass to find another IIc on the cheap.

No, unfortunately I don't. I aim to make a photographic, detailed teardown of ALL Alps switches sometime though.

[Mattr567]

Yea those are definitely Cream. Make's sense given how many Cream there are lol.

SKCM Cream Damp
SKCM Cream
SKCM Cream - Canon version
SKCL Cream
SKCL Heavy Cream

Also changed my avatar. Nice change I feel. Just took that picture.

[Hypersphere]

Key Lime.

[alienman82]

removed.

[mike52787]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAI-BASIC-FOUR-Information-Rare-Vintage-Keyboard-4313/191995061736?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39007%26meid%3D5371405d9e37443ba19472b7b4b472bd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D112166410300
What do you guys think? Im thinking SKCL greens or something foam and foil.

[Mattr567]

Those keycaps remind me heavily of Fujitsu Peerless switches.

[Mattr567]

So beautiful...and new profile pic

[alienman82]

removed.

[zefyr]

So beautiful...and new profile pic

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nice what is it?


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That must be my WTB, tactile alps green.
Man!!!!!!! so jelly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

What. Its SKCL Green. The board is my V60 wearing Multistation caps.

[E3E]

So beautiful...and new profile pic

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nice what is it?


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Chinese IBM Multistation spherical hi pros in a V60MTS that MattR modded with Alps SKCL Green. He was shooting to make it backlit but the desoldering process screwed up the backlighting as I remember.

[E3E]

That must be my WTB, tactile alps green.
Man!!!!!!! so jelly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They're the coolest! Though Alps plate spring is pretty cool too.

[Mattr567]

So beautiful...and new profile pic

Show Image

nice what is it?


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Chinese IBM Multistation spherical hi pros in a V60MTS that MattR modded with Alps SKCL Green. He was shooting to make it backlit but the desoldering process screwed up the backlighting as I remember.

Pretty much.

And now it's gonna be deja vu with the V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber. :P Jk I hope not lol. My soldering skills are much better now than they were then and I have a solder sucker so it shouldn't be nearly as bad. The pcb design still makes it much harder than normal as we've previously discussed.

No backlight this time btw. SKCL Amber is too damn rare to mod like that and it's 2x of a pain to desolder all the extra through holes necessary, to solder a ton of tiny resistors​ and drill out so many switch bottoms. The concept of a KBP Alps PCB even supporting backlighting hasn't even been proven yet thinking about it. I was the first and only to attempt it. When I have some cash to burn ill buy a used V60MTS and retry.

[Wingpad]

V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber

Just my $0.02 here but for the love of Alps, put the Ambers in a nicer board than a KBPV80. They're too rare to go into such an otherwise ordinary board

[Mattr567]

V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber

Just my $0.02 here but for the love of Alps, put the Ambers in a nicer board than a KBPV80. They're too rare to go into such an otherwise ordinary board

Don't have the money to throw at the keyboard space right now for an Alps custom. The thing is eventually I could get a Tex case and then you won't even be able to tell it's a V80 anymore.

For E3E keyboard money grows on tree's

[Wingpad]

V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber

Just my $0.02 here but for the love of Alps, put the Ambers in a nicer board than a KBPV80. They're too rare to go into such an otherwise ordinary board

Don't have the money to throw at the keyboard space right now for an Alps custom. The thing is eventually I could get a Tex case and then you won't even be able to tell it's a V80 anymore.

For E3E keyboard money grows on tree's

Fair enough, Tex cases are so pricey though... I've been considering buying one for a while but then I just keep coming back to the fact that I can make a custom board for roughly the same price. I also can't justify the TKL form factor - I'm all about that 100%, 96-key or 60% lifestyle.

At this point, I'm considering trying to cast a case for a 96-key like Yoe's custom from last year. There are far too many options...

[zefyr]

What. Its SKCL Green. The board is my V60 wearing Multistation caps.

Ah, my mistake. Dumb 

[E3E]

V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber

Just my $0.02 here but for the love of Alps, put the Ambers in a nicer board than a KBPV80. They're too rare to go into such an otherwise ordinary board

Don't have the money to throw at the keyboard space right now for an Alps custom. The thing is eventually I could get a Tex case and then you won't even be able to tell it's a V80 anymore.

For E3E keyboard money grows on tree's

Not gonna lie, I stretch my budget a bit to make things work. Sometimes a bit too much, haha.

Personally, with ambers, I'd put them in another Leeku MXAlps 3000 PCB (those are incredibly hard to find now) with green plastic LEDs and put it in a Peacock WKL case or something. The FAME Cherry caps wouldn't match though.

It would have to be a back lit board though. For me, any rare linear needs to be used to its fullest potential.

I do need to cool it with spending, so I'd probably just put them in my other 60% hot swappable Eagle, since none of the tactiles have been my cup of tea with the CF plate. Too stiff, but it'll go great for linears.

[Mattr567]

V80MTS w/ SKCL Amber

Just my $0.02 here but for the love of Alps, put the Ambers in a nicer board than a KBPV80. They're too rare to go into such an otherwise ordinary board

Don't have the money to throw at the keyboard space right now for an Alps custom. The thing is eventually I could get a Tex case and then you won't even be able to tell it's a V80 anymore.

For E3E keyboard money grows on tree's

Not gonna lie, I stretch my budget a bit to make things work. Sometimes a bit too much, haha.

Personally, with ambers, I'd put them in another Leeku MXAlps 3000 PCB (those are incredibly hard to find now) with green plastic LEDs and put it in a Peacock WKL case or something. The FAME Cherry caps wouldn't match though.

It would have to be a back lit board though. For me, any rare linear needs to be used to its fullest potential.

I do need to cool it with spending, so I'd probably just put them in my other 60% hot swappable Eagle, since none of the tactiles have been my cup of tea with the CF plate. Too stiff, but it'll go great for linears.

Yea. Those are all great potential boards but anything made in small number's is gonna call for a bigger price. I've been using this same tactic for a while. SKCL Green in a V60, SKCM Orange in a SGI, Model M in an industrial case, various MX switches in a old G80 etc. The Taobao stuff was going to be another version of this but then I found the Packard

Also would you do a 2:1 trade, 2 SKCL Ambers for a single SKCL Brown? Just want to round off my collection at this point. I think that's a pretty good deal

Fair enough, Tex cases are so pricey though... I've been considering buying one for a while but then I just keep coming back to the fact that I can make a custom board for roughly the same price.

Yea those Tex cases can get very expensive. The true point is that with a new case made by whoever could completely obscure the fact that it's a V80. I could make my own who knows

[mike52787]

Ive been going through and swapping the white alps click leaves with blue alps click leaves on my alps64, The click modded greens feel and sound even better with the blue alps leaves.

[Hypersphere]

@mike52787: I've lost track. Did your alps64 have SKCL green Alps, which you then modded by swapping out the tops for those from white Alps along with white Alps click leaves? And now you have replaced the white Alps click leaves with blue Alps click leaves?

If this is what you have done, how would you say that the greens with blue click leaves compare with blue Alps switches?

[E3E]

Seems like putting the blue click leaves in the housings was a good way to bring the SKCM Blue feel to your switches without going through the labors of trying to fully restore them, which is nigh impossible unless you virtually do a housing transplant.

[chyros]

Ive been going through and swapping the white alps click leaves with blue alps click leaves on my alps64, The click modded greens feel and sound even better with the blue alps leaves.

Cool, could you post a video or something with a side-by-side sound comparison? I'm trying to pin down the difference in sound and its origin in these switches.

[Hypersphere]

Does anyone have any extra springs for SKCM Blue Alps switches to sell? I need at least one (1), but I will take more if you have them to spare. I've also posted a WTB. Thanks!

[Wingpad]

Does anyone have any extra springs for SKCM Blue Alps switches to sell? I need at least one (1), but I will take more if you have them to spare. I've also posted a WTB. Thanks!

Yeah, I can help you out, PM your address and email and they're yours for the cost of shipping.

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[mike52787]

@mike52787: I've lost track. Did your alps64 have SKCL green Alps, which you then modded by swapping out the tops for those from white Alps along with white Alps click leaves? And now you have replaced the white Alps click leaves with blue Alps click leaves?

If this is what you have done, how would you say that the greens with blue click leaves compare with blue Alps switches?

I built my alps64 with SKCL greens harvested from a Sharp typewriter which I then modded with white alps click leaves and tops from a poor old focus 2001 that gave its life for the project. R.I.P. After modding the switches I installed them into my alps64 kit. Now what I am in the process of doing is swapping out the white alps click leaves with blue alps click leaves. I will post a video of a sound comparison soon.

[mike52787]

Ive been going through and swapping the white alps click leaves with blue alps click leaves on my alps64, The click modded greens feel and sound even better with the blue alps leaves.

Cool, could you post a video or something with a side-by-side sound comparison? I'm trying to pin down the difference in sound and its origin in these switches.

Will do!