[GB] Pearl 40% R1 Complete - www.pearlboards.com - Thank you!

[Koobaczech]

146 Total R1's made

Current Orders Form
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1trW8PJpHkyteALfXAiS5D8cX3kRTD3I15ippUzGAb20/edit?usp=sharing



Introducing Pearl 40%






Streamer Content

Full Photo Album
https://imgur.com/a/rsh4z https://imgur.com/a/mNt1k




GB December 1, 2017 10AM EST FCFS @ https://pearlboards.net
Hello I'm Koobaczech, this boards sole designer, and I'm here to tell you the modern day 40% board has arrived! I've loved 40% boards and decided to fuse my three favorites together into one. Mechminis RGB, Mininvans Cherry/Alps compatibility and JD45s thick case and blocked style. I then added some modern features like side indicators, usb-c and a better layout. Initially it was just a project for myself, but the community received it well so I'm going to decide if i can sell it to you all! Hope you enjoy the board and support this project!
Interest Check - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=107373.0


About Pearl 40%
Free shipping within CONUS. Respective international shipping prices added at checkout
A single purchase comes with (Case (top/bot), Weight, PCB, Diffuser, Plate, 10ft cable, Screws, Plastic feet) and costs $280 USD
Each extra PCB costs $35 USD
Each extra Plate in either brass or aluminum costs $35 USD
Each extra Diffuser costs $15 USD
Expected to be shipped TO YOU during March




Collaborations
Komatoz+BoomSnapCaps - Custom Treasure Chest Artisans




Case Options
6 degree typing angle
Top Mount system
Sandblasted brass weight with custom engraving
Anodized Alu 6061 - Black/Gray/Silver/Cyan/Blue/Red/Pink/Purple/Yellow/Green/Rose Gold/Orange
Slightly sunken in design so keys hide more
Tight fit design, inner bezels hug keycaps
Diamond engraving in rear corner
Triple locking indicator leds on case top
RGB Underglow
EVA Foam dampening available for PCB
Full bodied RGB diffuser




PCB Options
Split lshift, rshift, backspace and split spacebar
Bootmapper Client or QMK
USB C left mounted
RGB under-glow/NON-RGB top led support
Plate mounted or screw in stab support
Cherry or ALPS support
Offset stagger layout (no need for 40% modifier keyset kits)




Plate Options
Aluminum, Brass, Acrylic
Many colors for Acrylic or Aluminum
Brass is polished




Special Thanks
Dave from mechkeys.ca, support, advice, mentoring and help planning
William_S_Jones, forcing me to do split spacebar layout
Homerow Co. (Keebs), helping me get started with CAD
R0b0tical, helping me try on a ton of 1337 GMK keysets
pabloescobyte, Komatoz, Chachal, Jolimon, Mito, Phatskin, support and any kit addons




Contact
Discord - Koobaczech#0001
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Pearlboards
Website - https://pearlboards.net
Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Koobaczech/
Email - pearlboards@gmail.com
Join the Pearlboards Discord and discuss Pearl in the #pearl channel! Pearlboards Discord




Signature
(Please add this to your profile to support Pearl 40%)

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[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92259.0][img width=267 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/f39Jnm3.jpg[/img][/url]

[Koobaczech]

FAQ

What's with the diamond vs. the name Pearl?
The Diamond is my logo, and Pearl is the series/name of this board. A future 60% could also be named Pearl, but it would be referred to as the Pearl 60% for example. Logo vs. board name.

Do prices differ if you choose an ALU or BRASS plate?
No, prices are the same

Does this come assembled or what?
You get all the parts to assemble it yourself, switches and keycaps not included. If you want it assembled I suggest TURBOKEYS.US

What is the weight of the Pearl, and can it be built without the brass weight?
A fully built Pearl with caps is 2.6lbs (POUNDS). The weight alone is about 1lbs. Building without the weight does not affect functionality at all and brings the total weight down to 1.6lbs.

Does a brass plate affect feel/sound?
Very much so. Its sturdier, less flex, heavier, and "clicks" sound more pingy. Its a deeper richer sound and a firmer feel. But the ALU looks brilliant when it shines through the caps, and acrylic is the quietest and softest.

Do you have any proxies set up?
None, unfortunately. You need to understand this isn't a GMK set that comes prepackaged in a tray and just gets sent out via the individual proxies. I need to inspect every board, package it, throw in my business cards and extras and be responsible for each board. Especially on my first ever GB.

Why are the indicator lights in a corner vs. the top, and what's with the positioning?
I'm a big SA fan. Putting the indicator lights on the top left or right corners would have blocked them due to SA caps being so tall. I then decided to move them down to a blocker, and positioned them in the lower 2/3'ds of the right blocker.

What stabs work, and do holtites work?
Any cherry PCB mounted stabs work, including Zeal's screw in stabs. And holtites should work. Costar stabs work too.

What options do you recommend for the Pearl?
My endgame build would be a CYAN Pearl + brass plate with SA Pulse mods, SA Calm Depths alphas, 2u Backspace, split R-Shift and 6.25u Spacebar. Then id throw blue leds all over the board, and red leds for the indicator lights. Probably box whites.

Other cool builds are lubed linears with acrylic playes. That to me is incredible.

[Puddsy]

glwgb

[lordgiblite]

I'm excited...(insert heavy breathing)

[Koobaczech]

glwgb

Puddsy, thank you so much. Do also please forgive me for not getting back to that pm. Been running around like a headless horse!

I'm excited...(insert heavy breathing)

Woot me too my friend. Way more scared than excited but nonetheless happy to think about getting a pretty board in peoples hands.

[Jedi]

Excited for you and definitely wanting in on this. 

[Puddsy]

glwgb

Puddsy, thank you so much. Do also please forgive me for not getting back to that pm. Been running around like a headless horse!

no worries

i know how it gets with GBs

[ojrask]

Going to be a difficult decision picking a color. Cyan and yellow look awesome but black, gray, or silver would be more compatible with stuff.

[kmba]

Silver most compatible IMO.  Any set with light alphas works wonderfully.  Black second most, as any set with dark mods or dark alphas looks nice.  Gray I have mixed feelings about.  I know it's probably the most popular case color, but I think it really particular sets to work with.. I think my gripe is that gray mods (like half the sets around?) that  don't contrast enough or aren't well color matched irks me

Am I brave enough to do a yellow case with Nautilus? (only one single key will be off profile with nautilus due to it's good 40% support.. either caps or enter).  Or maybe blue. 

[vladko95]

Love the case, im debating whether I should get the orange case for GMK yuri. Do you think it will match with the blue and fiery orange? or is a lighter orange?

[kmba]

Love the case, im debating whether I should get the orange case for GMK yuri. Do you think it will match with the blue and fiery orange? or is a lighter orange?

I suspect it will be a lighter orange than Yuri.

[foxlive]

Can’t wait to join this groupbuy! I am deeply confused about which color to pick since I will soon receive two keyaet: Budapest SA and Dasher SA..
it would be rose gold for Budapest SA, cyan or orange for Dasher SA!! Life dilemma 

[Kalopsia]

Can’t wait to join this groupbuy! I am deeply confused about which color to pick since I will soon receive two keyaet: Budapest SA and Dasher SA..
it would be rose gold for Budapest SA, cyan or orange for Dasher SA!! Life dilemma 

Im in the same boat, althugh I already got Budapest and Dasher so im most likely getting the rose gold and blue  for those Im thinking calm depths with cyan!

[Perfex]

Hmm... trying to decide what color would suit Jukebox aka Futurama best.

I don’t think I’ve seen a group buy with so many anodizing choices.

[captainish]

I've had my eye on this for a while. Hope I can find a spot 

[mattgrimes]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

[kmba]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

The plate would support it, but the PCB does not.  You wouldn't be able to fit a 1.25U cap on the left.

[SuperBo]

Some question. Following FAQ, I need PCB-mounted stab to build this keyboard, what about switch. I guess switch is plate mounted.
Therefore PCB-mounted stab and plate-mounted switch, is this right?

Does these stab work? https://zealpc.net/collections/halloween-trick-or-treat-sale/products/zealstabilizers

[Koobaczech]

Great seeing you guys mentally prep for a good color scheme! There are so many options i honestly had a hard time choosing for my 4 prototypes. Was so conflicted!!

Thanks tameone for answering his question! On a split right shift only 1u-1.25u works.

Some question. Following FAQ, I need PCB-mounted stab to build this keyboard, what about switch. I guess switch is plate mounted.
Therefore PCB-mounted stab and plate-mounted switch, is this right?

Does these stab work? https://zealpc.net/collections/halloween-trick-or-treat-sale/products/zealstabilizers

Yes those will work and yes you are right! On a side note, PCB mounted switches will work just as fine if not better, since they also mount to the plate and PCB. PCB mounted switches are the same as plate mounted but they have little legs that poke into the PCB. So you are getting double the tightness per switch if you go with those.

Also getting some small physical color samples today after work. Will post those up when i get them!

[lordgiblite]

Also getting some small physical color samples today after work. Will post those up when i get them!

OH YEAAH! Let's see them colors koob! Thankfully I at least know what set I'm using with the pearl so it only comes down to how the cases look themselves! (I only wish I could get more than one)

[eyedrop]

Honest question, what would you do for a return key?  Just thinking if you have to go to a layer for a return key, it would be annoying since that is used quite often.

[Puddsy]

Honest question, what would you do for a return key?  Just thinking if you have to go to a layer for a return key, it would be annoying since that is used quite often.

just because it doesn't say return on it, doesn't make it not a return key

that |\ would make a nice one

[Calza]

What is the weight of this fully manufactured?

[Koobaczech]

2.6lbs fully built with keycaps. Brass weight is 1lb alone.

[eksuen]

You are awesome for offering so many colors (especially green), but god damn it'll be hard to choose.

[Koobaczech]

Haha thanks! Im actually losing money by doing so. So many extra colors up the charge. Anodizing follows the same principles of economies of scale as all the other parts. Its like if you buy a gallon of milk but only pour a glass. Im paying for the whole gallon just to be able to offer you all something nice and extra. Fingers are crossed that it all goes well, and if all said and done i can ship you all some pretty boards, that will put a smile on my face

[mattgrimes]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

The plate would support it, but the PCB does not.  You wouldn't be able to fit a 1.25U cap on the left.

Show Image

Thanks! If I wanted to throw a JD40 PCB in there, would the case/plate support it?

[xondat]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

The plate would support it, but the PCB does not.  You wouldn't be able to fit a 1.25U cap on the left.

Show Image

Thanks! If I wanted to throw a JD40 PCB in there, would the case/plate support it?

This uses USB-C so I doubt it.

[Koobaczech]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

The plate would support it, but the PCB does not.  You wouldn't be able to fit a 1.25U cap on the left.

Show Image

Thanks! If I wanted to throw a JD40 PCB in there, would the case/plate support it?

Hey buddy, the JD40 PCB has one less column than Pearl. Its a 4x12 matrix vs. my 4x13 matrix. Not only that, the bottom row is centered on Pearl (about 1mm to the right more).  And Row 2 is staggered differently than any 40% in existence as well (few mm's to the right). So in no way would any other 40% pcb fit. I could design a plate for the JD45 pcb, but I have to see that the usb clears and also i you might have some tiny gaps on the sides of the bottom rows..Ill check tonight how it looks!

I wrote a super interesting article on Pearls layout if you would like to read up on it here - https://www.pearlboards.com/blogs/news/pearls-unique-key-layout

[SuperBo]

If I wanted to do a  1.25U right shft and a 1U Fn to the right of it (Rather than having the 1U on the left and the 1.25U to the right) would it work, or would it be offset?

The plate would support it, but the PCB does not.  You wouldn't be able to fit a 1.25U cap on the left.

Show Image

Thanks! If I wanted to throw a JD40 PCB in there, would the case/plate support it?

Hey buddy, the JD40 PCB has one less column than Pearl. Its a 4x12 matrix vs. my 4x13 matrix. Not only that, the bottom row is centered on Pearl (about 1mm to the right more).  And Row 2 is staggered differently than any 40% in existence as well (few mm's to the right). So in no way would any other 40% pcb fit. I could design a plate for the JD45 pcb, but I have to see that the usb clears and also i you might have some tiny gaps on the sides of the bottom rows..Ill check tonight how it looks!

I wrote a super interesting article on Pearls layout if you would like to read up on it here - https://www.pearlboards.com/blogs/news/pearls-unique-key-layout

Great article. Decided to go with spilt spacebar. Still considering about right shift and backspace. Cause the split spacebar give me backspace at the bottom position. Do I need additional keys at right position by splitting right shift and backspace.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[lordgiblite]

Haha thanks! Im actually losing money by doing so. So many extra colors up the charge. Anodizing follows the same principles of economies of scale as all the other parts. Its like if you buy a gallon of milk but only pour a glass. Im paying for the whole gallon just to be able to offer you all something nice and extra. Fingers are crossed that it all goes well, and if all said and done i can ship you all some pretty boards, that will put a smile on my face

Koob, you seriously rock! This makes me want to purchase just that much more!!!
I'm glad it looks like everything's coming together well, also that website is pretty nice, and I wasn't expecting stickers! (You must have talked to my wife and found out I love stickers because now I have to buy some)

[Koobaczech]

Great article. Decided to go with spilt spacebar. Still considering about right shift and backspace. Cause the split spacebar give me backspace at the bottom position. Do I need additional keys at right position by splitting right shift and backspace.

Thank you, and not sure what you are asking my friend!

Koob, you seriously rock! This makes me want to purchase just that much more!!!
I'm glad it looks like everything's coming together well, also that website is pretty nice, and I wasn't expecting stickers! (You must have talked to my wife and found out I love stickers because now I have to buy some)

Awesome man!!! I'm so happy haha :] I'll get some your way for sure!

[Koobaczech]

Alright fellas, big update. Sample time. These are physical color samples. Now please listen, these colors change drastically based on time of day, lighting camera pics, monitors and what not. Take them with a pinch of salt. And the actual Pearls could come out totally different unfortunately.
Pictured here are green, pink, blue, silver, orange and yellow (kinda gold)

[Koobaczech]

Gb is live fellas. Best luck to all and any questions feel free to ask! Thanks to everyone who helped and supported this project!

[OfTheWild]

In for a red and brass! Such a beautiful board, very nice job!

[lordgiblite]

My wallet has died today, and it will be resurrected in the keyboard master race form that it knows it will be! Got myself that beautiful purple Pearl!

Now what kind of switches should I get.....RIP wallet 2.0

[Captain Shwah]

Doing my part to help with that moq
Went with yellow and a brass plate.

Cheers Kooba! This is gonna be so great.

[SuperBo]

Gb is live fellas. Best luck to all and any questions feel free to ask! Thanks to everyone who helped and supported this project!

Waiting for new month salary to make an order LOL :v

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[GreyAmbience]

I love the design but without having read into it, $280 for this small a board seems really expensive to me.

[kmba]

Holding out to see if MOQ will allow for a bare alu case (sans anodization)

[donut_sauce]

Going to be a difficult decision picking a color. Cyan and yellow look awesome but black, gray, or silver would be more compatible with stuff.

exactly how i feel. cyan and yellow seem more fun but i think what's really cool about this design is how flexible it is with keysets so while I want a fun color I also want to take advantage of it's compatibility which means choosing something neutral

[donut_sauce]

Silver most compatible IMO.  Any set with light alphas works wonderfully.  Black second most, as any set with dark mods or dark alphas looks nice.  Gray I have mixed feelings about.  I know it's probably the most popular case color, but I think it really particular sets to work with.. I think my gripe is that gray mods (like half the sets around?) that  don't contrast enough or aren't well color matched irks me

Am I brave enough to do a yellow case with Nautilus? (only one single key will be off profile with nautilus due to it's good 40% support.. either caps or enter).  Or maybe blue.

yup. this is probably what I'm gonna do. Was also thinking grey but like you mention it's really only compatible with certain sets.

[lordgiblite]

How does the PCB fair as far as holtite compatibility? It looks like 1 of the 2 switch holes would be fine but some solder tacking would be needed for the larger hole. I would love to have my spare pcb a switch testing one

(I'm also a holtite noob so go easy on me if I'm completely wrong)

Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk

[donut_sauce]

Silver most compatible IMO.  Any set with light alphas works wonderfully.  Black second most, as any set with dark mods or dark alphas looks nice.  Gray I have mixed feelings about.  I know it's probably the most popular case color, but I think it really particular sets to work with.. I think my gripe is that gray mods (like half the sets around?) that  don't contrast enough or aren't well color matched irks me

Am I brave enough to do a yellow case with Nautilus? (only one single key will be off profile with nautilus due to it's good 40% support.. either caps or enter).  Or maybe blue.

yup. this is probably what I'm gonna do. Was also thinking grey but like you mention it's really only compatible with certain sets.

and purchased. might pair it with a Rama M6???

[Koobaczech]

In for a red and brass! Such a beautiful board, very nice job!

Great choice! Red looks very bold and solid, thanks for joining!

Doing my part to help with that moq
Went with yellow and a brass plate.

Cheers Kooba! This is gonna be so great.

Damn my dude, your contribution might have saved the GB from imminent doom! Thanks a mil !

Waiting for new month salary to make an order LOL :v

Ha, that's pretty much me every month

I love the design but without having read into it, $280 for this small a board seems really expensive to me.

Appreciate it, cost is high due to all the extras and custom work. Considering a blocked JD45 is $250, but you cant buy them anymore and has half the parts, id say price isn't so bad!

Holding out to see if MOQ will allow for a bare alu case (sans anodization)

Haven't forgotten about you bud, I will definitely keep you in the loop on this.

Silver most compatible IMO.  Any set with light alphas works wonderfully.  Black second most, as any set with dark mods or dark alphas looks nice.  Gray I have mixed feelings about.  I know it's probably the most popular case color, but I think it really particular sets to work with.. I think my gripe is that gray mods (like half the sets around?) that  don't contrast enough or aren't well color matched irks me

Am I brave enough to do a yellow case with Nautilus? (only one single key will be off profile with nautilus due to it's good 40% support.. either caps or enter).  Or maybe blue.

yup. this is probably what I'm gonna do. Was also thinking grey but like you mention it's really only compatible with certain sets.

So many options guys. Don't pick the wrong color ;] Ahh silver? Heck yea! Great color

How does the PCB fair as far as holtite compatibility? It looks like 1 of the 2 switch holes would be fine but some solder tacking would be needed for the larger hole. I would love to have my spare pcb a switch testing one
(I'm also a holtite noob so go easy on me if I'm completely wrong)

Lord, got your note and order, and it warmed my heart! You've got this dude, and ill pm you soon with some info for you!! Thanks for everything man!

[kmba]

Thanks. I'm going to buy in regardless and I don't want to be a hassle. Only if it's super easy for you.

[Koobaczech]

Never a hassle! You've been commenting since the day I posted my Interest Check, and I appreciate you sticking with it. I think joining in is the best route, and then I can always manually take care of your order if we hit MOQ! That way there's not all these "what if" orders floating around. Pm me what you'd like exactly, such as RAW plate+case etc. so I can keep track of it! And if it entails any price changes I can take care of those as well :]

[lordgiblite]

How does the PCB fair as far as holtite compatibility? It looks like 1 of the 2 switch holes would be fine but some solder tacking would be needed for the larger hole. I would love to have my spare pcb a switch testing one
(I'm also a holtite noob so go easy on me if I'm completely wrong)

Lord, got your note and order, and it warmed my heart! You've got this dude, and ill pm you soon with some info for you!! Thanks for everything man!

You're very welcome! I'll keep an eye out for a PM 

[Tre3Cycl3S]

Snag an adorable purple Pearl to add to my growing collection of 40%, looking forward to getting it in March!

[donut_sauce]

Woohoo! Already at 70% to MOQ by day 1