New Cherry MY fan here.

[GorillaMonkey]

Got turned onto Geekhack from a friend after my longtime keyboard died.

I always knew I liked my keyboard above all other keyboards I've tried, but never knew why. After my keyboard's recent passing, I began the long process of trying to find a replacement... and was directed here. It was also a journey of self discovery in that apparently I'm in the minority that loves Cherry MY switches. I never felt normal preferring the feel of a 20+ year old keyboard to fancy new models... but as soon as I discovered these forums, I found hope!

So, now I'm here searching for options to resurrect or replace my fallen friend.

[demik]

Moose?

[digi]

Last 2015 troll of the year, no one likes MY, Bih..almost had me.

[GorillaMonkey]

Moose?

Who?  Does Moose have G81's?

Last 2015 troll of the year, no one likes MY, Bih..almost had me.

Ha, reading my post again, I get it... But I genuinely want to find a replacement (which led me here).

I've been to every computer/electronics store, tons of thrift shops, and have tried all my friend's keyboards. I just like Cherry MY switches the best.  I hated Cherry blue & red, but Cherry black didn't seem too bad (it was on a Ducky board at Microcenter). Someone on Reddit suggested I could get another "G81-3xxx" board (or parts) here, so here I am.


Here's photo proof of my board:


Close up of the keys & switches:


And the back:


Currently using an IBM Model M 52g9658(?) I got a while back as a backup. Don't like it as much, but still prefer it over the soft/plastic'y keyboards I've seen in stores.

[mason]

Moose?

Who?  Does Moose have G81's?

Last 2015 troll of the year, no one likes MY, Bih..almost had me.

Ha, reading my post again, I get it... But I genuinely want to find a replacement (which led me here).

I've been to every computer/electronics store, tons of thrift shops, and have tried all my friend's keyboards. I just like Cherry MY switches the best.  I hated Cherry blue & red, but Cherry black didn't seem too bad (it was on a Ducky board at Microcenter). Someone on Reddit suggested I could get another "G81-3xxx" board (or parts) here, so here I am.


Here's photo proof of my board:

Show Image

Close up of the keys & switches:

Show Image

And the back:

Show Image

Currently using an IBM Model M 52g9658(?) I got a while back as a backup. Don't like it as much, but still prefer it over the soft/plastic'y keyboards I've seen in stores.

What happened to the numpad enter?

[bocahgundul]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

[jerue]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

[bocahgundul]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

Can't overcome it The light side of the force is calling me. The board and the caps are just really beautiful I think I need to move from my topre board  .

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I'm using my 29 year old SSK at the moment - it feels better than some new keyboards (and this is the more worn SSK that I have - the other one is a bit smoother).  Definitely nothing wrong with older keyboards, especially ones that are made well.

Not sure about the MY switches though - there's not that many people who like them.  Which means more for you!

[jerue]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

Can't overcome it The light side of the force is calling me. The board and the caps are just really beautiful I think I need to move from my topre board  .

excuse me as a I pull a demik

but wtf

you dont just move on from topre

I rly wish I had my digilog realforce right now

[bocahgundul]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

Can't overcome it The light side of the force is calling me. The board and the caps are just really beautiful I think I need to move from my topre board  .

excuse me as a I pull a demik

but wtf

you dont just move on from topre

I rly wish I had my digilog realforce right now

And I wish I have a 456gt  )

[rowdy]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

Can't overcome it The light side of the force is calling me. The board and the caps are just really beautiful I think I need to move from my topre board  .

excuse me as a I pull a demik

but wtf

you dont just move on from topre

I rly wish I had my digilog realforce right now

You could move on from Type Heaven to RealForce.

And then move on again to HHKB.

[jerue]

And then move on again to HHKB.

Had a HHKB a while ago, it'd be like going back to an ex

although maybe this one will work. But I must has aluminum case first.

[GorillaMonkey]

Such a nice keyboard for a cherry lover  . Those dyesub and case is really really beautiful

Thank you, I wish I could take credit. An uncle gave me this "spare" keyboard when I got my first computer in the 90's. I just used it since then, and only when I got into building computers & gaming did I realize that I liked it more than typical gaming keyboards.

Didn't even know what "dyesub" was until someone on Reddit offered to buy my key caps.

you let the secret out, niiice job

If your keyboard is dead, you should send the whole thing to heaven (aka ME, I am heaven), or just replace the PCB with a 3000 or something similar. Free G81-3000 PCBs show up from time to time but I'm not sure how often.

Welcome to geekhack. Already scrutinizing ye...we are a lovely bunch aren't we?

Thanks for the welcome.

Haha, I think someone on Reddit let the secret out when they offered to buy my key caps (seemed odd). But then I found an old classified thread on here with someone selling my exact keyboard for $250!  So then things started to make sense (somewhat).


Free never hurts, but I've been looking to buy a replacement (or parts) since it happened.  Does it have to be a G81-3xxx?  I've seen a few G81-8xxx model keyboards on eBay for sale. They seem to be POS keyboards with credit card scanners, but I can't find any info about the G81-8000 series on here or Deskthority. 

Also, is swapping out PCB's difficult? (soldering, re-wiring, etc?)

Welcome to Geekhack!

I'm using my 29 year old SSK at the moment - it feels better than some new keyboards (and this is the more worn SSK that I have - the other one is a bit smoother).  Definitely nothing wrong with older keyboards, especially ones that are made well.

Not sure about the MY switches though - there's not that many people who like them.  Which means more for you!

Just looked up SSK keyboards; they look cool. I'm not in love with my Model M backup, but with these older boards, they just seem more "solid" than the new stuff. Kinda like classic muscle cars. There's no way to replace that feel.


I honestly never knew there was a Cherry MY switch until my keyboard died and I began this hunt. Hopefully with people's disinterest in MY I'll be able to find some replacements or parts here so I can have multiple backups  and parts in case this happens again (oh wow... so this is how keyboard addiction starts... I get it now.)

[Bromono]

Moose?

Who?  Does Moose have G81's?

Last 2015 troll of the year, no one likes MY, Bih..almost had me.

Ha, reading my post again, I get it... But I genuinely want to find a replacement (which led me here).

I've been to every computer/electronics store, tons of thrift shops, and have tried all my friend's keyboards. I just like Cherry MY switches the best.  I hated Cherry blue & red, but Cherry black didn't seem too bad (it was on a Ducky board at Microcenter). Someone on Reddit suggested I could get another "G81-3xxx" board (or parts) here, so here I am.


Here's photo proof of my board:

Show Image

Close up of the keys & switches:

Show Image

And the back:

Show Image

Currently using an IBM Model M 52g9658(?) I got a while back as a backup. Don't like it as much, but still prefer it over the soft/plastic'y keyboards I've seen in stores.

While your specific keyboard is very rare. The my switches are not. If you really want another keyboard with those switches, just buy another G81 on ebay. They can be found as low as $40. Your keyboard layout will be harder to find in my switches. You could buy a G80 with that layout easy. It would have mechanical switches if you do though.

[GorillaMonkey]

While your specific keyboard is very rare. The my switches are not. If you really want another keyboard with those switches, just buy another G81 on ebay. They can be found as low as $40. Your keyboard layout will be harder to find in my switches. You could buy a G80 with that layout easy. It would have mechanical switches if you do though.

I saw some G81's on eBay, but most of them were G81-8000 models with credit card swipers. (Like this
"Cherry POS MY 8000 Black" .

I honestly just like the feel of the keys/switches.  I wouldn't mind if the new board is a different layout, color, or shape; so long as the keys/switches felt the same.

[Bromono]

While your specific keyboard is very rare. The my switches are not. If you really want another keyboard with those switches, just buy another G81 on ebay. They can be found as low as $40. Your keyboard layout will be harder to find in my switches. You could buy a G80 with that layout easy. It would have mechanical switches if you do though.

I saw some G81's on eBay, but most of them were G81-8000 models with credit card swipers. (Like this
"Cherry POS MY 8000 Black"

Show Image

.

I honestly just like the feel of the keys/switches.  I wouldn't mind if the new board is a different layout, color, or shape; so long as the keys/switches felt the same.

I would just stalk eBay then until you find one with a layout you like.

They are always popping up on there.

[GorillaMonkey]

I would just stalk eBay then until you find one with a layout you like.

They are always popping up on there.

Thanks for the helpful replies!

I stalk eBay any more, they'll file a restraining order! 


I really don't mind the extra card readers on the G81-8xxx models.  Rather buy one of those to use until I can find another G81-3000 series, or a G81 PCB to fix my original.  My only concern is that I can't find any information about how the G81-3xxx is different than the G81-8xxx's on eBay.