Author Topic: [GB] GMK Masterpiece (Read 201553 times)

Energieschleuder · « **on:** Thu, 30 April 2020, 16:06:52 »

Hello everyone, I'm excited to introduce
GMK Masterpiece マスターピース

Where to buy?

ProjectKeyboard (US)
MyKeyboard (Europe)
SwitchKeys (Australia/Oceania)
iLumkb (Asia)
Deskhero (Canada)

Cable: Zeuscables

When?

Group Buy will be live from May 1st to June 2nd.
Estimate shipping: ~~Q4 2020 According to GMK / Q1 2021 When delays are taken into account~~ April 2022

Limited time opportunity to purchase a truly aesthetic, clean, unique and versatile keyset with 85 new molds for only $129 USD. This is by far the most unique GMK set that made it into Group Buy phase the traditional way, from ordinary Interest Check to Group Buy. Impress your friends and colleagues with this high quality keyset!

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Kepler giveaway! A beautiful board limited to 50 units by ProjectKeyboard for a GMK Masterpiece participant! For free! You will receive a Kepler spot for every order with a GMK Masterpiece Value (base) kit. Be sure to fill out this form after your order.

Specs

GMK's very first keyset with Katakana legends.
Double-shot ABS Cherry Profile keycaps set.
High quality manufacturer.
Made in Germany by GMK electronic design GmbH.
High quality 1.5mm thick keycaps.

Pricing

Colors

Blue: Custom Blue (RAL), White: WS1

Inspiration & Design

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The inspiration for this set comes from the Japanese high quality craftsmanship. Japanese craftsmanship is handmade and created by people using skills passed down for generations to ensure only the best quality product - a true masterpiece. With that spirit in mind I designed a keycap set, capturing the unique aesthetics of the Japanese culture. The Katakana legends will give the set a very unique look, paired with a beautiful rich blue.

This will be the very first GMK set with Katakana only alphas and mods. So new molds will be created for this set. Because of GMK's limited offering of stock blue colours, this set will be using a custom blue (RAL). The Katakana legends are as you noticed not narrow as the Hiragana mono/sublegends and Katakana sublegends. Instead, the Katakana monolegends are wider to offer a similar look to the latin/cyrillic counterpart. They look like they came straight from GMK. The Katakana-only mods are completely new, my own creation, and were inspired by various old boards. I wanted a more consistent look for the keyset as a whole as the Kanji were left out completely. The keyset has traditional icon mods and text+icon mods, and I think this solution will satisfy nearly every person. I also included all keys for a true ISO and proper ISO Japanese layout (R4 ロ) unlike past sets with japanese legends. The layout was designed on the basis of today's Mac keyboards in Japan but without the JIS bottom row.
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4

Kits

バリュー　ＶＡＬＵＥ　Base

クラリティ　ＣＬＡＲＩＴＹ　Icons

プレサビング　ＰＲＥＳＥＲＶＩＮＧ　Spacebars & Ortho / Basic 40s

ウェスト　ＷＥＳＴ　Latin alphas

Renders

J80 by jer

KBDfans KBD19x

RAMA Koyu

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KBDfans Tofu

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HEX.3C. First render with english alphas and icons mods.

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iS0 by Simon

Deskmats 900mm x 400mm

ウェイブ　ＷＡＶＥ

エンドゲームＥＮＤＧＡＭＥ

スクウェア　ＳＱＵＡＲＥ

Collaborations

RAMA x Masterpiece

ナイフ　ＫＮＩＦＥ

Get the tools of traditional japanese craftsmen on your keyboard made of finest brass. The shape is reminiscent of a tried and tested blade, or a chisel. You decide.

Gold PVD brass

Black PVD brass

マスター　ＭＡＳＴＥＲ

Get yourself the spirit of a true skilled master on your keyboard.

Gold PVD brass

Zeuscables x Masterpiece

ライト　ＬＩＧＨＴ

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ダーク　ＤＡＲＫ

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https://www.zeuscables.store/masterpiece

Real lighting environment

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The blue shade depends on the environmental light. All renders were done with the same blue, RAL 240 40 40. The images below give you an idea of how the color might look like in sunlight, on your desk etc. All renders above were done with studio lighting. Most of the time, other sets don't offer renders with different lighting conditions to not confuse buyers. So have a look and trust me, the blue is just fantastic.

Direct afternoon summer sun. Notice the keyboard (J80) lying in the shadow

A beautiful workplace in the afternoon sun

In your kitchen on a cloudy day (scene by JaeArtist)

Group Buy is live! Find your vendor above!

Interest Check thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=103111.0

A Discord channel is available for updates and further discussion here https://discord.gg/xBUCEgq

Thank you for your attention!

Thank you to everyone that helped and supported this set! This project wouldn't be possible with the help from the awesome community! Thanks to: 159 from ProjectKeyboard, Yuliaa from Mykeyboard, Stef from SwitchKeys, Louis from iLumkb and jerrolds from deskhero, Kate from RAMA, Oblotzky, Abec13, Dixie, Chokkan, Nasp, OneCreativeMind, JaeArtist, Simon, jer, uoma2, Kasterborous, Moridin, SoraNoTenshi, whole german keyboard community, everyone in the Masterpiece discord, the japanese community and last but not least every supporter of this fantastic set!

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 30 April 2020, 18:36:33 »

Reserved

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 00:06:02 »

Approved

Boy_314 · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 00:14:28 »

amazing

2003987 · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 00:22:45 »

Whats the size of the desmat?

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 03:04:57 »

Quote from: 2003987 on Fri, 01 May 2020, 00:22:45

Whats the size of the desmat?

Deskmat size is 900mm x 400mm

num · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 04:13:16 »

I'm in. All sets look amazing and love the color. Great work!

bukowski · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 04:43:35 »

Will mykeyboard be fast enough with their storepage to get the double entry for the kepler?

quickbrownfox · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 06:28:26 »

Doesn't look like its up on ilumkb yet

Edit: It's up now!

directheatedtriode · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 07:24:25 »

Damn that KNIFE artisan is nice

KetchyKech · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 08:36:25 »

In on Day 1 -- first time going in for RAMA artisan as well - excited!

arkaell · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 08:45:59 »

Just got my order in. Good luck with the GB! Super excited for this set.

timescam · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 09:27:24 »

love the set
iirc that "if the set reaches a higher MOQ point the Katakana escape エスク will be added." is that still a thing?

Sent from my ASUS_I001DC using Tapatalk

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 09:49:28 »

Quote from: timescam on Fri, 01 May 2020, 09:27:24

love the set
iirc that "if the set reaches a higher MOQ point the Katakana escape エスク will be added." is that still a thing?

Sent from my ASUS_I001DC using Tapatalk

Yes, that's the plan. 1x blue and 1x white accent

Fredington · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 10:18:13 »

Any possibility of a R4 1u Fn key being added to Clarity if sales are high enough? Only key missing for a Tsangan layout using Clarity, Preserving, and West.

Arithmetics · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 10:39:43 »

easy buy. nice job scammazing me for 2 RAMAs!

bukowski · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 12:00:28 »

I am in. Went for edit Value, deskpad and RAMA artisan. Lets roll the Kepler-Dice!

lush_bunny · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 01 May 2020, 17:12:23 »

Ordering in two days

dvorcol · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 02 May 2020, 13:25:02 »

switchnollie · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 02 May 2020, 13:29:29 »

That's cool, didn't know GMK was doing the full JP mods now

speaktobrett · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 04:28:31 »

I bought all three Rama caps

break · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 11:48:49 »

Can’t believe it’s finally here! Now to decide on kits and RAMAs...

Techichi · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 15:57:40 »

Beautiful Rama keys. I will most likely grab the brass one.

IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 16:27:36 »

Quote from: switchnollie on Sat, 02 May 2020, 13:29:29

That's cool, didn't know GMK was doing the full JP mods now

Because of the molds made for this set, I think. Should be cheaper to use in the future.

DukeEsquire · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 16:58:27 »

I just entered the giveaway, but the form never asked for my order number.

How is the raffle supposed to work since it says it's based on the number of base kits purchased?

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 03 May 2020, 18:39:27 »

Quote from: DukeEsquire on Sun, 03 May 2020, 16:58:27

I just entered the giveaway, but the form never asked for my order number.

How is the raffle supposed to work since it says it's based on the number of base kits purchased?

I will keep track by using emails. Make sure that you use the same mail with which you placed the order. You will receive a Kepler spot for every order with a GMK Masterpiece Value (base) kit. It's not based on the number of base kits purchased

yhs · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 04 May 2020, 07:26:30 »

Count me in!

//gainsborough · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 04 May 2020, 19:31:47 »

~~I'm filling out the form, and I purchased 7v through NK, but I don't see them listed on the form.~~

edit: holy **** I'm a moron. God I'm buying too much stuff...

r4bbl3d4bbl3 · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 04 May 2020, 20:18:50 »

Quote from: //gainsborough on Mon, 04 May 2020, 19:31:47

~~I'm filling out the form, and I purchased 7v through NK, but I don't see them listed on the form.~~

edit: holy **** I'm a moron. God I'm buying too much stuff...

We've all been there my friend.

lush_bunny · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 04 May 2020, 20:46:48 »

Quote from: //gainsborough on Mon, 04 May 2020, 19:31:47

~~I'm filling out the form, and I purchased 7v through NK, but I don't see them listed on the form.~~

edit: holy **** I'm a moron. God I'm buying too much stuff...

What is this too much you speak of?

bisoromi · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 05 May 2020, 22:54:28 »

Someone gonna buy this for their LZ-MP and make an r/ck post with the title “Masterpiece on my Masterpiece”

Solotov · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 05 May 2020, 22:57:36 »

Quote from: bisoromi on Tue, 05 May 2020, 22:54:28

Someone gonna buy this for their LZ-MP and make an r/ck post with the title “Masterpiece on my Masterpiece”

Damn never thought of this before. Now, I'm tempted to put this set on my MP

)

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 07 May 2020, 08:11:19 »

We had a good start. Thank you all for the support

We've already reached half of the MOQ.

Value / Base: 250
Clarity / Icons: 56
Preserving / Spacebars: 77
West / Latin alphas: 52

Wave: 106
Endgame: 133
Square: 22

Knife Gold: 79
Knife Black: 60
Master: 64

Now enjoy this stunning fanart by @kinterra_

dvorcol · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 07 May 2020, 18:11:10 »

More

Quote from: Energieschleuder on Thu, 07 May 2020, 08:11:19

We had a good start. Thank you all for the support We've already reached half of the MOQ.

Value / Base: 250
Clarity / Icons: 56
Preserving / Spacebars: 77
West / Latin alphas: 52

Wave: 106
Endgame: 133
Square: 22

Knife Gold: 79
Knife Black: 60
Master: 64

Now enjoy this stunning fanart by @kinterra_
Show Image

More

<-- progress

heliar_mk · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 10 May 2020, 19:52:54 »

I have a little worried about the dismatch of the custom color between the screen and the real world. Have you ask gmk to provide the color of this？

lakeboredom · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 11 May 2020, 04:01:50 »

Phew, I think this was actually my most expensive GMK order.. so far

In for every kit, a deskmat, and 2 knife caps

bloodyxkatana · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 11 May 2020, 06:54:57 »

Square deskmat gives me serious Louis Vuitton Damier vibes. I dig it. Really nice clean set.

break · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:10:15 »

Quote from: heliar_mk on Sun, 10 May 2020, 19:52:54

I have a little worried about the dismatch of the custom color between the screen and the real world. Have you ask gmk to provide the color of this？

Sampling is a required process of keyset manufacturing nowadays, so I imagine Energie will spend time making sure GMK gets this color right.

In fact, he might have already? I vaguely recall seeing a sample on the #gmk-masterpiece channel in Project Keyboard’s Discord.

heliar_mk · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 11 May 2020, 22:14:15 »

Quote from: breakbeatzors on Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:10:15

Quote from: heliar_mk on Sun, 10 May 2020, 19:52:54
I have a little worried about the dismatch of the custom color between the screen and the real world. Have you ask gmk to provide the color of this？

Sampling is a required process of keyset manufacturing nowadays, so I imagine Energie will spend time making sure GMK gets this color right.

In fact, he might have already? I vaguely recall seeing a sample on the #gmk-masterpiece channel in Project Keyboard’s Discord.

Although the sampling is a required process，I found some project‘s final color is not match the render one, like the gmk peach, the real one seems much more darker than the one on screen. So I think maybe we should get the final color sample before group buy closed

IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 11 May 2020, 22:27:07 »

sets have been waiting more than a month for color matching pre Covid and unless it was ordered in early April along with incredible luck there’s not gonna be an actual sample before GB close.

It’s probably a touch darker than the render in real life. Lotta blue/purple sets go that way.

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 13 May 2020, 14:42:17 »

Quote from: heliar_mk on Mon, 11 May 2020, 22:14:15

Although the sampling is a required process，I found some project‘s final color is not match the render one, like the gmk peach, the real one seems much more darker than the one on screen. So I think maybe we should get the final color sample before group buy closed

I would like to kindly remind you that the images are 3D renderings and are for illustration purposes only. The final colors may differ slightly. I can recommend to buy yourself a RAL sheet sample if you are really worried about how the color will look like in the end. Even photos are not accurate. Only in real life you can see the colors correctly. Experienced GMK users know what I mean

I will use *insert custom blue* as reference and adjust slightly if necessary.

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 13 May 2020, 17:31:38 »

I reached out Plastikschnittstelle and he was kind enough to do some renders for Masterpiece! Underneath is a terracotta tile, in case you wonder what that is. GMK Masterpiece on an HMKB-60 stainless steel (with stainless steel screws). The GB for the Heavy Metal Keyboard is live!

bukowski · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 14 May 2020, 04:00:01 »

Those renders are beautiful

Mizuyoukan · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 14 May 2020, 09:20:11 »

I joined the GB.

I'm a Japanese and would like to suggest on the legend for "caps lock" key. The base kit has two caps lock keys, but each key has a different katakana characters, i.e., "キャップス" and "キャップスロック".

caps = キャプス (It is rare to use "キャップス")
lock = ロック

I think that "キャプスロック" is more suitable for the kit. The legend is composed by two Japanese words. If you break it into two lines, "キャプス/ロック" may be better. Of course I understand that non-Japanese speaks don't care it and "キャップ/スロック" may be stable design in view of the character length.

And I noted that some important keys in ISO layout are missing.

Energieschleuder · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 14 May 2020, 16:00:12 »

Quote from: Mizuyoukan on Thu, 14 May 2020, 09:20:11

I joined the GB.

I'm a Japanese and would like to suggest on the legend for "caps lock" key. The base kit has two caps lock keys, but each key has a different katakana characters, i.e., "キャップス" and "キャップスロック".

caps = キャプス (It is rare to use "キャップス")
lock = ロック

I think that "キャプスロック" is more suitable for the kit. The legend is composed by two Japanese words. If you break it into two lines, "キャプス/ロック" may be better. Of course I understand that non-Japanese speaks don't care it and "キャップ/スロック" may be stable design in view of the character length.

And I noted that some important keys in ISO layout are missing.

Thanks for joining!

You're right, キャプス/ロック is indeed the better option because it can fit on the Caps Lock key without oddly splitting it up. And it can fit easily into given space. I'll make sure キャプスロック is used instead of キャップスロック.

Can you elaborate which important ISO keys are missing? I am an ISO user myself, and don't think (important) ISO keys are missing

Mizuyoukan · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 14 May 2020, 21:20:17 »

Quote from: Energieschleuder on Thu, 14 May 2020, 16:00:12

Thanks for joining!
You're right, キャプス/ロック is indeed the better option because it can fit on the Caps Lock key without oddly splitting it up. And it can fit easily into given space. I'll make sure キャプスロック is used instead of キャップスロック.

Can you elaborate which important ISO keys are missing? I am an ISO user myself, and don't think (important) ISO keys are missing

Thank you for your reply!

Sorry ISO keys are covered, while I'm not familiar with "proper ISO Japanese layout" which you mentioned. And I understand you designed without the JIS bottom row.

Ctrl. is of course the shorted form of control, but we don't have a short form of "コントロール" and never use "コント" for control key. "コント" means a comedy skit. Esc. is "エスケープ". Back space is usually "バックスペース", some times called "バック".I know they are too long for 1U key!

kidviddy · « **Reply #46 on:** Thu, 14 May 2020, 23:48:17 »

Hello Mizuyoukan,

Excuse my jumping in, and thank you for your input on the modifier legends in this set. Like you, I am a JIS user and joined this community just a week or so ago in order to try to raise awareness of issues related to proper JIS support, as we are very much a minority!

As I see it, there are two parts to having good JIS support in a layout: the “alphas”, and the modifiers. From the point of view of the alphas, there are three extra keys in JIS when compared with ANSI; that is ー, む, and ろ in a kana set like this one. ISO has a key in the same position as む, and it also has an extra key on the bottom row, although in the case of ISO it is placed to the left rather than the right. The key to the left of backspace, ー, is lacking in both ISO and ANSI. I believe Masterpiece provides excellent support for all three of these keys.

The other side of JIS support is the modifiers: these are the 変換/無変換 buttons on either side of the space bar (英数/かな on the Mac), plus the 全角/半角 and ひらがな/かたかな buttons on the PC layout. In order to accommodate these, the space bar must be made small enough to add two or three more keys on the bottom row. Exacerbating this problem is the fact that every JIS layout is different! The Filco Minila / GH60 require a 3U space, the HHKB is I think 3.25U, the Archiss Maestro 2S is something like 4 or 4.5... the list goes on. It is thus very difficult for keyset designers to support a full JIS bottom row.

Because of this ambiguity, I am still working on recommendations to give to designers with regards JIS modifier support. I want to find a set of suggestions which will be useful for a wide range of JIS layouts but not require designers to add too many keys. Until I can do that, I am focusing my attention on JIS alpha key support, which Masterpiece already covers very well.

Nevertheless, I have spent some time looking at the keys available in the Masterpiece kits and how they could be arranged for a variety of JIS layouts. I would be happy to share these with you if it would be helpful.

I would be very interested to discuss JIS support with you further, as I think with the popularity of kana sublegends and monolegends recently it is starting to be taken more seriously. 日本語でも構いませんので、もし興味があれば是非、プライベートメッセージでご連絡ください！

Mizuyoukan · « **Reply #47 on:** Fri, 15 May 2020, 01:17:14 »

Hi kidviddy

Thank you.

Quote from: kidviddy on Thu, 14 May 2020, 23:48:17

As I see it, there are two parts to having good JIS support in a layout: the “alphas”, and the modifiers. From the point of view of the alphas, there are three extra keys in JIS when compared with ANSI; that is ー, む, and ろ in a kana set like this one. ISO has a key in the same position as む, and it also has an extra key on the bottom row, although in the case of ISO it is placed to the left rather than the right. The key to the left of backspace, ー, is lacking in both ISO and ANSI. I believe Masterpiece provides excellent support for all three of these keys.

Yes, they well done for the three keys! JIS layout has too much keys even compared with ISO. The layouts image of ANSI/ISO/JIS is attached for other guys' easy reference (from Wikipedia JA).

Quote from: kidviddy on Thu, 14 May 2020, 23:48:17

The other side of JIS support is the modifiers: these are the 変換/無変換 buttons on either side of the space bar (英数/かな on the Mac), plus the 全角/半角 and ひらがな/かたかな buttons on the PC layout. In order to accommodate these, the space bar must be made small enough to add two or three more keys on the bottom row. Exacerbating this problem is the fact that every JIS layout is different! The Filco Minila / GH60 require a 3U space, the HHKB is I think 3.25U, the Archiss Maestro 2S is something like 4 or 4.5... the list goes on. It is thus very difficult for keyset designers to support a full JIS bottom row.

Because of this ambiguity, I am still working on recommendations to give to designers with regards JIS modifier support. I want to find a set of suggestions which will be useful for a wide range of JIS layouts but not require designers to add too many keys. Until I can do that, I am focusing my attention on JIS alpha key support, which Masterpiece already covers very well.

Haha

) Every keyboard or laptop pc has different layout! Especially right bottom area is the chaos!
When we set a programable layout, we assign Japanese modifiers with tap/hold function, eg. "変換" on tap and "control" when it is held.

Frankly speaking most Japanese people don't use kana legends, which is the legacy of word-processer era. We use the alphabetic input method, but have to switch Japanese/alphabets with using "半角/全角" key or combination of "変換" and "無変換". I have never used "ひらがな/カタカナ"!

As for the JIS bottom row, I think it is only way to replace right control, os or menu keys to Japanese keys. So 1U or 1.25U keys may be fine.

Quote from: kidviddy on Thu, 14 May 2020, 23:48:17

Nevertheless, I have spent some time looking at the keys available in the Masterpiece kits and how they could be arranged for a variety of JIS layouts. I would be happy to share these with you if it would be helpful.

I would be very interested to discuss JIS support with you further, as I think with the popularity of kana sublegends and monolegends recently it is starting to be taken more seriously. 日本語でも構いませんので、もし興味があれば是非、プライベートメッセージでご連絡ください！

I know non-Japanese loves カタカナ, but I cannot understand

As usually foreign guys loves a country's culture much more than its citizen!

I' ll send a pm to you.

heliar_mk · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 18 May 2020, 23:45:13 »

Any number update？

Techichi · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 21 May 2020, 18:09:34 »

Grabbed the Rama cap in brass.

News:

Author Topic: [GB] GMK Masterpiece (Read 201553 times)