[IC] MB-44 v2 - A Fun 40% Keyboard Refreshed

[MelonBred]

Welcome to the MB-44 v2 Interest Check!



MB-44 was my first project back in 2021, and now we're back with a refreshed design in both case and PCB. This project has been a long time coming, but I'm happy to finally put this out to check your interest!

Click Here for IC Form



What's changed since the original MB-44?
The MB-44 v2 is the follow up to the original MB-44 that ran in 2021 with some modernization and quality of life features that bring the MB-44 up to 2025 standards. The case has been reworked to tighten up all tolerances to provide a fit and finish that you'd expect from a premium keyboard experience.

The following are a few improvements that were made:

• Effective key height (EKH) reduced from 24.6mm to 22.2mm
• PCB updated to STM32 from ATmega MCU.
• Updated from C3 variant of the Unified Daughter Board (UDB) to the S1 variant.
• PCB and bottom case cavity reduced to eliminate unnecessary reverberations.
• Brass interior cover plate and accent weight to provide some sound dampening and cover for the UDB cable.
• Plate mounting uses Geon's tadpoles.

What hasn't changed?
The original MB-44 was meant to be a premium 40% offering with a fun 65%-esque blocker and version 2 is no different. While the case has had an over-haul with a complete redesign from the ground up, we've continued the lofted case bottom from v1 with a refined side profile and radii.

Layout
MB-44 v2 offers full 6.25u spacebar and 275/225 & 300/300 split bars


Plate Material
Plate will be FR4; however, plate files will be made available for folks who want different plate materials. As mentioned earlier, the plate will be mounted with Geon tadpoles.

Pricing and Availability
We are aiming to keep the price of the kit to $350 plus shipping.

MOQ is 25 units and there is potential for this to be an in-stock kit with pre-orders.

Color offering will depend on the amount of interest and results of the interest check. Clear anodization will be the default option with additional colors depending on the amount of interest.

I am currently thinking of running this myself, but I am certainly open to working with vendors. This is also very dependent on the amount of interest.



Colors?
Silver (clear ano) will be the default option. The other two colors that are currently listed are:

• Strawberry Milk (pink)
• Marimo (deep green)

You might be wondering, "what the heck is a Marimo?" Well well well, marimo are small balls of algae that has various shades of green. The deep green offered here varies depending on the ambient lighting just like a marimo. It's a very difficult color to photograph but gorgeous in all conditions.

Additional Prototype Photos



Please let me know if there are any questions on this project. I'm happy to answer them to the best of my ability. Looking forward to any and all discussions!

Click Here for IC Form

[ivanh98]

what a cool layout/board and that green!

[bombay.duck]

The board that got me into 40s! So happy to see this back.

[MartinThePolarBear]

This looks great! Just filled out the IC

[Kokaloo]

return of the king

[ggggggg]

LAE and 5u spacebar support bitteschön?

[phatmasterq]

hey! this is great! MB-44 v1 was one of my first keyboard builds!! great little keyboard, might get it out today. GLWIC

[TheManicGeek]

GLWIC, this is such a nice-looking board!

[MelonBred]

I really appreciate the kind words, y'all. We've been getting a good turnout on the IC form so far, so thank you!

LAE and 5u spacebar support bitteschön?

LAE will be added to the PCB, but 5u bar support won't make it. We'll have plate files and KiCAD files for folks who want to make custom layouts though.

[rrdaud]

This looks lovely but... will there be an HHKB version?

[MelonBred]

This looks lovely but... will there be an HHKB version?

Thanks for the kind words! But no, there will not be an HHKB version.

[MelonBred]

Xinxinwong will be building an MB-44 v2 on stream tonight at 6pm PT!

https://www.twitch.tv/xinxinwong

[LogolicusZ]

Very lovely board!

[PPmonster]

Nice!!! I like it.

[MelonBred]

I didn't reserve the first post like a dummy, but here's the Pre-Order Details!


MB-44 v2 will be a Pre-Order & In-Stock Sale



Pre-orders will be open from November 8th through December 8th, 2025 at a price of $325 USD
Excluding tax and shipping. VAT, import duties, and/or other fees will be applicable for international customers.


MB-44 v2 kits will be available at:

• Melonbred Shop - US and International
  
• Yushakobo - Japan/Asia
  
• KeebSupply - EU
  

The MB-44 v2 kits will be available in:

• Silver
• Marimo (deep green)
• Strawberry Milk (pink)

and the kits will include:

• MB-44 v2 case (top, bottom and matte brass weight)
• Mainboard PCB
• S1 Unified Daughter Board
• Molex cable to connect the mainboard and S1 daughterboard
• FR4 universal plate
• Hardware, Geon Tadpoles, and bumpons

Extra PCBs will also be available to add to your order.[/size]

So what does Pre-Order really mean?
Pre-order means that the manufacturers have already been paid, and production will start this week. We hope this is a better alternative to a group-buy where we do not have to rely an customer purchases to fund the project. However, this comes with one minor drawback. MB-44 v2 kits will be limited to around 50 units that are split between Melonbred Shop, Yushakobo, and KeebSupply.

What happens after Pre-Order?
Pre-orders will be between November 8th through December 8th, or until pre-order units sell out. This will give some time for us to prepare packaging through the holidays, and we estimate shipping to begin in January 2026. *Please note that this is an estimate, and we will update everyone if the timeline changes.

After the Pre-Order period and orders have shipped to customers, any remaining units will be available as In-Stock at a price of $350 excluding tax, shipping and other fees (import duties).

What about resource files?

• Plate files will be available on our site and GitHub.
• PCB (KiCAD) files will be available on GitHub.
• VIAL/QMK has already been merged to VIAL main here