Super rare IBM Model M - Only 4 in exsistance!

[The_Beast]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAREST-IBM-Model-M-clicky-Keyboard-ever-only-4-known-MANDOLIN-CRYSTAL-/181159554873?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2df36f39

Such a #legit deal!

[kmiller8]

#MANDOLINCRYSTAL

[calavera]

I'm seriously getting tired of that crystal BULL****. Didn't he get **** from literally every forum he posted? tsk tsk

[tp4tissue]

so , this is not rare?

[The_Beast]

so , this is not rare?

"This keyboard is even rarer than SSK, Industrial and M15 put together."

must be rare

[keymaster]

The seller sounds like a real douchebag. I hope he's trying to be sarcastic, but I seriously doubt it.

[metafour]

**** yeah. Round 2. I believe this is half the previous eBay asking price.

[hoggy]

Hope he gets what he deserves.  I hate having to step over such listings. 

Maybe I should check mine - if I find a 5th I'll devalue his stock.

[dorkvader]

**** yeah. Round 2. I believe this is half the previous eBay asking price.

My only qualm with the auction is that while there exists photographic evidence of at least four of these on the internet, there are likely more than four in existence. Still, I can't just PM everyone with an early M to take theirs apart, can I?

Still, it's a good looking keyboard. You never know what it's worth to a collector.

[Larken]

actually, the previous listing was increased to 1500 for some reason. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEST-MODEL-IBM-Model-M-Keyboard-Silver-Label-Resilient-Crystal-Clock-4Mhz-/181151999637

I don't usually have a problem with people listing what they think is a right price for their item (if its too high, just walk away), but I have to agree that this is pretty ridiculous. doubt there's only 4 in existence either.

[fohat.digs]

Like the bar advertising "the coldest beer in the world" and the owner says "As far as I know, nobody else's is colder!"

PS - the keyboard universe begins and ends with Geekhack. That's why Ripster was the #1 keyboard expert in the world!

[Mandolin]

You keep on advertising my sales, stahp please 

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[asura]

I know little or nothing about most of it... However, as a budding gemmologist I feel I must point something out.

"[...]It uses real organic quarts crystal.[...]" from the listing

Quartz is an inorganic compound of silicone and oxygen.  And by real organic I presume you're implying that it's a natural crystal rather than a synthetic?  If so then you're undoubtedly incorrect.  They hydrothermal process is cheep, easy and produces perfect reproducible quartz kilo after kilo.

[dorkvader]

Quartz is an inorganic compound of silicone and oxygen.  And by real organic I presume you're implying that it's a natural crystal rather than a synthetic?  If so then you're undoubtedly incorrect.  They hydrothermal process is cheep, easy and produces perfect reproducible quartz kilo after kilo.

Especially since the claim about these crystals is that they are better quality than the metal can type ones, I can't imagine why someone would want to use a natural crystal with all it's impurities over a synthetic.

[Mandolin]

Quartz is an inorganic compound of silicone and oxygen.  And by real organic I presume you're implying that it's a natural crystal rather than a synthetic?  If so then you're undoubtedly incorrect.  They hydrothermal process is cheep, easy and produces perfect reproducible quartz kilo after kilo.

Especially since the claim about these crystals is that they are better quality than the metal can type ones, I can't imagine why someone would want to use a natural crystal with all it's impurities over a synthetic.

Gonna change that then.

[ITzNybble]

Ill be watching this thread grow.....*grabs popcorn and sits back

[1391406]

Mandolin, why do you keep changing the percentage that goes to charity each listing? For example, you changed the percentage to 100% on the last day of your $1,500 listing vs. only 10% for your current listing.

[ed_avis]

Can you use the crystal to realign your orgone chakra energy fields?

[Mandolin]

Mandolin, why do you keep changing the percentage that goes to charity each listing? For example, you changed the percentage to 100% on the last day of your $1,500 listing vs. only 10% for your current listing.

As the final day of the listing approaches, I put it up. It Started as a 40%, then 7X%, then 95% and a hundred at the end. You can't take it back as you'd now. No reason really, just a whim. I could sell it with no charity percentage whatsoever. But I always choose that reasearch center because I'm commited to that cause in particular.

[1391406]

Mandolin, why do you keep changing the percentage that goes to charity each listing? For example, you changed the percentage to 100% on the last day of your $1,500 listing vs. only 10% for your current listing.

As the final day of the listing approaches, I put it up. It Started as a 40%, then 7X%, then 95% and a hundred at the end. You can't take it back as you'd now. No reason really, just a whim. I could sell it with no charity percentage whatsoever. But I always choose that reasearch center because I'm commited to that cause in particular.

Of course you could sell it with no charity attached whatsoever, but it's easy to claim you're not trying to rip people off if an item is linked to a charity, per this interaction:

metafour: "I guess someone's desired end is to take people's money. And lots of it."

Mandolin: "If you'd see in detail the ebay link, you'd get its for a good cause."

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44308.0

It's a good face-saving strategy.

Initially bump up the sell price and maintain a low charity percentage, and if the item fails to sell, raise both the sell price and charity percentage (ultimately to 100% on the last day) so no one will accuse you of price gouging.

[keymaster]

Mandolin, why do you keep changing the percentage that goes to charity each listing? For example, you changed the percentage to 100% on the last day of your $1,500 listing vs. only 10% for your current listing.

As the final day of the listing approaches, I put it up. It Started as a 40%, then 7X%, then 95% and a hundred at the end. You can't take it back as you'd now. No reason really, just a whim. I could sell it with no charity percentage whatsoever. But I always choose that reasearch center because I'm commited to that cause in particular.

Of course you could sell it with no charity attached whatsoever, but it's easy to claim you're not trying to rip people off if an item is linked to a charity, per this interaction:

metafour: "I guess someone's desired end is to take people's money. And lots of it."

Mandolin: "If you'd see in detail the ebay link, you'd get its for a good cause."

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44308.0

It's a good face-saving strategy.

Initially bump up the sell price and maintain a low charity percentage, and if the item fails to sell, raise both the sell price and charity percentage (ultimately to 100% on the last day) so no one will accuse you of price gouging.

You're pretty much spot on. I doubt anyone will buy it at the price listed.

[Mandolin]

Mandolin, why do you keep changing the percentage that goes to charity each listing? For example, you changed the percentage to 100% on the last day of your $1,500 listing vs. only 10% for your current listing.

As the final day of the listing approaches, I put it up. It Started as a 40%, then 7X%, then 95% and a hundred at the end. You can't take it back as you'd now. No reason really, just a whim. I could sell it with no charity percentage whatsoever. But I always choose that reasearch center because I'm commited to that cause in particular.

Of course you could sell it with no charity attached whatsoever, but it's easy to claim you're not trying to rip people off if an item is linked to a charity, per this interaction:

metafour: "I guess someone's desired end is to take people's money. And lots of it."

Mandolin: "If you'd see in detail the ebay link, you'd get its for a good cause."

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44308.0

It's a good face-saving strategy.

Initially bump up the sell price and maintain a low charity percentage, and if the item fails to sell, raise both the sell price and charity percentage (ultimately to 100% on the last day) so no one will accuse you of price gouging.

BRING IT ON! I stepped it up. See how I rip off people with a 100% percent giveaway. 

You either have the money I ask or don't, it doesn't matter what do I do with it, be it charity or some new rolex. That's as far as the buyer need to worry about.

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Maybe I'd relist it 0% charity given percentage some of this days, who knows.

That quote you put was in the context of the last sale, as percetages may vary, it WAS for a good cause back then when I posted it, it might not be in the future for the same reason. Context, context, context.

If somebody offers me a deal outside ebay I might take it.

Face saving what? I've got no reputation to maintain. I didn't even ask for the forum attention, you people keep posting links to my auctions.

[SpAmRaY]

So just for reference how does a buyer know if the proceeds actually go to charity?

I mean 100% of the proceeds of anything I ever sell goes to either the charity called, 'My wife and kids" and/or the charity called "ray's geekhack fund".

[Mandolin]

So just for reference how does a buyer know if the proceeds actually go to charity?

I mean 100% of the proceeds of anything I ever sell goes to either the charity called, 'My wife and kids" and/or the charity called "ray's geekhack fund".

Must trust ebay paypal giving fund hahaha. It wouldn't have to matter to the buyer, the charity is a thing for the seller, the buyer ought to worry to get his item only and have the money to pay for it, because if he was worried about some ONG or something, he/she could deposit to that organization directly.

[Tym]

So just for reference how does a buyer know if the proceeds actually go to charity?

I mean 100% of the proceeds of anything I ever sell goes to either the charity called, 'My wife and kids" and/or the charity called "ray's geekhack fund".

If its on ebay, ebay takes 10% of the money before mandolin gets it, so he only gets 90% then -5% ebay fees then -5% paypal fees etc etc.

[SpAmRaY]

So just for reference how does a buyer know if the proceeds actually go to charity?

I mean 100% of the proceeds of anything I ever sell goes to either the charity called, 'My wife and kids" and/or the charity called "ray's geekhack fund".

Must trust ebay paypal giving fund hahaha. It wouldn't have to matter to the buyer, the charity is a thing for the seller, the buyer ought to worry to get his item only and have the money to pay for it, because if he was worried about some ONG or something, he/she could deposit to that organization directly.

The point I was trying to make is if I am selling something and say I've giving 50% to cancer research then someone might pay more for an item to support a cause. Regardless of what something is 'worth'.

[1391406]

BRING IT ON! I stepped it up. See how I rip off people with a 100% percent giveaway.

You changed the percentage from 10% to 100% only after my previous post pointing out your inconsistency. The change is listed in the item revision history.

You either have the money I ask or don't, it doesn't matter what do I do with it. That's as far as the buyer need to worry about. I can give it away, I can spend it in some crazy pet, but that's my thing.

Who suggested you can't do what you want with the money?

That quote you put was in the context of the last sale, as percetages may vary, it WAS for a good cause when I posted it, it might not be in the future for the same reason. Context, context, context.

I started that thread and followed it. I'm fully aware of the context. You were basically accused of ripping people off. You rejected the notion by saying that the listing was for a good cause.

Face saving what? I've got no reputation to maintain. I didn't even post the link of the auction to the forum btw.

You were attempting to defend the price, were you not?

Personally, I don't really care how much you list it for. If someone's willing to buy it for a million dollars, more power to them. I'd think they're stupid but that's beside the point. The point is you're not very consistent, in my opinion. The only time you seem to care about listing the keyboard for charity (or giving a high percentage to such) is when someone questions your motives or the value of the keyboard. For example, how you changed the charity percentage from 10% to 100% in the last hour. People don't generally trust someone who's not consistent, so if you don't care whether you're consistent or not, that's your prerogative.

[1391406]

The point I was trying to make is if I am selling something and say I've giving 50% to cancer research then someone might pay more for an item to support a cause. Regardless of what something is 'worth'.

If you originally list an item for $400 and give 10% to charity, then a week later raise the charity percentage to 70% but jack the price up to $1,500, you're still making over $400 on the item after charity proceeds. Hence, while it looks like you're giving the bulk of your funds to charity(which you are), you're actually making more than what you originally listed the item for. If the item doesn't sell, you can simply raise the charity percentage to 100% prior to ending the listing to make it appear you're an extremely benevolent soul.

[Mandolin]

If it doesn't sell, no charity from now on. That should resolve the issue, no benevolent soul here.

[1391406]

It it doesn't sell, no charity from now on. That should resolve the issue.

Good for you.

[jalaj]

There's a setting on eB@y to set your auction/BIN item to fund a charity of your choice, with prescreening if it isn't already on their master list. The proceeds should automatically go to the charity organization. That's what I'm assuming from their FAQ.

[SpAmRaY]

It it doesn't sell, no charity from now on. That should resolve the issue, no benevolent soul here.

I think we as geekhackers just don't want to see anyone getting ripped off....

Not saying that's what your doing or anything.

[Mandolin]

It it doesn't sell, no charity from now on. That should resolve the issue, no benevolent soul here.

I think we as geekhackers just don't want to see anyone getting ripped off....

Not saying that's what your doing or anything.

Heaven does not have a pricetag.

[Dimswitch]

10/10. Probably the most elaborate troll I've ever seen.

[hoggy]

On an unrelated note, how can I add someone to the ignore list?

[jwaz]

On an unrelated note, how can I add someone to the ignore list?

geekhack » Profile of hoggy » Buddies/Ignore List » Edit Buddies

[hoggy]

That's much better!  Thanks!

PS - JZ, sorry for the off topic post.

[berserkfan]

is this listing for real, or is it just a joke? $1000 for whatever bs crystals?

[Mandolin]

is this listing for real, or is it just a joke? $1000 for whatever bs crystals?

Real my friend, real as it gets.

[berserkfan]

what makes these crystals so unique and special, is what I'd like to know. Being 'of good quality' doesn't cut it.

[alaricljs]

In terms of impact to the keyboard as a keyboard, nothing.

In terms of impact to the keyboard as a collectors item., nothing if you don't have issues of some sort.

[Mandolin]

what makes these crystals so unique and special, is what I'd like to know. Being 'of good quality' doesn't cut it.

Crystal by itself nothing, you could buy a KG of quartz at your local store.
This particular square, w/4 pins, uncanned 4mhz high resilience crystal in a model M, is pretty rare.

It gives you epic bragging rights

[berserkfan]

haha! bragging rights! Yup, it takes a collector to appreciate these things!

[Mandolin]

.

[1391406]

I consider myself a collector of sorts, but it'd take something other than a rare quartz crystal to make it a collectible for me.

[nubbinator]

Mandolin threads never cease to amuse me.  Looks like I need to bust out the popcorn.  When he first showed up, I noticed he was racing to try and hit the min for classifieds so that he could sell stuff to the community and make a profit off of it.

[Mandolin]

Info added to the sale: Crystal made by TEW denpa co. ltd (Tokyo, japan), outer shell made of glass.

[dorkvader]

Info added to the sale: Crystal made by TEW denpa co. ltd (Tokyo, japan), outer shell made of glass.

Interesting! Where did you come by this information? I wonder if we can find out more, like the ppm specification.

[Mandolin]

Info added to the sale: Crystal made by TEW denpa co. ltd (Tokyo, japan), outer shell made of glass.

Interesting! Where did you come by this information? I wonder if we can find out more, like the ppm specification.

In the same crystal: Y1: 1351544 4.00MHz TEW5 43 A

TEW appeared after looking it up was as prominent company specializing in crystal oscillators from way back, as of today, hence the link.
The first number must be the model or manufacturer ID of some sort, but its not currently listed anywhere. I sent a inquiry to them to see if the could get me some more info and I'm waiting for the answer.
The outer glass shell is because at the time it was used, but I must confirm it still.

I recommend this series of videos to anyone wanting to get a quick review of crystal oscillators. He shows some vintage ones:

Finally, to sum up my sentiment:

When the rain came I thought you'd leave
Cause I knew how much you loved the Crystal
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
Through the darkest nights Ive ever known
If the mandolin wind couldnt change a thing
Then I know I love ya

Oh the rubber domes fell without a break
Model M died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost twenty five years
I couldnt believe you kept your shine
Now I can rest assured knowing that weve seen the worst
And I know I love ya

Oh I never was good with romantic words
So the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what Ive got is yours
Except of course my crystal
Ha, cause I know you don't play canned
But I'll teach you one day
Because I love ya

I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your caps were thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldnt change a thing
Couldnt change a thing no, no

The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
Could never, never change your mind

And I love yer 4 Mhz
Yes indeed and I love your trans-lu-cen-cy
And I love yer Quartz
Lordy I love ya Crystal

[Soarer]

Sigh. From my LED-less 1386719...



IBM put their own part numbers on just about everything they could - from the CPU down to the smaller logic chips - probably anything big enough to print on. Most likely 1000s of crystals as well.