Recommendations for first "Vintage" Keyboard (Start of Collection)

[Gunni]

Hello Everyone,

So I have just purchased my first mechanical keyboard; a CM STORM Quickfire TK with Cherry MX Brown switches, it's amazing.

Now I want to start collecting keyboards, older keyboards. What should I start with? Where should I buy from? I've already been recommended an IBM Model M.

I've also discovered the following sites which seem to be selling old keyboards: http://pckeyboard.com/ http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

My budget's sorta tight as I'm fairly young and I only have a part-time job, under $90 would be good.

I'm going to bed now, I'll read/reply to your responses tommorow.

Nighty night,
~ Gunni

[CPTBadAss]

Search eBay for an SSK or Model M (1391401). SSK might be a harder find for that price range but you can easily find 1391401's for that price range.

[terran5992]

Dreaming big eh?

I like it

[keymaster]

Dolch PAC. It has vintage MX blues which feels a lot nicer than the current manufactured ones. The Dolch also looks really good.

[Tarzan]

Dolch PAC. It has vintage MX blues which feels a lot nicer than the current manufactured ones. The Dolch also looks really good.

I'd definitely second this suggestion, finally got one myself and I love it.

I would also recommend one of the older Cherry models, like the G80-1501 (lurve those keycaps!) or if you're feeling like branching out to something rarer; a G80-2550 or G80-3000. 

Then there are all the Alps variants to try...   )

[vivalarevolución]

I recommend getting into vintage Alps keyboards.  You will swear off Cherry after that.  Apple Extended Keyboards can be had for cheap.

[Dubsgalore]

Check out ebay and ebay.de
check out taobao
I would start with dolch, if you want to start simple

[AKIMbO]

Some good boards under $90:
-Chicony KB5181 (monterey blues...light and clicky)
-Zenith ZKB2-AT (linear green or yellow alps)
-IBM Model M (buckling spring over membrane)

[morpheus]

Beware of vintage keyboards on Ebay. Several purchases of vintage Alps keyboards have been pieces of crap, not as advertised. Yes, you could spend time and money restoring them, if you are so inclined. But, I would stay away from Ebay items unless I was absolutely sure that it was either NIB, or almost NIB. If you really want the best Alps experience, I would go with Matias Keyboards, because you're basically getting a more elegant version of whatever vintage Alps you're looking for.

I know this is a hobbyist site, and that there is a certain appeal to using a vintage board, so I won't belabor my point. As far as vintage keyboards go, you can't go wrong with an IBM Model M. My first ever mech keyboard was a Unicomp Spacesaver which was basically a newer Model M, which I later purchased from Ebay for about $35 (The Unicomp broke because I spilled some liquid into it).

[Puddsy]

Avoid anything ALPS. Everything else should be OK.

[Photekq]

Avoid anything ALPS.

?
Alps switches are really nice.

OP, get cherry G80 boards, especially G80-1xxx.

[Dubsgalore]

Avoid anything ALPS. Everything else should be OK.

ALPS might be the best start, tbh

[dante]

I recommend getting into vintage Alps keyboards.  You will swear off Cherry after that.  Apple Extended Keyboards can be had for cheap.

I didn't care for either of the Extended's.  IMHO Apple's pinnacle was the Apple ][GS w/ SMK's.  Absolutely excellent switches and keycaps.

If I were entering a typing competition for cash this would be the board I would bring.

But enough about me; I would keep a look out for this board as Extended's will always turn up but this a very rare bird as it can come with other switch types.

[dorkvader]

I would start with a model M (almost definitely under your budget) as it's quintessential to a "collection" as one of the most recognized keyboards there is. Another option is to get a model F, you can probably get a 122 or possibly an AT for under $90 if you look hard enough.

[Sniping]

I'd recommend a Model M or Chicony 5181.

[Game Theory]

Model M

[vivalarevolución]

I recommend getting into vintage Alps keyboards.  You will swear off Cherry after that.  Apple Extended Keyboards can be had for cheap.

I didn't care for either of the Extended's.  IMHO Apple's pinnacle was the Apple ][GS w/ SMK's.  Absolutely excellent switches and keycaps.

If I were entering a typing competition for cash this would be the board I would bring.

But enough about me; I would keep a look out for this board as Extended's will always turn up but this a very rare bird as it can come with other switch types.

You are correct.  I retract my earlier statement.

As someone mentioned earlier, Monterey blues are great as well.

[fohat.digs]

"Start of Collection" sets out a plan of action.

You certainly need an example of each of the major switch types, and some manufacturers produce multiple variants.

The IBM Model M is the quintessential vintage keyboard and an early "must-have" for any collection.

Alps switches seem to produce love/hate relationships, personally I like them a lot, but you might have to buy several to find a couple of good ones.

Too bad you live in Oz, shipping from the US in a flat rate game board box is $78 so that does not leave much .....

[tonyl0822]

could not understand~

[1391406]

Out of all the keyboards I own(the list is in my signature), I'd probably recommend starting with something like a Dell AT101W (if you're okay with owning a non-clicky keyboard) or an Apple Extended Keyboard(the first one -- not the Extended II).  I mean, sure, if you can find an IBM Model F (AT) within your budget, that would be the first thing I'd recommend, but it's highly unlikely.

[larrymoencurly]

Virtually anything with a big AT plug on it and isn't BTC.

I've seen few heavy keyboards that weren't good, even the rubber dome type.

[hoggy]

Virtually anything with a big AT plug on it and isn't BTC.

or fujitsu...

[larrymoencurly]

Virtually anything with a big AT plug on it and isn't BTC.

or fujitsu...

I thought Fujitsu was very good.  I had one with a bunch of stainless steel leaf springs instead of coils or domes, and the feel was the best of any no-click keyboard except for a no-name, made-in-Taiwan 83-key (XT only) that had an anti-ghosting diode for each switch. 

[Gunni]

Okay so I think an IBM Model M might be the way to go. However, postage to Australia is quite expensive. What should I do?

Is there any good Australian Keyboard Sellers? 

[Gunni]

I just found a 'Win 95 IBM Keyboard' on eBay for $30...does anyone know anything about that keyboard? I would post a link but I don't want anyone to buy it before I can

[terrpn]

i don't think so........

send me the link back channel and i'll look

don't worry-- i won't bid on it

[Findecanor]

If you are thinking of starting a collection (any type of collection), ask yourself: What is the focus of my collecting? Why do I want to collect? What do I want to accomplish?
Some collections want to "catch them all", and get excited in finding rare things. I collect keyboards because I am interested in the tech, and have a desire to learn more and to in the long run contribute something to the art of keyboards.

In collecting, going out there and just getting what you want is hard. You have to watch eBay (or similar sites) regularly and wait for the opportunity to arise.
Most of my vintage keyboards were acquired at very low monetary cost, but I have spent a whole lot of time on the 'Net looking for them before I found them.
Back when I started, whenever I found a keyboard for sale, I used the old Geekhack Wiki a lot to find out what it was.
When that went down (before the existing Geekhack Wiki), I contributed to the Deskthority Wiki, and the two Wikis are now better and more useful than the old GH Wiki was.

I just found a 'Win 95 IBM Keyboard' on eBay for $30...does anyone know anything about that keyboard? I would post a link but I don't want anyone to buy it before I can

You need images, to compare to other keyboards. Or go by the model numbers or FCC IDs on keyboard's label.
Keyword spamming is rampant on eBay, and eBay does not want to do anything about that. "IBM" usually means only "IBM-compatible". "Clicky" is often misused because unlike us, eBay considers "clicky" to be a "subjective term" (their words in a reply from when someone here complained to them) .... 
Most vintage keyboards with Windows keys (for Win95 and later) are not mechanical, but there are some exceptions. The Dell AT101W for instance.

[terrpn]

If you are thinking of starting a collection (any type of collection), ask yourself: What is the focus of my collecting? Why do I want to collect? What do I want to accomplish?
Some collections want to "catch them all", and get excited in finding rare things. I collect keyboards because I am interested in the tech, and have a desire to learn more and to in the long run contribute something to the art of keyboards.

In collecting, going out there and just getting what you want is hard. You have to watch eBay (or similar sites) regularly and wait for the opportunity to arise.
Most of my vintage keyboards were acquired at very low monetary cost, but I have spent a whole lot of time on the 'Net looking for them before I found them.
Back when I started, whenever I found a keyboard for sale, I used the old Geekhack Wiki a lot to find out what it was.
When that went down (before the existing Geekhack Wiki), I contributed to the Deskthority Wiki, and the two Wikis are now better and more useful than the old GH Wiki was.

I just found a 'Win 95 IBM Keyboard' on eBay for $30...does anyone know anything about that keyboard? I would post a link but I don't want anyone to buy it before I can

You need images, to compare to other keyboards. Or go by the model numbers or FCC IDs on keyboard's label.
Keyword spamming is rampant on eBay, and eBay does not want to do anything about that. "IBM" usually means only "IBM-compatible". "Clicky" is often misused because unlike us, eBay considers "clicky" to be a "subjective term" (their words in a reply from when someone here complained to them) .... 
Most vintage keyboards with Windows keys (for Win95 and later) are not mechanical, but there are some exceptions. The Dell AT101W for instance.

great post.........

[dorkvader]

I just found a 'Win 95 IBM Keyboard' on eBay for $30...does anyone know anything about that keyboard? I would post a link but I don't want anyone to buy it before I can

It's most likely got windows keys and is a rubber dome.

If you are in Australia, your best option might be getting one from taobao. M's aren't too common on ebay australia and shipping one from the US will be difficult to stay under budget.

[keymaster]

I think ALPS keyboards would be great for a first round of vintage keyboards, as they tend to be inexpensive. The more expensive ones such as Dolch can be purchased later on.

[Gunni]

i don't think so........

send me the link back channel and i'll look

don't worry-- i won't bid on it

Cheers, I've PMed you the link

If you are thinking of starting a collection (any type of collection), ask yourself: What is the focus of my collecting? Why do I want to collect? What do I want to accomplish?
Some collections want to "catch them all", and get excited in finding rare things. I collect keyboards because I am interested in the tech, and have a desire to learn more and to in the long run contribute something to the art of keyboards.

In collecting, going out there and just getting what you want is hard. You have to watch eBay (or similar sites) regularly and wait for the opportunity to arise.
Most of my vintage keyboards were acquired at very low monetary cost, but I have spent a whole lot of time on the 'Net looking for them before I found them.
Back when I started, whenever I found a keyboard for sale, I used the old Geekhack Wiki a lot to find out what it was.
When that went down (before the existing Geekhack Wiki), I contributed to the Deskthority Wiki, and the two Wikis are now better and more useful than the old GH Wiki was.

I just found a 'Win 95 IBM Keyboard' on eBay for $30...does anyone know anything about that keyboard? I would post a link but I don't want anyone to buy it before I can

You need images, to compare to other keyboards. Or go by the model numbers or FCC IDs on keyboard's label.
Keyword spamming is rampant on eBay, and eBay does not want to do anything about that. "IBM" usually means only "IBM-compatible". "Clicky" is often misused because unlike us, eBay considers "clicky" to be a "subjective term" (their words in a reply from when someone here complained to them) .... 
Most vintage keyboards with Windows keys (for Win95 and later) are not mechanical, but there are some exceptions. The Dell AT101W for instance.

I've been wanting to collect something for a while, keyboards fascinate me, I want to collect them to impress and fulfill my own needs
It would be great to look back and see how much money I've wasted spent on this great hobby!

If you are in Australia, your best option might be getting one from taobao. M's aren't too common on ebay australia and shipping one from the US will be difficult to stay under budget.

What's taobao? Is it a member here or a website?

[Gunni]

Okay now I'm wanting to "spice up" my current keyboard. Do specific keycaps fit only specific keyboards, or are they universal? I want to get some keycaps for the board in my signature, nothing too colourful, just a nice colour scheme or something. Preferably in Australia. I've also seen people with the "CC" skull style keys as their esc key, where can I get those?

Thanks