Approaching Endgame? SKCM Brown/Blue Alps Hybrid 60%

[Hypersphere]

During the past few weeks, I have been typing almost exclusively on my custom Alps64 60%, and I am starting to think that I might be approaching endgame.

Specifications:

Alps64 PCB
HHKB Layout
Stainless Steel Plate, AEK Cut
Hybrid SKCM Brown / Blue Switches
IBM 5140 Dye-sublimated PBT Alphanumeric Keycaps
Matias Black Black Mods and Spacebar
SP Red Esc
TEX CNC Black Aluminum Case

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Alps64Hybrid1.JPG (38.73 KiB) Viewed 4688 times

See below for a brief video with an audio clip. The typing is:

098098098
poipoipoi
lkjlkjlkj
,n,mn,mn
Backspace (Backslash) x 3
Backslash (Backspace) x 3
Enter x3
Right Shift x 3
Right Control (Fn) x 3
Spacebar x 3

[cumwagondeluxe]

What do you mean by hybrid blue/brown alps? Brown alps spring + blue alps everything else?

Also, did you find that when you moved the blue alps from whatever keeb they came on to your custom that the sound became higher pitched/more metallic? I don't know why, but every typing video with I've watched with blue alps seems like they're quite a bit more bassy in the huge vintage boards compared to when somebody puts em in a 60% or whatever.

[Hypersphere]

The only components from the original brown Alps switches that were in the board is the bottom switch housings (along with the switch plates, and contact leaves). Everything else (tops, sliders, springs, and click leaves) is from blue Alps. Given that brown Alps have the long switch plates, the resultant switches are effectively older-generation blue Alps.

Yes, indeed, the sound of blue Alps in this (and probably most) 60% boards is rather high-pitched and lacking the timbre afforded by a large board with a large hollow case that acts like a soundboard of a musical instrument.

In particular, my 60% has a stainless steel plate and a shallow aluminum case -- together these elements tend to deaden sound leaving only the rather shrill voice of the switches without benefit of a resonating chamber. In fact, the sound initially put me off this board until I started to focus on the feel of the switches.

Apart from the switches, I have a general fondness for the 60% form factor and HHKB layout. So, although I appreciate the sound and feel of my full-size Alps boards (especially Leading Edge, Northgate, and Zenith), I prefer the size and symmetry of the smaller boards.

[vivalarevolución]

Endgame only happens when curiosity dies. Or your interests move elsewhere.

That keyboard is beautiful, though, wonderful choice of caps and case.

[Hypersphere]

Endgame only happens when curiosity dies. Or your interests move elsewhere.

That keyboard is beautiful, though, wonderful choice of caps and case.

Yep, I tend to agree. Note that I put a question mark in the title. At this stage, I am still pursuing the grail. I think that keyboard enthusiasts never tire of searching and experimenting, and so they never really arrive at endgame.

Thanks for the kind words!

BTW, I've had a technical glitch with the video. I will try to get it re-posted soon. -- Update: Seems to be working again.

[sneaux]

That looks great! I just put a set of Matias quiet linears on with some spherical typewriter caps and a fauxhammer case. It's good but I really wanted to put on some orange alps until I opened them up and saw that they were filthy....

[Hypersphere]

@sneaux: Post pics! Hope you find some clean Orange Alps for your project.

[PerniciousPony]

That looks great! I just put a set of Matias quiet linears on with some spherical typewriter caps and a fauxhammer case. It's good but I really wanted to put on some orange alps until I opened them up and saw that they were filthy....

I have some orange alps if you're interested. I bought three M0116's hoping for orange alps, and scored 3 for 3. In the past I've only found salmon alps in M0116's. I only need the switches from one board, so I've got quite a few extra now.

[Menuhin]

Endgame only happens when curiosity dies. Or your interests move elsewhere.

That keyboard is beautiful, though, wonderful choice of caps and case.

+1

[tkim]

Thanks for the write up Hypersphere, I did notice in some older threads that you mentioned you were in possession of some of the alps sprit springs, however I saw no mention of them in this "approaching endgame" build. Was there a particular reason you decided to stick with the stock blue alps springs?

[Hypersphere]

Thanks for the write up Hypersphere, I did notice in some older threads that you mentioned you were in possession of some of the alps sprit springs, however I saw no mention of them in this "approaching endgame" build. Was there a particular reason you decided to stick with the stock blue alps springs?

I completed the present mod before I received the Spirit springs. In addition, the springs from the blue Alps appeared to be in excellent condition, so I saw no compelling reason to wait for new springs. I am also not quite decided on which weight of spring to use for a given project. The choice would be easier with linear switches, but with tactile or tactile/clicky Alps, the tactile/click leaf contributes to the total resistance of the switch.

[czarek]

If you're bothered by high pitched sound, consider moving to taller plastic or wooden case. I know (especially plastic) it's not blingy and cosher, but who cares. It's all about feels and sound, right?

[Hypersphere]

If you're bothered by high pitched sound, consider moving to taller plastic or wooden case. I know (especially plastic) it's not blingy and cosher, but who cares. It's all about feels and sound, right?

Good advice. I should have learned from my previous experience with a V60MTS-C board that I put into a TEX aluminum case. It sounded so bad, I put it back into the stock plastic case. The V60 plastic case has a bit of room for a resonating chamber. However, I must admit that I am easily influenced by the upscale look of a CNC aluminum case, as well as the heft (on those relatively rare occasions when I pick up the keyboard).

[seebart]

Really impressive custom Hypersphere. That metal badge, wow! I never am able to decide if I want to sacrifice my NTC KB-6151 for something like this. Aside from the costs I probably should though.

[Hypersphere]

Thanks, Seebart! Please note that SKCM Blue Alps are not the only show in town. My own assessment is that SKCM Pine White Alps in excellent condition are underappreciated. In addition, in my fiddling around with various hybrids, I've found that some combinations seem as good to me as blue Alps. Unfortunately, my documentation of these experiments has been rather poor, and I will need to repeat them in order to advocate for particular combinations of components.

[seebart]

Thanks, Seebart! Please note that SKCM Blue Alps are not the only show in town. My own assessment is that SKCM Pine White Alps in excellent condition are underappreciated

I would very much agree with that. My Monterey K104 with SKCM whites is quite satisfying.

In addition, in my fiddling around with various hybrids, I've found that some combinations seem as good to me as blue Alps. Unfortunately, my documentation of these experiments has been rather poor, and I will need to repeat them in order to advocate for particular combinations of components.

Looking foreward to that! These days I prefer tactile SKCM orange switches to blue Alps. I'm not sure I could even explain why but the tactile feedback works better for me. The SKCM salmons in my M0118 are also really nice.