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Keyboard identification

Pluto63Pluto63
edited May 2014 in Hardware
Anyone have info on this type of keyboard,

http://www.ebay.it/itm/SINCLAIR-ZX-SPECTRUM-48K-Very-rare-/140973201776?pt=Vintage_Apple_Macintosh&hash=item20d2a85970&_uhb=1#ht_2589wt_922

I'm almost sure it's a third party keyboard and not an original implementation, but never saw it advertised any ware.

Cheers
Post edited by Pluto63 on

Comments

  • bversteebverstee
    edited May 2013
    Haha, I was about to ask the same question.

    It's the first time I've ever seen this keyboard upgrade.
    Here are the pics:

    48k_special_keyboard_hard_plastic.jpg

    immagine092w.jpg

    immagine085t.jpg


    And how about this upgraded QL; it has a special keyboard too:

    http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Sinclair-QL-computer-COLLECTERS-ITEM-/121108963125?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item1c32a81f35

    I found this info on RWAP's site:

    http://www.rwapadventures.com/ql_wiki/index.php?title=Keyboards

    schoen_keyboard_ql.jpg

    Two rare keyboard in one week!
  • guesserguesser
    edited May 2013
    The QL one looks a lot like bbc micro/master or acorn electron keys in terms of the shape and font, but it isn't just a set of acorn keycaps because the key mapping is different on the QL (US style 2 key for example)
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • RorschakRorschak
    edited May 2013
    This keyboard has popped up a couple of times before (including my own plea for help)...

    My thread
    Another thread

    I haven't been able to find out who made this keyboard unfortunately.
  • bversteebverstee
    edited May 2013
    Rorschak wrote: »
    This keyboard has popped up a couple of times before (including my own plea for help)...

    My thread
    Another thread

    I haven't been able to find out who made this keyboard unfortunately.

    What a shame it's unknown where the keyboard comes from.
    It looks so Sinclair-original and high quality.
    Unbelievable we don't know who made it.. Great you looked into it before.
  • Battle BunnyBattle Bunny
    edited May 2013
    Possible scenario ...
    "Hey, Uncle Clive, we knocked up this TS-2000 prototype Spectrum using our classic design, but with a go-faster grille along the top and hard black keys for Timex to sell in the USA. Now they've said they're gonna go with their own design and call it a TS-2068 or summat. Whaddaya think we should do with these other ones?"
    "Well, the cases don't match the UK model but we can bung the keyboards into our own cases and sell them over here. Nobody'll notice and we might make a few bob into the bargain." :)
  • DunnyDunny
    edited May 2013
    I *so* want an empty one of those for my project. Shame they're rare :(

    D.
  • SaltorSaltor
    edited May 2013
    That keyboard was made by SPEM di Guido Masoero, Torino, Italy.
    Cultural association in south Italy
    www.apuliaretrocomputing.it
    Personal site
    www.sinclairitaly.wordpress.com
  • RorschakRorschak
    edited May 2013
    Interesting... Can you give us more details? When was it produced? How much did it cost? Any other history?
  • SaltorSaltor
    edited May 2013
    Spem was a manufacturer of accessories for the ZX Spectrum but especially for the Sinclair QL. At my mother's house i have an original catalog of its products because at that time i used to buy by correspondence microdrive cartridges (which went on to sell almost to the mid-90s).
    Never heard of that keyboard until now.
    Cultural association in south Italy
    www.apuliaretrocomputing.it
    Personal site
    www.sinclairitaly.wordpress.com
  • schombischombi
    edited May 2014
    I also got hold of such a "Black beauty". It came from Portugal.
    638930e7d7-Black.jpg

    I found it interesting that from the lower part and mounting it?s quite similar to the ISS Super Keyboard
    6b9a5a162e-non_rubber_48k.jpg

    On both the membrane can be replaced within 1-2 minutes.
    My retro collection
    schombi.de/my-retro-collection.html"
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