GMMK TKL Barebones Custom Keyboard

First off, it's a floating key design. This means there is no bezel around the switches. That look was popular with gaming keyboards a few years ago. Custom keyboard enthusiasts generally frown upon it now. That out of the way, at 55 dollars this board is a good buy. It feels solid. The weight is from 3 cheap metal blocks stuck in the case, not from thick, high-density structural materials like some high-end boards But the weights don't move around, and are only visible with the case open. My board is modified. I replaced the included foam with thicker neoprene foam. I left the stabilizers stock, as they seemed to be adequately lubed. If you're doing your first build, they might not bother you. They're better than those on cheap, standard/gaming keyboards. But if you're looking for good sound, you might want to consider modifying or replacing the stabilizers. With Kailh Pro Purple switches, the look, sound, and feel of this board is something I'm proud of. I've gotten compliments on it several times. I you're looking to build your first budget mechanical keyboard and don't want to go with a more enthusiast entry level board, I say go for it. This is a great platform to start with. If I couldn't build another board and had to use this one indefinitely, I think I'd be quite happy with it. But building custom keyboards is addictive. I've already ordered some higher-end entry-level boards to explore the hobby further. I'm going for more thock next time.

This is my first jump into custom mech keyboards and all my criticisms are nit picky garbage that doesn’t at all change the fact that I highly recommend this board. First note: the included keycap pry tool is a bit finicky to get out of the chassis and the experience of trying to pry it out makes me nervous I might scratch or damage the case. Second note: documentation doesn’t say anything about the win lock key’s existence and there aren’t labels for the two LED’s that sit above the arrow keys (caps lock and win lock respectively). Only other criticism: I sometimes wish the feet on the bottom of the board propped it up a bit higher. Now for the good stuff: the case feels well built, sounds nice, the stabs are a huge upgrade over the stock crap I was using before, the RGB looks great and is very flexible, the software is highly customizable and has great macro support, absolutely zero noticeable input delay or rollover issues, and even the included cable is pretty sweet. Honestly really enjoy using this board, I don’t see myself upgrading past it any time soon. Again, all my criticisms are basically non-issues in day to day use, and this is overall a 5 star product. These minor criticisms are really more there for the manufacturers’ benefit than users because all of these issues are pretty easy fixes if they were to make another edition of the board and this is just my two cents. To someone looking at getting into custom mech keyboards, this is one of the best options out there and I stress again that after messing with this board for a while I absolutely do not see myself needing to upgrade any time soon.

To say this is the best barebones keyboard for the price out there would be an understatement. Arrived with two keycaps, switch puller and keycap removal puller. Along with a 4-6 feet cable, not sure exactly. The cable is braided very nice, long, and durable. Now let’s talk about the actual keyboard itself. It has a awesome durable frame, good elevation clips to put it on a angle, and it’s super beautiful. No big logos anywhere, and has a silver outlining. The stabilizers are awesome, insane. They all come Pre-Lubed which is outstanding for this price, and they are nice stabilizers in general. Although the left shift stabilizer popped, which basically it’s like the sound of it stock. It doesn’t effect it working wise. It will though change the sound of it so it sounds like a regular old stabilizer. That’s OK, as long as you have a good switch to pair it with. I used Gateron Yellows lubed, and they sound just immaculate. They were super easy to pop in, but one of them if you misplace the switch, the one or two pins bend which isn’t good. You can try bending them back, but it could be hard depending on how bent it got. I do think the RGB could use a tiny, tiny bit of help. Don’t get me wrong, the software is awesome. But not that. When you turn it on with no switches, it’s super bright, not with switches. I used Gateron Yellows lubed and Gateron switches have the standard opening for the RGB, but it still doesn’t shine through with colored HK gaming Gateron Lubed Yellows. I highly recommend getting the GMMK switch test pack along with this, so you can hear them in the board itself and choosing which one you like, you can’t find Gateron yellows in the Test Pack, but you can find switches like, Kailh Coppers, Kailh Box Brown, Kailh White Box, Kailh Red box, Gateron Blue, Gateron Green, and a few more. The pack also comes with O-rings as well. I honestly believe the Drop Barebones Keyboards are good, but not for the hefty price, (Around 170-200$) so I really think, this is a great option for people that wanna build but don’t wanna solder and program. Thank you for your time.

First, let me start off with the fact that I got this on the Black Friday deal for $19.99. So that in itself is just a great deal for a DIY keyboard. I was very surprised that this kit actually came with a thin (and I mean thin) layer of foam in the bottom of the board. It also had another thicker type insert that I personally have never experienced in a kit. It is a heavier/rubbery type of padding with all of the holes for the mounting stems cut out. There are 2 metal plates added for weight that can be removed at your discretion. This board is quite customizable for what it is. It's a very slim body in a floating keycap style. I will say that putting in the switches on this board was the most difficult that I have ever come across so far. It did come with a nice, braided cable that is USB C also. All in all, I would highly recommend this board kit to anyone who is looking to get into building their first keyboard, even at the current price.

I bought this product with the goal in mind to build my first keyboard, I already had my switches (Kailh Box Jade) and keycaps (HyperX Pudding), and I just now needed something to build on. I chose this as it comes from a company from whom I have heard before and have seen many positive reviews, and now I see why. While not super heavy on its own, the case and the plate are very rigid and sturdy and show quality construction, and once the switches and caps are on, it feels very solid. All the stabilizers on the board had no rattle at all, which was something that I have never had on a keyboard before, but feels amazing to type on. All in all this product was definitely worth the money, if I had one negative thing to say about it, it is not even hardware related. My only problem is that the software that controls the RGB and macros is not very in-depth and can be described as very rudimentary with not a whole lot of customizability. Aside from that though, this board has earned all the highest marks that I could give.

Love these keyboards for the price they can’t be beat I own multiple. Perfect for someone looking to get into building keyboards or just wants the ability to customize

It seems that the offsets underneath the top plate, in the middle of the keyboard, are a little bit lower than the edges of the keyboard housing. Thus, when the screws were tightened down during manufacture, it pulled the middle of the top plate down, and warped the top plate. This means that about 5-10 of the switches will not fully seat. I've included photos showing a gap between the rim of the switch and the top plate, circled in red. The other side of the switch, circled in green, is already fully pressed against the top plate of the keyboard, so the switch as a whole cannot go any lower. This is a shame, because otherwise the keyboard is nice.

This keyboard is a very good value for the money and the features you get from it. From the hot swappable switches and custom key caps available, it ticked off all the boxes I required for a keyboard. Switches are quick and responsive without too much extra noise from them compared to some others I've used. Body of the keyboard is high quality with the aluminum top used. I also like the removable USB-C cable that if something was to happen to it, could easily be replaced. My only complaint is the shipping process, I ordered one time and received the Silver/White keyboard when I had ordered the black and returned and re-ordered when I was told a replacement order could not be done. I then again for a second time received another Silver/White keyboard instead of black, and when a replacement was shipped for a third time, it was another Silver/White. I got tired of ordering and just settled for the silver/white as the black was in/out of stock at the time.

Great barebone keyboard (Combined with kailh box pink) Feel solid the only down side i found (Can easily be fixed at home) is the stabilizers they rattle a bit but it can be easily fixed with a little bit of masking tape on the clipping side other than that really great keyboard.

Given the price and availability it's one of the best barebone you can buy. The keyboard is light, but well built and no flex whatsoever. Highly recommended for people who like me wanted to try exotic switches without the hassle of buying expensive kits and messing with soldering. The backlight control is basic but functional, and it does not require any additional software. The keyboard supports only 3 pin switches, so if you plan to use 5 pins switches you need to remove the 2 extra plastic prongs (very easy operation) before placing them.

What can I say? It's a hunk of PBC, Metal & Plastic. It's fine! A little plasticky but y'know. It's great for a first keyboard build. I'm happy that it came with pre lubed stabs, as most people don't have the time nor money to lube them, but... The lubing really does vary from stabilizer to stabilizer. I was unhappy with lubing and cleaned it off, then bought new stabs and used kyrtox 205g0.

Muy contento con el teclado. Al principio comprar las teclas en inglés me daba un poco de reparo por el tema de acentos y eñes. Así que programar se ha vuelto una tarea más agradecida para dedos y muñecas. La verdad que es sencillo y cómodo añadir acentos y eñes (Al menos en linux), así que ahora me arrepiento de no haberlo comprado años antes. Lo utilizo con switches cherry brown y la verdad que estoy super contento con el teclado. Lo volvería a comprar.

Impeccable !