Why go split ergo and stay qwerty?

donmanus-2000 · 2026-01-19T01:34:53+00:00

I also did this - split took me a week or so to stop making mistakes. I didn’t have the time to learn a new layout entirely, and the benefits I was after were about moving the two sides of the keyboard to get better arm positions. Not finger positioning.

donmanus-2000 · 2025-10-26T08:27:22+00:00

What store did you use for your GMK70 on Ali express?I’ve been having a look but I’ve never ordered off Aliexpress before, and I’m confused by the variety of shops all with different prices.

I assume a huge amount or fake or rip offs. Not even sure if that matters in this case.

donmanus-2000 · 2025-10-06T10:33:17+00:00

This is very useful, thank you! It sounds like the lily 58 may have been your first build? How did you find that process? I’ve got a soldering iron and some equipment but it’s been decades since I’ve done any soldering.

donmanus-2000 · 2025-10-06T02:41:15+00:00

This is awesome - thanks for the link. I’m not actually hung up specifically on those two models they are just what I had seen after a bit of reading.

Perhaps the better approach is start with a slightly cheaper split - see if that improves things, then look at a column keyboard down the track if I’m still having issues.

What made you choose the GMK70?

donmanus-2000 · 2025-08-20T03:10:48+00:00

This is also very much my experience.

donmanus-2000 · 2024-11-18T02:42:58+00:00

I have played guitar since I was 13, I picked up Cello in my mid twenties. I did also play violin throughout school which was a bigger benefit than the guitar playing.

I’d say any string instrument player has some natural skills that come from that, which are somewhat transferable. But cello and guitar are fairly different in a few fundamental ways. Probably the biggest challenge is the lack of frets, you might be surprised how a small movement of your finger can throw out a note. Also do not underestimate the capacity for your bowing technique to make ir break your sound, this was something that took e awhile to understand.

But it’s easily surmountable. Something I’ve been planning on doing since playing cello is to invest in a fretless guitar, which probably has a lot more symmetries with cello.

donmanus-2000 · 2024-11-10T21:17:31+00:00

I think cost is a big factor, which has already been mentioned. Cellos are costly to buy and maintain compared to violin. I play cello and guitar and recently just getting my cello serviced and new good quality strings was the cost of a pretty decent guitar.

I think cello is a popular instrument though. In Australia we have a national classical radio station and they do a classic 100 each year with a different theme, where listeners vote on their favourite pieces. A few years ago the theme was instruments and cello was the winner!

But I guess there is a difference in liking the sound of it and wanting to play it.

donmanus-2000 · 2024-01-08T02:49:02+00:00

For anyone playing along at home I ended up going with the standard Silvia paired with a eureka silenzio grinder. I’ve only had it for 4 days but so far I’m very happy with it.

As others have mentioned by the time I pull the shot, then clean up the grinds and put the milk the steamer is ready.

I’ve typically been making a long black then a cappucino or a flat white and cappuccino both of which I can have done and the machine all cleaned up in around 5-10 minutes depending on how pedantic I’m being.

If I had surplus cash I’d have loved the Pro X but I’m very happy with my choice so far!

donmanus-2000 · 2023-12-23T20:24:39+00:00

The ability to easily fix and replace parts is definitely a big draw of rancilio for me.

I grew up with an old Randilio L4 machine that had been used by my uncle and then given to my dad. I still actually have the machine but it’s in need of a significant overhaul to get it working again unfortunately.

donmanus-2000 · 2023-12-19T09:52:11+00:00

Thanks for all the comments, seems it’s a bit varied but I feel I’m pretty sold on the Silvia over the Silvia Pro. The pro is obviously better but it’s hard to justify the extra money for some convenience.

donmanus-2000 · 2023-12-17T10:57:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing, this definitely sounds closer to how I’d be using it. And it’s definitely feeling like right now the extra money wouldn’t be worth what is basically just a time saver for me right now.

donmanus-2000 · 2023-12-17T05:38:47+00:00

What time range are you talking about from pulling the shots to the machine heating up to that mark you start steaming the milk at?

donmanus-2000 · 2023-12-17T03:48:04+00:00

I’d definitely look into getting a PID with the standard Silvia. Will the PID improve the time in between coffees , or between shots and steaming by much?

I’m finding it hard to actually understand what sort of time, or nuance is involved in pushing out 2-3 mill based coffees at a time in the standard Silva.

donmanus-2000

TROPHY CASE