9th/10th Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver

Hi all-

I was just wondering if there was anybody out there who had the facilities and the drive to produce a new series sonic (9th/10th Doctors) in a group run for the RPF- kinda like Russ does with his OS sonics. I have emailed Russ a couple of times regarding a quote for a new series sonic- but have yet to recieve a reply (perhaps- If i remember rightly, he was involved in the props fabrication, and has said he would not produce a replica for that reason?)

I know I'm not the only one out there who wants a new series sonic- but doesn't want to pay MFX or CT's prices- and the QMx seems to be quite far away, or according to CT, will never happen full stop, so I wondered if a group run by someone would be possible?

-L

themeinside said:

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Hi all-

I was just wondering if there was anybody out there who had the facilities and the drive to produce a new series sonic (9th/10th Doctors) in a group run for the RPF- kinda like Russ does with his OS sonics. I have emailed Russ a couple of times regarding a quote for a new series sonic- but have yet to recieve a reply (perhaps- If i remember rightly, he was involved in the props fabrication, and has said he would not produce a replica for that reason?)

I know I'm not the only one out there who wants a new series sonic- but doesn't want to pay MFX or CT's prices- and the QMx seems to be quite far away, or according to CT, will never happen full stop, so I wondered if a group run by someone would be possible?

-L

Maybe the reason is because it is an infringement of the official licence? Even Russ's selling of the classic sonic is not exactly legit.

And it's also a subject that very few people want to touch with a ten foot pole.

Well, since there's probably an infinitesimally small market for the Classic Sonic and no one making them, I think Russ is doing the BBC a favor quite frankly keeping something about the classic series alive. If I were the Beeb I'd congratulate him and strike a deal to help him sell more, not be pissed at him in any way. I wish I had the money to buy one.

I'm hoping the QMX 9/10th is under $100 but I'm not holding my breath. I can't justify spending much more than that much cash unless it does something else like actually put up shelves for me. Oh but I want one...

Coming to this site is often like opening that Sears Wishbook catalog from my youth. It stimulates my "I WANT" gland mightily...

elvisgump said:

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Well, since there's probably an infinitesimally small market for the Classic Sonic and no one making them, I think Russ is doing the BBC a favor quite frankly keeping something about the classic series alive.

A small enough market for 1612/Iconic Replicas to be granted a licence for them and small enough for CO to release two versions of the classic sonic as a toy. I think you underestimate the enduring popularity of the Classic series.

I am totally down to get a Tennent SS, not too keen on the CT price range however I know they are planning on doing a SS that has a universal remote function in it which would really add a substantial 'playability' factor to it, in which case it may be more worth my money to get one.
Since I never dealt with QMx I can't speak of their ability to successfully release a great replica at a decent price so I have some time to wait and see what they do first.
Risu, did'nt I see you do a thread about organizing a run of the Tennent SS??

I don't think so. I had plans with a friend to make one a long time ago, way before all the s*** hit the fan, but I don't think I ever intended to do a run. It might have been a passing thought.

I'm hoping the QMX 9/10th is under $100 but I'm not holding my breath.

Even if it's slightly less accurate than the competition if there's a 9/10 sonic at the $100 price range I'd be ALL OVER IT. Can't quite justify the prices currently out there although the product certainly is top notch.

I've got one of Russ's classic sonics and it's awesome. I'll have to get a Pertwee one soon.

Anakin Starkiller said:

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Is there interest in this? I have been thinking about doing a small run of 9/10 sonics. Maybe the Aztec versions, since no one has replicated these.

Dan

I'm interested. I would be interested in just unfinished milled bits like the head, dome, acrylic cylinder, body and end bits to try to do my own electronics and mod it out for a working pen in the end similar to the way the CO toy has one. Having that in metal would make me less paranoid about breaking a plastic one.

I've got a third variation I'm working on out of copper tubing, not trying to replicate the 9/10 but something that looks more like it than the 11th. My workbench looks more like some abstract sculpture coming together than a beautifully milled thing I see other people make sady. Oh well, it will be my Mad Doctor sonic if I ever finish it...

BTW, anyone know when that die-cast 11th is coming out again?

LeAngeSolitaire said:

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A small enough market for 1612/Iconic Replicas to be granted a licence for them and small enough for CO to release two versions of the classic sonic as a toy. I think you underestimate the enduring popularity of the Classic series.

Maybe. I'm not in marketing. I'd rather my money go to fellow fan like Russ than a big, faceless company. That is I wasn't between jobs and had the money.

Anakin Starkiller said:

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Is there interest in this? I have been thinking about doing a small run of 9/10 sonics. Maybe the Aztec versions, since no one has replicated these.

Dan

Mate- that sounds good! You mean, in resin like the actual Aztec version? What price range are you talking, and with sound?

I've been almost assured by CT that the QMx isn't actually going to reach the market- and he hasn't been very wrong before about matters of the sonic... but if it was under $100 (whats that, like £60?) (that means i'd be in love btw :P) I just can't in any shape or form justify spending £200 on what is essentially little more then a toy. And the universal remote from CT is going to be around the £250/£275 mark (thats $396 to $436 mark :S)

-L

themeinside said:

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Mate- that sounds good! You mean, in resin like the actual Aztec version? What price range are you talking, and with sound?

I've been almost assured by CT that the QMx isn't actually going to reach the market- and he hasn't been very wrong before about matters of the sonic... but if it was under $100 (whats that, like £60?) (that means i'd be in love btw :P) I just can't in any shape or form justify spending £200 on what is essentially little more then a toy. And the universal remote from CT is going to be around the £250/£275 mark (thats $396 to $436 mark :S)

-L

Oh please. Just go over to CT's YouTube page and see what a rude git he is. I seriously suspect he's spent so much he'll eventually go **** up with boxes of unsold Sonics because they are just to expensive for the average fan to buy.

The real problem with these prop toys is that we are a plastic-EVERYTHING manufacturing society all over the globe now and there's no real way to tool out something like these things even in aluminum I would guess in a cost-effective way. Make 'em plastic because the real target audience for the C.O. stuff is kids chasing each other around going BZZZ with the things and it'll be broken of forgotten or replaced by the next must have get like the 11th.

Which makes me wonder how long Matt will be brandishing the current model before the marketing boys come down to Mr Moffet's office and say "Hate to be a bother, but revenue is down, economy and all, would you mind terribly if Doctor has a new model soonest? M'kay, thanks, bye!"

elvisgump said:

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Which makes me wonder how long Matt will be brandishing the current model before the marketing boys come down to Mr Moffet's office and say "Hate to be a bother, but revenue is down, economy and all, would you mind terribly if Doctor has a new model soonest? M'kay, thanks, bye!"

I'm looking forward to when that happens. The sonic should be a much smaller tool, I don't like the lightsaber size of the current one.

There is no way you are going to see an accurate, metal Sonic with sound for under $100.

E-Wan said:

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There is no way you are going to see an accurate, metal Sonic with sound for under $100.

Agreed, and I can see CTs going up before too long. I'm pretty sure that the QMx version won't see the light of day. They are renouned for dropping products after announcing them.

CT makes them to order, so I doubt he'll lose any sleep if this time next year QMx actually do announce a release date for their sonic, cheap or otherwise, he'll have supplied the bulk of collectors that are interested in the sonic by then easily. I'm an average fan, and I can afford one. The price for the product is quite low compared to other props with similar functions on the market. MFXs version was more without the sound.

E-Wan said:

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There is no way you are going to see an accurate, metal Sonic with sound for under $100.

CT makes them to order, so I doubt he'll lose any sleep if this time next year QMx actually do announce a release date for their sonic, cheap or otherwise, he'll have supplied the bulk of collectors that are interested in the sonic by then easily.

Even if it didn't have sound and was slightly less accurate it would still do REALLY well... There are many people here, myself included, who would jump at an affordable alternative to MFX & CT. It's a different market entirely.

Asp9mm said:

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The price for the product is quite low compared to other props with similar functions on the market. MFXs version was more without the sound.

Exactly - these sonics aren't cheap or easy to make. Even Russ's recent classic sonic run was $165, and that's less complex to machine than the new series sonic. $200 - $300 is a fair price for these.

For $100, you'd be looking at static prop in resin.

Well, I got an idea....
how about an accurizing kit for the toy sonic?
I recently had a chance to try out the 10th toy sonic that a fellow actor friend of mine has and I was a quite pleased with the sound fx and function.
I think the major 'problems' with the toy sonic is the middle body which needs to be shorter and the slider switch.
Some of the work can be done by a decent modeler, but maybe a kit with new parts to switch out?? I don't mind a plastic sonic so long as the sound is good and it looks pretty close to the real thing.
Not sure what else to do since the CT is so very expensive and I'm not too keen on the low volume sound, not to mention the terrible way he speaks to potential buyers.

E-Wan said:

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Exactly - these sonics aren't cheap or easy to make. Even Russ's recent classic sonic run was $165, and that's less complex to machine than the new series sonic. $200 - $300 is a fair price for these.

For $100, you'd be looking at static prop in resin.

His classic sonics without sound were $84. I'm not arguing though that the price isn't justified for what's out there. I'm merely saying that if someone came out with a decent one at the $100 range they would sell loads of them.

$100 for a static resin sonic would be ridiculous though.

E-Wan said:

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There is no way you are going to see an accurate, metal Sonic with sound for under $100.

You may be right, but I wouldn't buy one of CT's. I don't know much about him, but I've seen the way he talks to people, me included and I simply wouldn't put a dime in his pocket. I'm telling you, look at the comments on his YouTube pages and you'll see he hates fans. He's totally missed the whole ethos of Doctor Who to begin with.

Not that I think companies that are also making them are some sort of self-less lot for anything more than your money mind you, but when a guy tells someone to cram their money up their hinder regions he's lost all hope of getting my business.

Orange_Blend said:

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I'm looking forward to when that happens. The sonic should be a much smaller tool, I don't like the lightsaber size of the current one.

Me neither once I had the C.O. version. It is a nice design, but too large. I never give up hope that we'll see more of the TARDIS interior or that we might see Matt tinkering together a whole new Sonic at some point in a little workshop the Doctor has somewhere in there in the TARDIS.

I really want to see him remaking a 9/10th into River's sonic. Think of how funny it could be to see Matt chewing the scenery tossing about other 'sonics' that the Doctor might have picked up in some alien hardware store.

I did just notice this, an 11th Sonic Pen!
Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Ink Pen - UNDERGROUND TOYS - Doctor Who - Office at Entertainment Earth

Oh, yes, I'm buying this one...

elvisgump said:

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Me neither once I had the C.O. version. It is a nice design, but too large. I never give up hope that we'll see more of the TARDIS interior or that we might see Matt tinkering together a whole new Sonic at some point in a little workshop the Doctor has somewhere in there in the TARDIS.

I really want to see him remaking a 9/10th into River's sonic. Think of how funny it could be to see Matt chewing the scenery tossing about other 'sonics' that the Doctor might have picked up in some alien hardware store.

I did just notice this, an 11th Sonic Pen!
Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Ink Pen - UNDERGROUND TOYS - Doctor Who - Office at Entertainment Earth

Oh, yes, I'm buying this one...

This is what it actually looks like: