jme3
Sr Member
It also slightly demonstrated one of the perils of having production 6,000 miles away from home. Oh, that love affair with cheap labor...:love
Official Save Masterreplicas Star Wars line petition
- Thread starter Joclad Danva
- Start date
It also slightly demonstrated one of the perils of having production 6,000 miles away from home. Oh, that love affair with cheap labor...:love
OldKen
Master Member
All good points, and Id say thats why they dont want to pay out the nose to try to produce something that is "not worth it" to the buyer, and has to be rediculously high priced just to pay LFL and still make a proffit.
ya think? :unsure
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
Unfortunatly its all true! Without having them made in China, they would cost more than double that price.:unsure
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
Danny great website.
I think MR. "lost thier touch" when they came out with SOoo many renditions of the same saber. I also believe they didnt stay IN touch with thier customers as far as what the customer REALLy wanted. It looks pretty in a display case, but it still pales against the REAl thing. George Lucas did the same thing when he released Star Wars to video. How many platfroms did he release it on? How many times on DVD alone/ MR did the same thing. In some ways I admire that, maximizing a dollar for the same product. But after while, its time to move along, and make a NEW product, to do the same thing.
I think MR. "lost thier touch" when they came out with SOoo many renditions of the same saber. I also believe they didnt stay IN touch with thier customers as far as what the customer REALLy wanted. It looks pretty in a display case, but it still pales against the REAl thing. George Lucas did the same thing when he released Star Wars to video. How many platfroms did he release it on? How many times on DVD alone/ MR did the same thing. In some ways I admire that, maximizing a dollar for the same product. But after while, its time to move along, and make a NEW product, to do the same thing.
Chrpica
Active Member
Hit the nail on the head, didnt even think of that.
Qui-Gonzalez
Master Member
I don't mean to quibble or stir the sh.. pot, but your stuff looks a lot like Parks' items. Your graflex pics are taken right from his site, as far as I can tell. Are you working with Parks or what?
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
KnightAsylum
Sr Member
Everything was better in the ol' days, isn't that a fact. Come on, I spent years hunting down the parts of my obi saber back when you had to hunt. Spoiled kids these days buying finished replicas right out of the box. I know it may seem like I am just jelous that I didn't have all the same options "back in the day" but that is true of every generation and it never stoped them from grumbling. If only we could go back to the old days, less is more. When too many folks (especially you young whipper-snappers) get to have something, or they get it to easy, it just isn't worth a darn....
....sorry I drifted off topic.
Let me get back to the thread and say that it's too bad MR will not be making more stuff, I liked much of there line. I am sure some other company will pick it up. Hopefully someone that pleases both the general public as well as the more "hardcore" fans. Someone that sticks to deadlines and has great customer service. All things I look for in anygreat company - and hopfully one that mass produces everything Star Wars so that not only the 40 year-old collector can have a Episode 3 clone trooper helmet, or a realistic looking lightsaber, but so can a 12 year old kid.
....sorry I drifted off topic.
Let me get back to the thread and say that it's too bad MR will not be making more stuff, I liked much of there line. I am sure some other company will pick it up. Hopefully someone that pleases both the general public as well as the more "hardcore" fans. Someone that sticks to deadlines and has great customer service. All things I look for in anygreat company - and hopfully one that mass produces everything Star Wars so that not only the 40 year-old collector can have a Episode 3 clone trooper helmet, or a realistic looking lightsaber, but so can a 12 year old kid.
Chrpica
Active Member
Yeah, I get a lot of my stuff from him at wholesale, although frankly im fed up with him. Late on shipments and all that- hence lack of pictures. Placeholders for now.
Edit:
Plus, look at those shots. I WISH my camera looked that good.
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Tan Djarka
Master Member
"What 'exclusionary attitude'? DId I say 'n00bs SUXXors! Go home n00biez!!' No, I friggin' didn't."
Not in so many words... But as someone else pointed out, the reference to number of posts speaks to a certain attitude. But I don't want to argue, or make any enemies (unnecessarily).
I do appreciate the "oldtimers" of the hobby, as many of you laid the groundwork for what the replica companies have done (even if it's not to everyone's liking). And I agree, some of the props nowadays are too easily aquired. But that's not to say a MR replica should be any less cherished a possession than tracking down a vintage Graflex. Sometimes the ends can justify the means.
That's why I'm in favor of a new licensee that will put out "less than perfect" affordably priced replicas. Wouldn't it bring back some of that fun in the hobby if this board was littered with accuratising threads for the latest bargain priced saber replica? Heck, I'd love to see sabers released as 1:1 styrene model kits. That'd certainly make for a bit of variety of product, wouldn't it?
(WARNING: what follows is NOT an actual quote!) "When I was your age, if I wanted a prop replica, I had to build it myself. Uphill. In the snow!"
Granted, thing are easier than ever for the collector, but some of us, for lack of funds and/or sheer stubbornness, still do things the hard way. And the truth is, I'm one of 'em (stubborn, that is).
What was the question again?
Not in so many words... But as someone else pointed out, the reference to number of posts speaks to a certain attitude. But I don't want to argue, or make any enemies (unnecessarily).
I do appreciate the "oldtimers" of the hobby, as many of you laid the groundwork for what the replica companies have done (even if it's not to everyone's liking). And I agree, some of the props nowadays are too easily aquired. But that's not to say a MR replica should be any less cherished a possession than tracking down a vintage Graflex. Sometimes the ends can justify the means.
That's why I'm in favor of a new licensee that will put out "less than perfect" affordably priced replicas. Wouldn't it bring back some of that fun in the hobby if this board was littered with accuratising threads for the latest bargain priced saber replica? Heck, I'd love to see sabers released as 1:1 styrene model kits. That'd certainly make for a bit of variety of product, wouldn't it?
(WARNING: what follows is NOT an actual quote!) "When I was your age, if I wanted a prop replica, I had to build it myself. Uphill. In the snow!"
Granted, thing are easier than ever for the collector, but some of us, for lack of funds and/or sheer stubbornness, still do things the hard way. And the truth is, I'm one of 'em (stubborn, that is).
What was the question again?
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Honestly, I liked both the licensed version and my own home built version.
It was darn fun to find a good graflex and then convert it by my own hand, knowing it is as close to the actual piece as it gets. I have converted quite a few for many members here and really enjoy building them up.
By the same token, I like the licensed version withthe official license and display case. MR did a pretty fantastic job with them for replicas and I realize there might be legal issues yet between the Graflex copyright, as well I myself like an idealized prop of what it would look like as a science fiction piece. Too many mainstream collectors would not put up with the imperfections the screen pieces had, thinking that they should reall;y look in hand as they do on the screen. Film covers it up but the public woudl not be aware fo that issue as we are here. Plus, the licensed version will carry on a certain value over the years as a licensed piece, which is a nice bonus to have. Finally, it makes it possible for companies like MR to have the chance to build upon mainstream collections so that we see many more like collectables come to the market.
It was darn fun to find a good graflex and then convert it by my own hand, knowing it is as close to the actual piece as it gets. I have converted quite a few for many members here and really enjoy building them up.
By the same token, I like the licensed version withthe official license and display case. MR did a pretty fantastic job with them for replicas and I realize there might be legal issues yet between the Graflex copyright, as well I myself like an idealized prop of what it would look like as a science fiction piece. Too many mainstream collectors would not put up with the imperfections the screen pieces had, thinking that they should reall;y look in hand as they do on the screen. Film covers it up but the public woudl not be aware fo that issue as we are here. Plus, the licensed version will carry on a certain value over the years as a licensed piece, which is a nice bonus to have. Finally, it makes it possible for companies like MR to have the chance to build upon mainstream collections so that we see many more like collectables come to the market.
You're arguing about your preference as either a replica of the movie prop or a replica of the actual weapon. I think for the most part MR was trying to build a replica of the actual weapon. As in that if you walked into the SW universe and picked up an E11 it would say Blastech not Sterling.
Granted I would much rather find the part and build my own, but apart from certain items (say Sterlings, various flashguns, Charter Arms rifle, etc.) you'd be very hard pressed to make all the props you want. That's where MR did excel. Most of us don't have access to machined parts unless someone on here goes and has a run of parts made.
Could another company do better, probably, but I don't think MR did a bad job besides having delays on several releases.
Granted I would much rather find the part and build my own, but apart from certain items (say Sterlings, various flashguns, Charter Arms rifle, etc.) you'd be very hard pressed to make all the props you want. That's where MR did excel. Most of us don't have access to machined parts unless someone on here goes and has a run of parts made.
Could another company do better, probably, but I don't think MR did a bad job besides having delays on several releases.
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
We dont know this for sure. But I can understand and appreciate where you are going with this.
nightrider
Sr Member
I do think it was more fun some years ago before everything was so easy to obtain. I spent months pestering an antique camera dealer to look for a graflex for me until finally he allowed me into his storage warehouse to rummage around and look for one myself. I can't tell you how excited I was when after an hour of digging my wife comes over to me with a perfectly mint graflex in her hand which I then quickly purchased for a mere $30. They were selling for around $350 on eBay at that time if you could get one and were usually not in as good of condition either. I don't think I've been more excited about getting anything, it was so fun then before there was a mountain of stuff out there. Gotta thank MR for the falcon though, even with it's flaws it's still a much better piece than most could've ever dreamed they'd own.
Chris
Chris
I'm not an "old timer" in this hobby by any means, but I got in right before MR and my first sabers were a horribly crappy resin Luke ANH kit and then a Larbel ESB (which cost a small fortune for me at the time).
I hunted for a real Graflex. I contacted countless vintage camera dealers, getting one of three responses:
"Sorry, we don't have any right now."
"We do not sell any damn STAR WARS LIGHTSABERS!!"
"I have one in fair condition, the price is $450 plus shipping."
Honestly, I don't miss that "hunt" one bit. (For most of us on the European side of the pond, digging through a warehouse of vintage camera supplies wasn't an option.)
Some days I want to research and build my replicas and others I just want to go out and buy the darn thing so I can play with it. I respect and admire all the effort that goes into a hard-core project (knowing all too well what is involved) but there's ample room in this hobby for BOTH options.
I am disappointed to see MR leave Star Wars behind and really do hope whoever picks up the license has a genuine love for the hobby.
I hunted for a real Graflex. I contacted countless vintage camera dealers, getting one of three responses:
"Sorry, we don't have any right now."
"We do not sell any damn STAR WARS LIGHTSABERS!!"
"I have one in fair condition, the price is $450 plus shipping."
Honestly, I don't miss that "hunt" one bit. (For most of us on the European side of the pond, digging through a warehouse of vintage camera supplies wasn't an option.)
Some days I want to research and build my replicas and others I just want to go out and buy the darn thing so I can play with it. I respect and admire all the effort that goes into a hard-core project (knowing all too well what is involved) but there's ample room in this hobby for BOTH options.
I am disappointed to see MR leave Star Wars behind and really do hope whoever picks up the license has a genuine love for the hobby.
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:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
PodRacer X
Active Member
Re: Petition to LFL and Corgi to Reopen License Negotiations
I'd personally like to see what another company would do with the license. MR had a good run, but they've been primarily concentrating on things like minis, FX's, statues and props that were realized only digitally for a few years now. Not that there isn't a market for those things, but I personally love 1:1 prop replicas and I'd like to see what some new blood would do with the license.
I'd personally like to see what another company would do with the license. MR had a good run, but they've been primarily concentrating on things like minis, FX's, statues and props that were realized only digitally for a few years now. Not that there isn't a market for those things, but I personally love 1:1 prop replicas and I'd like to see what some new blood would do with the license.
cayman shen
Master Member
I've said it before and I'll say it again: MR gave us stuff we never could have had otherwise. Honestly, what hobbyist could give us a metal Dooku or Sidious? Never happen.
Yes, I prefer real Graflexes. But that's ONE example. Yes, the OB1 ANH was later found out to be inaccurate. But most of us don't get real parts for THAT saber! we buy fanmade parts. What's the difference? If the whole anti-MR push is based on finding a Graflex or not, I think that's silly. I still bought antiques while MR was around. It's not like they stopped me from hunting. There were still fan-made sabers quietly being produced. What did MR change exactly? The best I can figure is they drove down the price of a real Graflex--for which I was personally grateful!
Yes, I prefer real Graflexes. But that's ONE example. Yes, the OB1 ANH was later found out to be inaccurate. But most of us don't get real parts for THAT saber! we buy fanmade parts. What's the difference? If the whole anti-MR push is based on finding a Graflex or not, I think that's silly. I still bought antiques while MR was around. It's not like they stopped me from hunting. There were still fan-made sabers quietly being produced. What did MR change exactly? The best I can figure is they drove down the price of a real Graflex--for which I was personally grateful!
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
It IS silly, I wont argue with you there. But in your next sentence, it says it all. Not only did it drive down th cost of a Graflex, but it made it harder to sell (for example) a Larbel MPP or Graflex, or a Parks. Before MR a good replica could fetch the same amount if not more than a real one. Either way your gonna take a big hit on the sale. Its good to get them cheap, but its bad when your the guy selling it. But from what I understand too, in some cases its getting harder to sell some MR sabers too. I just stand firm on the idea that the market is oversaturated, and thats why its hard to sell either one- replica or MR.:unsure
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