Fett Undressed

[Shai]

Actually I'd disagree with that.

Especially involving some of the members here... :emperor

 

[Agent0028]

I'll admit I'm too lazy to search through this whole thread, but I gather from the handful I've read that the stated reason the body was switched from polystone to ABS was because of how the armor would sit on the body. If so, has anyone from SSC said why this armor was different than that of Vader (other than more coverage), as that armor looks quite nice over polystone.

I think the major problem came in with how the armor is attached to the fabric of Fett's clothing.

 

[customizerwannabe]

So who here can really say, with authority, which is better: polystone or ABS? Because that would not be a matter of opinion (which seems to be the thorn in everyone's side) but would be fact.

That FACT doesn't exist. It will always be a matter of opinion. In the 1/6 military toy world, people despise polystone and beg for ABS. They don't want heavy. They want light and durable. Having been caught up in that debate for about a year, it's funny to see the same thing going on here but from the other side. I think those that don't like abs because it is lighter and they don't feel they are getting their money's worth pound for pound need therapy. Weight does not equate value. Polystone works fine for items that are not going to be handled, but it really is a cheap media for artwork. Certainly not a material to fight for keeping. If all SS statues were to be made from SOLID resin, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[RoboDad]

We all see your point, do you see ours? $325 is too much money for an ABS statue. To give yourself an idea, check out the PF Darth Maul Exclusive on Sideshow's website. $299, polystone, light up feature, 1000 ES and AWESOME!!! Now that's a PF!!!

Well, yes and no. I thought $325 was too high a price for Fett, regardless of the materials used. $275 would have been a much more reasonable price to me. That was one of the reasons I canceled. But I don't think the choice to make the body out of ABS instead of polystone should make any difference.

If the materials used on the visible portion of the figure measure up, then that is what matters to me. In the case of Fett, I think the jury is still out on that issue. Plastic belt pouches would have been an issue for me (assuming that leather could have been done), as would the droopy rangefinder and the overall helmet inaccuracies.

 

[The Josh]

The reason the Darth Maul piece is cheaper and all poly is due to the fact it is a MUCH simpler piece to do. Other than the wiring to make the saber light up there isn't as much difficulty on him as there would be on Fett. Look at Obi-Wan if you want to see something that compares as far as simplicity goes. Boba was one of the more complex PF they've tried outside of Vader and Greivous. So to try and compare this piece to Maul just doesn't work IMO.

 

[customizerwannabe]

I would have to agree there. The BF is much more complex to mold and to assemble.

 

[tinister]

I think the key word is "solid". I think I would go for a PF that was solid ABS as the base figure. I think people didn't like that it was hollow - which doesn't really give it that statue heft to it.

 

[LOTRFan]

That FACT doesn't exist. It will always be a matter of opinion. In the 1/6 military toy world, people despise polystone and beg for ABS. They don't want heavy. They want light and durable. Having been caught up in that debate for about a year, it's funny to see the same thing going on here but from the other side. I think those that don't like abs because it is lighter and they don't feel they are getting their money's worth pound for pound need therapy. Weight does not equate value. Polystone works fine for items that are not going to be handled, but it really is a cheap media for artwork. Certainly not a material to fight for keeping. If all SS statues were to be made from SOLID resin, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I want to respond to this, not because I desire to make things personal; in fact I try never to do that. It is just that Ed's comments are rather telling in this debate/discussion.

I do not have Fett in-hand yet, but I don't see how this pigeon holes me from a reasonable discussion - and here's why:

1) Most of my feelings towards this statue are presuppositional in nature, and regardless of how I feel once the statue arrives - I have certain stumbling blocks that I find troubling. Regardless of when Fett arrives, my attitude towards the production of the figure is not likely to change. Even if (and I expect it to) Fett looks amazing on display, this collector now knows "what lies beneath;" and I don't like it much.

2) I do not collect 1/6 action figures/dolls, whatever you want to call them. It seems to me that the collectors who are either indifferent towards the chocie of material or are in favor of it generally do. They are more accustomed to this.

3) My collecting began with the LOTR SSW polystone line, I favor polystone and see it as a quality way of representing characters. I find it more distinguished (as in fine art) and less toy-like.

4) When I saw the pictures of an undressed Boba Fett, I couldn't help but think that it looked like a really expensive doll. I used to have the Koto Fett, which I paid all of $80 for. Sure, the materials are different (vinyl, and ABS), but in my eyes, they look like comparable items. The only thing NOT comparable in any way is the price.

5) I most certainly know that size/weight does not equal quality, or else What's Eating Gilbert Grape? would be the best movie of all-time. But I have come to expect much more than an action figure with the PF lines, and part of those expectations are the heft of the product. I don't need it to be light, like a 1/6 collector; this isn't a poseable doll, it is a display piece.

I would be much more tolerant of the PF Fett if the price reflected what at the end of the day are my feelings: a larger, more complex, toy kit.

 

[RoboDad]

I have yet to see anyone from either side REALLY list the virtues or drawbacks of either medium in clearly defined words.

I have never worked in a manufacturing industry that employed either medium, but I have read a bit about both. Based on my understanding (which is, I admit, subject to correction and clarification), the benefits of the different media would be something like this.

Polystone

Benefits

• It can be cold cast (allowing for inexpensive, flexible molds)
• It can be used to achieve higher levels of visible detail and texture
• It can present a more "stone-like" feel and heft (due to its higher molecular density)
• It has a slightly higher heat resistance, making it somewhat less likely to degrade in direct sunlight

Weaknesses

• It is very rigid, making it very brittle (also due to its density)
• It is more expensive (the raw material, not the manufacturing/tooling cost)
• It is difficult to glue

ABS

Benefits

• It is less expensive (the raw material, not the manufacturing/tooling cost)
• It is more ductile (easier to work with in producing different shapes)
• It has very high impact strength (it can withstand impacts that would shatter polystone)
• It has high tensile strength and stiffness

Weaknesses

• It cannot be cold cast (requiring more expensive steel molds)
• It has slightly less heat resistance (75 degrees C versus 80 degrees C for polystone)
• It cannot achieve as precise of visible details as polystone
• It is lighter weight (due to a lower molecular density)

There are probably other things that could be added to both sets of lists, but these are the basic differences that I am aware of.

One other thing that is worth mentioning is that the name polystone does not imply the presence of "stone powder" in the resin mixture. Polystone is merely a common marketing name for any of a variety of polyethylene plastics.

 

[RoboDad]

The reason the Darth Maul piece is cheaper and all poly is due to the fact it is a MUCH simpler piece to do. Other than the wiring to make the saber light up there isn't as much difficulty on him as there would be on Fett. Look at Obi-Wan if you want to see something that compares as far as simplicity goes. Boba was one of the more complex PF they've tried outside of Vader and Greivous. So to try and compare this piece to Maul just doesn't work IMO.

You're probably right, Josh, but it was still a factor in my cancelation decision, for better or worse. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up a regular edition on eBay in a few months.

 

[The Josh]

You're probably right, Josh, but it was still a factor in my cancelation decision, for better or worse. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up a regular edition on eBay in a few months.

Well, axing mine had nothing to do with what it was made of. I just don't worry about that especially when the source explains it to me. I'll be watching ebay for sure cause I do really want this piece.

 

[RoboDad]

Well, axing mine had nothing to do with what it was made of. I just don't worry about that especially when the source explains it to me. I'll be watching ebay for sure cause I do really want this piece.

Sorry. I think I wasn't very clear before. The ABS/polystone thing had nothing to do with me canceling either. It was only the price. Too many things coming, and not enough cash to go around. With Sideshow's $325 price, I knew I'd be able to find a Fett on eBay cheaper at some point, so I canceled it.

 

[The Josh]

Sorry. I think I wasn't very clear before. The ABS/polystone thing had nothing to do with me canceling either. It was only the price. Too many things coming, and not enough cash to go around. With Sideshow's $325 price, I knew I'd be able to find a Fett on eBay cheaper at some point, so I canceled it.

I thought that's what you meant but then again I'm a little slow.

 

[drbrad1975]

Oh, and just to prove how much I love Fett and the high hopes I had for this piece, I was willing to shell out the money for the ultimate representation of the character a couple of years ago:

I would've gladly paid double what Sideshow is asking for the PF Fett if they had done it right. I hope someone there is listening and that they will not make the same mistake again when it comes to future Star Wars PF statues.[/QUOTE]

Holy cow!!! That IS Boba Fett. OMG!! I am speechless!! There you go SS, you can't get a more critical response than that. Although I don't collect PF (due their size not cost), I would like SS to take a moments pause and listen to the collector. We are all SS fans, but we are also fans of the things that SS puts out. If SS doesn't do those things justice in our eyes, we will all eventually lose customer loyalty. That's what has happened to the US automakers. Listen SS, it doesn't happen overnight but if you keep these practices up, it will happen.

Cheers,

Brad

 

[the Doctor]

I think the cubic zirconia analogy is pretty good because you can't see a difference, the value difference is in the perception, the same with Fett IMO. A friend of mine has a CZ engagement ring. She loves the guy more than how much he spent on a rock. Pretty cool girl in my book.

well then i'll have a zirconia boba fett to a diamond boba bett and a wall plaque doesn't make up the difference

 

[Agent0028]

well then i'll have a zirconia boba fett to a diamond boba bett and a wall plaque doesn't make up the difference

Sorry, I'm not following your point.

 

[Brent72]

Holy cow!!! That IS Boba Fett. OMG!! I am speechless!! There you go SS, you can't get a more critical response than that. Although I don't collect PF (due their size not cost), I would like SS to take a moments pause and listen to the collector. We are all SS fans, but we are also fans of the things that SS puts out. If SS doesn't do those things justice in our eyes, we will all eventually lose customer loyalty. That's what has happened to the US automakers. Listen SS, it doesn't happen overnight but if you keep these practices up, it will happen.

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks for the kind words about my lifesize Fett, Brad, and you make a very good point about customer loyalty. I think companies need to realize that they're not entitled to our dollars, they have to earn them. That's certainly a message that needs to be reinforced from time to time.