Congrats man. I was recently told I'd be getting two of TF holy grails as gifts recently so I KNOW how great a feeling it is. :)
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Congrats man. I was recently told I'd be getting two of TF holy grails as gifts recently so I KNOW how great a feeling it is. :)
That's a good point, but with HD and E on the hunt it'll only be a matter of time. ;):DQuote:
Originally Posted by griffin
So which ones did you get? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by gekisou
Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
Interesting point you brought up griffin... heh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Doing a preliminary unveiling in the next post (not part of the 6, but their interrelated, of sorts). :D
Today, I went and picked up the final piece of the 6 from the shops (and picked up something for valkyrie_76 too).
I'm showing 2 pieces which I bought recently for E, which are very special to her.
These 2 are not part of the 6, so its a 'preliminary unveiling' of sorts... (sorry if its not the most interesting or rare of pieces... but they do hold a dear place in my and E's heart).
17 - Soundwave w/ Rumble MIB
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
Strangely, this one comes with a upside down rub-sign, but a pre-rub Rumble
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
D-101: Soundblaster MIB
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
The real deal, this is, hahaha
http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
***
Together
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
I'd say it's not the original contents. So few MIB pieces actually are. Regardless, that's another fine specimen HD :)Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
No idea about the rubsign but the first 'run' of Takara Soundwaves have the tape mechanism on the outside, the second 'run' is like the US ones (as per the one in the pic).Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
Soundblaster (which you just showed off :p) and Deathsaurus. Both are out of box but complete. Wedding gifts.Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Another wedding gift is Victory Sabre (that's 1 robot right? :p) but he isn't quite holy grail level...
Just need Grand Max and all my dreams have come through... :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
Hmm...gotta admit that caught me off guard. I wasn't aware that first run soundwaves had different moldings. Can you guys elaborate more? What about rumble?Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
For this piece, I was sold the moment I saw the beautiful box and contents...
congrats man, very nice wedding gifts if you ask me. They frm your wife to be?Quote:
Originally Posted by gekisou
Grand max is challenging nowadays, my usual shop here sold one MISB, c9+ boxed one for HKD$30,000 just yesterday...
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...omer-drool.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Yep... There goes another keyboard. :p:D
E is a very lucky woman and the both of you are very lucky to have such incredibly awesome Gems! :eek::cool:
For one, the Box-art is in thoroughly pristine condition and reflects the stunning efforts that Hasbro and Takara put into it's packaging some 25+ years ago. :D
The boxes look to be in splendid condition too as it's great to see that the Techspecs and Robot Points are present but also that there is very minimal to no warping at all and that the plastic of the window hasn't lifted away from the cardboard. :eek:
Those foam inserts are in delicious condition too as it looks like there are no scratches, dings, dints, slices or chunks taken out of them, which adds to the truly factory fresh appearance of both packages in their entirety. :cool:
It's truly inspiring to see both Soundwave and Soundblaster displayed like that in their foam inserts as I've often wondered what their layout was like and I must say that it looks really cool to see Soundwave complete with all of his intended accessories; Weapon/Batteries, Microphone and Headphones. ;):cool:
As superfluous as they may of been to a Western Market with regards to his Robot Mode - I believe they go quite a long way in creating the proper look, feel and presence that was intended for his Alt mode, as it clearly succeeds in deceiving Spike Witwicky on a number of occasions. :p:D
The bots themselves look jaw-droppingly gorgeous, save for an odd faction sticker placement :confused:, with both Rumble and Buzzsaw having yummy chrome and sticker conditions but Soundwave and Soundblaster is where all the fun is! :D:D:D
I'd also like to mention how incredibly alike the pair are when looking at them face-on, apart from the colour of the plastics being different, initial glances would suggest that they are exactly the same but upon closer inspection, the subtle differences are more apparent; such as the solidly-molded buttons on Soundblaster and the modified, dual storage tape deck he also has. :)
It's interesting to see this pair not following the usual trend of having the Battery stickers placed on the legs too, which I know is not where they're supposed to go, and whilst it's unfortunate that a single missile has been clipped from Soundblaster's sprue, I think you've found a highly, highly desirable pair of MIB Decepticons HD. ;):cool:
Not interesting? - In the words of Dr. Zoidberg: "Bah!" :p:D
Holy crap man, what a set of Wedding Gifts! - Congrats! :eek::eek::eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by gekisou
Deszaras is one of the very few, less than 5, Japanese only released figures that I'd ever like to own as there is just something so thoroughly Dark and Decepticon about him that just really takes my fancy. :D:cool:
For me though, an official Max of any type would be gratifying as it's probably my ultimate grail really, which many would see as pretty ordinary but there is nothing ordinary with that mold to me whatsoever. ;)
LOL
They are wedding gifts from a friend... who is getting married and his wife doesn't like his hobby so he's giving it to me cos he knows his precious figs will have a good home.
To be fair, my missus barely tolerates my collection :p but I tolerate her book collection so we're even.
I have the Maximus mold in the form of BRAVE MAXIMUS from Car Robot when it came out in Japan. But there's something totally awesome about Grand Maximus that I want that specific version.
I have to say, thank goodness I'm not a MIB/MISB/MOSC collector or I'd go mad due to my collection. :P
Agreed not many single transformers can stand upto soundwave and soundblaster in their individual boxes! The box condition you scored these in is excellonto!:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
I found this bit of G1 uniqueness when I was hunting for info on VSY - The Soundwave included in the VSY set was prior to the Japanese mold change in which the cassette player buttons and the chest door hinges are external to the cassette compartment. :confused: So both versions of soundwave in the 17 box, but if you have a VSY it should be external all the way!
http://thumbnails22.imagebam.com/136...0136663755.jpg http://thumbnails34.imagebam.com/136...c136663763.jpg
NOT MY PICS - As for the rumble - im not 100% my one does has a rubsign :confused: But he should have metal feet - I've seen the odd transformer with upside down rubsigns, maybe the guy in the factory thought he was being funny when putting them on! :rolleyes:
That's interesting seeing the buttons and door hinges there, which is different from the standard G1 Soundwave release - but is actually more similar to the Japanese reissues of Soundwaves! Up till now I thought that it was because TakaraTOMY reverse-engineered the reissue Soundwave mould from Soundblaster, which may still be true, and thus but hinges and buttons are 'external' like on Soundblaster, but it also makes the reissues more accurate this version of the Soundwave mould!
Suddenly my Encore reissue just became a whole lot cooler in my eyes. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Man, Hursti, I love your observations. Would you mind if incorporate what you said into the blog post I'm going to do for Soundwave and Soundblaster? I would really like that.
Agree that the Max mold is amazing. Among all the releases, I think the original Fort Max colours were the best.
Like I said, I much prefer the Fort Max colours. Grand Max is okay, but the reds just throws it off a little. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by gekisou
Hmmm... interesting. So the 17-Soundwave did come with an 'external tape deck hinge(s) and buttons. To be honest, if I saw that in an MIB sample, I would have thought that someone put a reissue in and I would not have bought it. There is something about the hinges being outside and the buttons all outside that I really dislike (for Soundwave, but Soundblaster is fine because he has a 2 tape holding tape deck).Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
Very strange thing Takara did. And now E has ended up with an oddity. I'll have to go tell her about it.
So.... this is #1 of 6
I picked this up from a shop yesterday because, I needed it (and the logic becomes clear later).
It's probably a figure that many would consider insignificant and not a worthy part of the "6 figures" I'd unveiling but it's not that way to me. Blaster has always been very special to me (see here and here). And its also been part of a project between Botch and myself (see here).
I saw this piece at the shop for months now. I had no reason to get it till recently and its been part of a 2 week planning process before I could go down and then get in the right frame of mind to bargain for it - I got a HK$400 discount off this!
So here it is... C-38: Broadblast ("Blaster") MIB, with unused contents and paperworks...
http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/56...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
Unveiling continues tomorrow.... :D
Hehe, it is Soundwave/Soundblaster after all :p, I'd be honoured to have my words incorporated into your blog HD - If you really think they'd be useful. ;):)Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Simply stunning finds though dude, the Soundwave mold certainly has some history though huh? :p
I'd honestly have to agree there, I like Grand Maximus but honestly favour the original Fortress Maximus colour scheme most as watching the Japanese Headmasters Cartoon has sort of made me biased. :DQuote:
Agree that the Max mold is amazing. Among all the releases, I think the original Fort Max colours were the best.
Whilst I hope E isn't disappointed with it in anyway, I do think this has been great learning info for anyone seeking an original Soundwave as whilst I knew that the mold has one hell of a story behind it - I honestly don't categorically know enough detail on each to know which one I'm specifically looking at, beyond the solid buttons, so this has been quite educational IMO. :cool:Quote:
Hmmm... interesting. So the 17-Soundwave did come with an 'external tape deck hinge(s) and buttons. To be honest, if I saw that in an MIB sample, I would have thought that someone put a reissue in and I would not have bought it. There is something about the hinges being outside and the buttons all outside that I really dislike (for Soundwave, but Soundblaster is fine because he has a 2 tape holding tape deck).
Very strange thing Takara did. And now E has ended up with an oddity. I'll have to go tell her about it.
#2 of 6
C-116: Twincast & Steeljaw MIB, unused
This was sitting in the shop I frequent for months and months... I suspect, because the price was not attractive and because its been reissued before. Last week, I decided that I should inspect this piece and wow, was the condition impressive - totally minty and unused (not that it mattered very much because Twincast never had a sticker sheet... I had to settle for a seal paperworks packet).
Also, I managed to get a HK$2500 discount in this piece! :D:D:D
It brought the price down to a level I was more than willing to pay.
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/46...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/45...500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/46...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/23...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg
Sneaky :D Getting a shot of a dino cassette in there!
:eek: Thats one nice twincast.... oooo last photo very sweet indeed.... tell us more :D twincast is the last tapeplayer I need in takara boxes - he wasn't really on the want list but now he is! :cool:
It's been said before - I wish I had your pay packet HD (not your job though :p).
Wow, simply wow! :eek:
Those are both extraordinary specimens HD, the boxart on both are marvellous and the condition of everything contained between those 2 is incredible - Congratulations and well done! :D:cool:
...But wait! - Yes!, you've found 1 of those bloody elusive Dinos - Woohoo! :eek::D
Damn, it's been discovered :pQuote:
Originally Posted by gamblor916
He wasn't on my list for yonks, but it being in Japanese box, man, it's just so awesome handling it... just feels good (unlike the eHobby reissue, which I also have).Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
heehee.... will unveil that tonight... heehee :D:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Yeah, I must admit that the biggest let down with reissue Twincast was the box. :( But I'm perfectly happy with the reissue toy itself and I'm personally not prepared to splash out just for the novelty of owning a box. ;) (but maybe that's just me :))
The G1 box does look waaaay better than the reissue's though. The really weird thing about the reissue box isn't just that it's one of the generic e-Hobby boxes, but also that it's a Decepticon box. Yeah, I get that it's because of Flipsides... but still. Meh.
Looking at the pics there HD and I think that Soundwave there is the same as the Hasbro release because its the same style as mine. Apparently Hasbro had the separate buttons while Takara modified it with one solid piece and changed the hinges. I was wondering what the hell you guys were going on about with the hinge and the location of it but I now I do understand.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
And HD, that question I was going to ask you before, I now remembered it and fond out what it was.
Also I found out that the Hasbro Soundwave I have is a pre-rub version which is a nice little find in itself. It can join the 2 pre-rub seekers that I have as well.
But anyway, very nice peices there HD. Glad to see you have joined the Takara Soundwave/Soundblaster and Blaster/Twincast owner club :D:D
Cant wait to see what other goodies you have but I think I can guess what ones you have :)
Yes, the box was pretty disappointing. Makes me think they were getting really lazy at that point. If I'm not wrong RobotMasters TC and Skywarp uses the same box, so does Twincast and Magnificus.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Yup, if the Takara Soundwave actually came with the hinge outside, then this one that I have is definitely similar to the US release (which I prefer by the way).Quote:
Originally Posted by valkyrie_76
No, you can't have the blood of my first born, but ask anyways! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by valkyrie_76
The pre-rub is sweet, love the large Decepticon symbol on the chest. All my 1984 pieces are pre-rubs (and rubs as well), but for the Decepticons, I made it a point to get a set of pre-rubs. The pre-rub seekers are just so much sleeker than the subsequent releases (there are lots of differences, but I won't go into that here).Quote:
Originally Posted by valkyrie_76
Yah, part of the club! Who else is a member? I suspect Robwin1974 is. The man's collection is more powerful than he lets on, so don't be fooled and don't take him lightly! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by valkyrie_76
Reminds me of someone else we know :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Agree with you on that, the Hasbro version is better, especially the pre-rub version :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
I remembered the question but I found the answer so its all good :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Just wondering if you have checked behind Rumble? Because the rub sign is actually located behind him. I thought I had a pre-rub Rumble on mines as well but when I looked behind him I found his rub sign there.Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Our friend in Beijing? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by valkyrie_76
You are right, I am a damn fool.Quote:
Originally Posted by heretic2010
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/46...500x500Q85.jpg
***
Check back in 10mins....
this is #3 of 6...
After searching for a long time. After a heartbreaking Osaka trip and not finding even one of them, here is one at long last... one of the 4 fabled "dino-cassettes" from 1987...
C-121: Gurafi (or Graphy)... love this little guy even though he is a little odd...
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/24...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/24...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/21...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/23...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
Yowza! That is a special acquisition. Did you get this at a relatively good price, considering there must be some current fear amongst Japanese cassette 'investors', with knockoffs just around the corner?Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Thats Nice. Jealosy rising.
What I wouldn't give...
Was just talking to him last night, his ears must have been burning :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/.../Webpics/2.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Hell Yeah Man! - Congratulations HD! :eek::D:cool:
Wow, that is one insane little package you've got there...
I really like his box, as tiny as it must be, as the colours work well with the box-art piece on the front but it's interesting that they decided to go with a Cartoon rendition of his combined form on the back. :eek::cool:
Yourself and Botch are no doubt going to have a field day though with the scans that'll be surely taken from this little guy, but I also wonder whether inflation applies to those robots points. :p
I'm glad to see that it appears that all the paperwork is there too, especially that little Techspec Card, but I'm not sure if I like the change to the plastic inner-trays as opposed to the foam inner-trays - which do you prefer dude?
I'm so happy for you HD, congratulations on acquiring part 1 of that crazy 4 part Grail! ;):D:cool:
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...eetorthumb.png
Super jelly right now. I want those Dino Cassettes like my bottle of Mead. Good stuff there HD, can't wait to see the rest.
every time i look at this thread my jaw drops more and more. Can't believe what your able to find, every time you post i think to my self, OK how's he going to top that! And somehow you just do :D
Just keep posting the pics man i keep checking this thread when ever i see a new post :D
Wow just wow, look at the condition of him! :eek: Man he looks likes hes lead a sheltered life in a box or on a shelf somewhere. Sweet indeed - quite a complex transformation compared to the earlier cassettes :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Very nice HD. Beautiful condition. Looking forward to what else arrives.
Thanks Michael. I'm just going after what I want (in this case, really want), but its great to hear that this thread is keeping you happy! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by rampagesss
.... might have to give an arm, a leg, or worse, your soul.... :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega
Once again a very nice review and write up Hursti. I have posted your 'review' up on my blog in respect of the Soundwave/Soundblaster post.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
I am very fussy about a dino-cassette. My criteria for it is that it must be C9+, and 110% complete. I wouldn't buy it if its missing the instructions, biocard or if its missing something. The main reason is because, I'd almost never be able to find the missing thing to replace it since these are so difficult to come by.
It's in very sweet condition and to be honest, I'd have it no other way for a dino-cassette. heh. With regard to the 'sheltered life' it has led, there is actually a cool story behind it that I will talk about later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
Yes, its transformation is quite complex, that, and it also needs other moving parts for its combination with Noizu. I really like the transformation, a slight pity the the feet only allows Gurafi to stand upright.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
The next one is here...Quote:
Originally Posted by gamblor916
this is #4 of 6...
Had wanted to update earlier, but I had friends over and was playing Mahjong from 5pm today till 2am... then had to wash the dishes, take out the trash and revert my place back to 'normal' (all of which I like to do, it's therapeutic to me).
So here I am with today's dose - C-123: Dairu / Dial MIB.
I know of many people who consider this the nicest and also the rarest of the 'dino-cassettes'. However, there are also many who consider that Zauru, his combiner partner is the the rarest dino being the last of the 4 to be released. Personally, I'm not so sure, but do remember that this is the only dino-cassette that griffin the man himself is missing.
In terms of complexity of transformation, this one certainly tops it. It is also one of the few (or perhaps only) cassette that does not essentially remain flat after transformation to its alternate mode, which I think is very cool.
I believe that Dairu transforms into a veloci-raptor, which means that these things are cool way before Jurassic Park made them cooler than t-rexes....
Photos!
(I'm a little disappointed that there is a tear on the box which result in some box art being ripped off)
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/21...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Just saw your name in the post and thought ok whats he got now?
:eek: See what i mean, just when you think how's he going to top Gurafi you post Dairu :D so im guessing the other dino-cassettes wont be to far away?
Can only imagine how much these are costing
Also don't forget to cross them out on your signature down the bottom as the list is getting shorter and shorter :D
According to TFwiki the robot mode is seems to be an Iguanadon. Is there anything on the box or inserts that indicates what the robot-dino mode is meant to be? I checked TF Generations, but it doesn't say.Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon