Dolls that *aren't* for beginners?

I guess I would say that dolls that are incredibly frustrating to string would not be the best choice for a first doll. Dolls like DC Elizabeth, centaurs, dolls under 16cm, that kind of thing. Probably also secondhand "project dolls"; dolls that would *require* heavy modding and restoration in order to make them presentable again. But hey, do what y'all like.

 

I know this wasn't the case for lots and lots of people who bought them back in the day, but I don't know how any newbie ever dealt with a Lovelyhouse SD-size body. Even as a veteran doll collector/poser/what have you, my newest boy gives me all kinds of trouble with his joints popping out of place, not being able to stand... He's going to need extreme sueding if not wiring and I don't know if I'd have felt comfortable doing that when I was new to BJDs.

 

I second the comment about DC dolls. I have a DC Barbara and as much as I didn't have to string her from scratch, those tendrils on her head were fiddly and confusing to attach. I can imagine someone unfamilar with the hobby would be able to work it out too, but they might be terrified of breaking her or the extra parts and of course loosing the tiny s-hooks that go onto the end of each tendril (it's a good job they send a lot of extras)!

That and DC Ada is delightfully tiny, but restringing a miniscule centaur doll is best left to someone with a little more experience

 

Anything that's confusing to string. Or, dolls that come needing new string. I've heard things about ResinSoul, which are typical 'start dolls', but sometimes people freak out because they need to be tightened, or need new string in general x_x;

There's also the issue of posing. Depending on what you are getting your doll for, be it for photographs or just to have sitting on your shelf to keep you company, posing can be an issue. There are some dolls that stand well, others that don't. And, there's also dolls that sit better than others. My IH SID Lee is TERRIBLE at sitting!!!!

Balance was a thing for me. My first doll was an HZ, and he was an excellent poser and easy to stand. But then I got in some soom dolls and I went to stand them and it was like... yikes!!! I don't have a problem now, but when I first started with soom, aside from having to tighten every single doll, standing was always super difficult.

With the issue of DC... it depends on the doll. If you get one of the dolls that aren't crazily jointed and don't have any extra parts, they're actually really great dolls! My Oort, Pierre, hughs, and Jodie are super easy to stand and pose.

I also don't recommend dollmore dolls as starter dolls. They can be a little floppy.

Wow this is really long. I'll stop here. xD

 

Not only this, but there's a problem with clothings. If you are to buy a doll with unique measurements you'd have much harder time finding articles that will work for your dolls, and either have to make seperate orders or pick up sewing yourself.

 

I think it depends on what the new hobbyist wants out of his or her doll. If they want to sew they should avoid dolls in odd sizes that have limited patterns available. If they want a doll that poses well for photostories and the like they should avoid dolls that are known for being difficult to pose. If they want to mod a doll then maybe a very expensive LE would be a poor choice. The thing is, some newbies jump right in without doing research and that could lead to disappointment. It did for me. I bought my first doll because I'd seen a beautiful custom of the sculpt, but my girl arrived with a very bland default faceup and was so bad at posing I couldn't get her to do anything. If I'd read about the company's dolls before I took the plunge I might not have bought that doll as my first. I eventually sold her.

 

I think if you just bought a doll (any size) on a whim without researching anything about the company or know anything about the size and requirements...then I would say it's not suitable for you. But if you did enough research, knew all the pitfalls, you have space, money, tools to take care of the doll, then I'ld say you were ready.

If you have a couple of dolls in mind, maybe start with the smallest size and gradually move up from there. For me, it was from a YOSD and tiny straight to Iplehouse EID and Soom Idealian. But I used my wall and made markings so I knew exactly how tall they were going to be compared with my YOSD so I knew and was ready.

 

I agree with this. I started with Soom fantasy doll. She was the first doll I ever held, and I didn't have any problems. I strung her with fantasy parts just going off of YouTube restringing videos. If you prepare yourself, do the research, and have the patience, almost any doll would be fine for a beginner.

 

Agree completely with Doll Chateau. Hilary is easy too deal with. Christina and Dolores are NOT. I love those two dolls.
And their extra joints, but not for the fearful.

 

For me, I researched first, and had a chase to go to a doll meet to see how big they really are, and decided that MSD was best. The 60-70 dolls were so big! I wasn't sure I would have space for them!

But I'd agree with most people on the simpler the better, and steer clear of unusual resin colors as well. I have grown to love the darker resin (especially since they can be hard to find) but as a newbie, I would have found then a bit intimidating.

Also maybe mods would be bad if buying second hand? I got both of my dolls second hand, and they are in great condition. I liked that I could have a conversation with them and ask them questions when i still had no idea how to go about it. I was lucky to buy them from very nice and patient people.

 

Dolls with multiple legs like centaurs and the DC Spider might be a little overwhelming for a first time buyer. I don't see why you shouldn't get one though. Just because something is tricky at first doesn't mean it's impossible.

 

The simple answer is that the doll you don't research is not the one for a beginner. Know the company, look at tons of user photos especially if you plan to buy a company face-up, and consider known problems about the dolls and if you are ready for them. As long as you go in with your eyes open, I don't really think there's any doll that absolutely cannot be someone's first doll.

 

OMG I second the adopted doll thing! My first doll was second hand and she arrived FILTHY!

 

Research is the most important thing, I think. That and knowing your own comfort level. Although for someone very new to dolls in general, I'd recommend buying from one of the better-known companies and sticking to a standard size. It just makes it easier finding accessories and clothes, as well as other owners for pics and advice.

I wouldn't recommend buying a first doll secondhand unless you know and trust the person you're buying from. That said, my first doll came to me third-hand. She's not "perfect," but I knew her history and quirks before I bought her and I love her to pieces.

 

I don't agree with the notion that a beginner should avoid or purchase certain dolls. The beginner should research and find a doll that suits them, no matter what anyone says. I'd rather see them get a doll they absolutely love than get a "cheap" doll because that's typical for the hobby or avoid a doll that might be too big, hard to string, or what have you.

If they get a more complicated doll, it might be harder for them, but we all have to learn sometime.

 

I don't know that I'd say "absolutely not" to secondhand dolls, but I might advise more caution with them for a beginner than with a new-from-the-company doll. My experience with secondhand dolls has been a mixed bag; I own a total of four currently. One came nearly brand new and in perfect condition (only one flaw, discovered later, that was a manufacturing flaw unnoticed by the original owner). One came older but well-loved and well-cared for, from a local collector who's excited to see her impending makeover. One came badly damaged, with damage fully disclosed before I accepted him, and is being beautifully repaired by a modder here on DoA. And one came listed as "slight even yellowing," who was filthy, with destroyed stringing, and severe, uneven yellowing. I had the patience to repair him and he's now a beloved part of my collection, but if he'd been someone's first doll, he might've turned them off from at least the secondhand market entirely, if not the whole hobby--especially if he went to one of the many people I see who are terrified to even change their dolls eyes, much less do a full restringing.

However, that's really only 25% of my secondhand dolls (and 20% of transactions, as the badly damaged doll was acquired as a head only and had to have a body procured) that have been negative, and 50% (40% total) that would not be the best deals for a beginner. Two full dolls and one body were still in perfect condition, and would be great for a beginner! So it's mainly a matter of proceeding with caution. (As well as, of course, the general caveats against recasts in the secondhand market.)

 

Secondhand doll, coz beginner may not know how to identify a recast bjd

 

I would think that taur dolls might be difficult for beginners.

 

IMHO that'd be any soom gem dolls as they arrive as a build-it-yourself constuctor . Beginners will be very puzzled upon seeing this stuff when opening the doll .

 

My first ball-jointed doll was a second-hand full-set. Sure, there were some flaws that a new doll might not have had but that made me even more excited about her. For example: I was so nervous but proud at the same time when I had to glue in her eyelashes for the first time. Might be a stupid little thing but it made her feel like mine even more.

I still don't think I would have been happier with a new doll as my first...

There's not a single doll that wouldn't be suitable for a beginner. Beginners come in all different characters just like dolls come in all different sizes and shapes. You just have to find the doll you love the most and go for it!