Dolls that *aren't* for beginners?

Oh my goodnes the D-one is it called?? I couldn't get it to stand at all. If any doll could put a beginner off, I think that would be it.

 

well, being a newb I personally wanted to go with some thing as affordable as possible my first go. I wouldnt want to dive in to any hobby gun-ho and spending-crazy even if I readily had 600 dollers to burn. and lets face it, who does right now? if you do, youre lucky, but even so, it seems just a little reckless. But I suppose its a matter of personal opinion.... but I suppose thats what the boards are all about, right!

 

Do your research and then pick the one you want. They just are not that hard, really. And in this economy it will be hard to sell one you arenot in love with.

 

I really don't think a beginner should be limited to a 'simple' or 'easy' doll. Being new to the hobby doesn't mean you'll be completely stupid about your doll. A newbie can research/study on how to do things they want with their doll, having other dolls isn't a prerequisite. (and on the other hand, there are owners with several dolls that they have owned a long time and yet they still faceup with poster paints and markers and leave their dolls in the sun)

 

what an interesting read - as a full fledged noob (ordered 3 pipos which have yet to arrive) i have been incredibly intimidated by some of the dolls i've seen featured here and elsewhere. my main concerns being general care and switching out of parts.

it also made me a little sad (and gave me a giggle) that quite a few folks view the SOOM monthly dolls as a little risky for a beginner as they're the exact non-anthro dolls that have swept me off my feet.

guess i'll wait for my 1st few bjd's to arrive and see if i have the stuff to step up to such an incredible doll next

 

My first doll was a sd megu. now i want a smaller doll

 

A lot of the questions and worries over what sort of doll, if any, would be answered very quickly if a newcomer were able to attend a meet-up.

Ask permission first, of course, but most people attending a meet are very happy to let you pick up their dolls, and bend the arms and otherwise get a feel for the doll.

Some people have dolls they do not want anyone else to touch ever. My own feeling, shared by my local groups, is that a doll so precious should probably stay safe at home.
But few people will feel really comfortable with some random person walking up and picking up their doll.

If your arms strain getting a 60cm doll off the table, you'd probably prefer a smaller doll.
If super-tinies (8" and under) have you reaching for a microscope, maybe you'd be happier with a larger doll.
Perhaps a certain frontal elevation is more to your tastes. (b***b size, i'm referring to here, often called 'Mature' for large. As an old phart with a moderate endowment, I know that's not where maturity lies.)

Anyway, there are plenty more things about dolls that any new enthusiast can learn very quickly from a doll in her or his hands, that photos may never show.
And your fellow enthusiasts are one of the best sources for hands-on advice, as well as being generally cool people.


Ann in CT
p.s. I think Domuya Flexi-bodies are awfully complicated for a newcomer, but a good friend of mine started with one & adores it. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes.

 

If they swept you off your feet, then that's what really matters most. People will always have different opinions about dolls--what one person thinks is too complicated, someone else has no problems with. That's why it's important to go for the dolls that you personally love.

 

go with whatever you love!
i disagree with alot of things people have said;
"do not go for the most expensive doll" well, if you really love the doll, it is better to save up for it and get the doll you really want instead of just trying to settle for a cheaper doll based solely on the fact that it is cheaper.
"do not get soom MDs as your first" why not? yea, they do tend to havwe alot more bits and pieces to them, but if you really love a doll...

not trying to call anyone out or anything! just stating my opinion :3

 

Personally, regardless of size, all BJD's are pretty much the same. I also concur with the suggestion that any newcomer to the hobby should attend a local meet-up. I was exposed to various sizes before I made my choice, and in the end my decision was based on what I fell in love with first... then the size. I'm expecting my second doll, another MSD, and now that I've been in the hobby a while I feel ready to add an SD to my collection once I am able.

It's really a matter of what you want to handle. Frankly, after a third doll, and an SD to boot, I don't have the room right now for any more. Evaluate the room you have available for your collection, and that just may tip the scale if you're on the fence.

 

I dont think that there should be a hard line rule but I would say that beginners may want to stay away from LE dolls. They tend to cost quite a bit more and should be handled with more care.

 

D:<
OH NO my first doll is going to be a soom MD - dun dun dun... but i kind of think it depends on the person, really. my take is that... if i'm going to spend some hundred bucks on dolls, i might as well buy one that ill treasure forever than someone first try-out, sort of cop-out first doll... especially it's my first, it's going to be extra special to me.

 

You are absolutely right, I think. No matter what doll you choose they are expensive anyway, so you could just as easy go for the one you truly want than spill your money on one you don't care about.

 

I do recommend going to a meeting to check out different sizes and options, however I attended my first meeting when I already had my first doll. Sometimes you're just confident in what you can handle by just thinking about it.
Some people say that you should go for a cheaper or smaller doll first like MSD sized doll, but when I was looking at different molds for my first doll there were hardly any mature minis and I wanted a mature looking doll. Or at least a doll that could pass for a 20 year old. That left me with de SD sized dolls and I never regretted that choice.

My first doll was a graduation gift from my parents and thus selling if I didn't like it was not an option. So I picked the doll that I really loved. I could have spared my parents' wallet and picked a "cheap" doll, but back then Dream of Doll was considered the cheap company together with Dollzone. I'm glad I didn't pick a "cheaper" MSD sized doll and got the doll that was what I wanted instead.
I know of people who bought a "try out" doll first and then said they couldn't sell it for the retail price anymore because the company upgraded the body since then and so many other dolls are on the secondary market. Don't just assume you will be able to sell a doll without loss of money.

Without ever having touched a BJD before I unstrung my first doll, sanded the seams, and restrung him within 24 hours after his arrival. All the information I needed was available on the internet and all it took was some confidence. (But I believed the misconception everybody did these things with their dolls and thought that in that case it couldn't be that hard.)

Very true. Even a cheap doll will cost you a lot of money. Think of shipping, custom fees, eyes, wigs, clothes, shoes, etc. A cheap doll may costs you close to $200 to $300. That's not really nothing in my opinion. I can't imagine most people want to just sand seams and restring their dolls, things for which you don't need to love the way a doll looks.
Most people will want to play with their dolls, pose them, take pictures and look at how pretty they've become. Pick a doll that will suit your interests. If you like a challenge, don't shy from the more complicated molds. If you are afraid of restringing for example, either find someone who could help you or go for the less intimidating molds. It would be a pity if someone bought a doll and is then afraid to touch it.

Other than that I'd say the sky (and your wallet) is the limit.

 

I was told hundred times that DOD's Kalix with grey resin shouldnt be my first doll but I just couldnt forget about him. He was the perfect doll for me and filled up all my imaginations. I cant agree to save my money and get some doll 'not for beginners' instead of some 'i truely love'. on this point, i dont really think there are dolls not for beignners. your own choice really should come first I guess.

 

I have to say that my first resin was a Domuya Flexi. I got her during their big promotion a few years ago and sort of bought without doing any research because she was 'on sale.' She was blank, naked, and looked like an alien :P Even though she couldn't (still doesn't want to!) stand worth a flip she was so beautiful and heavy and elegant. The only real letdown was the fact that her, ah, womanly curves, had a hard time balancing on those long stick legs and jointed feet. She was my 'starter doll' but she is still my first and favorite BJD!

For those that are put off by the thought of putting a Unoa together, it is surprisingly easy. The pictures are easy to follow and there is a really excellent step by step tutorial somewhere here on DoA. (thank you whoever you are!) I had never assembled or even restrung a doll before and was tempted to ship my Sist off to pay someone else to do it, but one day I just sat down and did it, it took about 20 minutes. Everything you need comes in the kit!


so I say, if you really love it, whether it's a less expensive Bobobie or one of those magnificent Soom MDs, get it!

 

I have to second the comment about second-hand dolls.

I bought my first doll secondhand and although I was very pleased with the purchase, I ended up removing the old faceup and blushing, re-doing the sueding, re-stringing, and spending hours and hours cleaning her. It was a terrible lot of work.

As happy as I am with the type of doll I chose, I wish I'd gone with one that was pristine from the original company and saved myself a lot of effort.

On the other hand, it's given me a crash-course in customizing and maintenance, and that's pretty cool, too.

I would just warn first-time buyers to really stop and think about how much time and energy they want to put into their first doll - do you want something you can take out of the box and it will look smashing, or do you want a doll that will be need some work first, that will be a project?

 

this is an excellent thread...it's helping me learn more about the dolls and what to possibly avoid and what to learn as i'm just starting out

 

do you have any experience of modeling? since bjd need a bit of it. no matter which you brought, one day you eventually need to do some maintenance..or worse, repair.
so, in my opinion, buy the one you really really really really love. to make sure one day if it has problems you wont abandon it.

 

I think that even though some dolls are "easier" to care for than others, that shouldn't affect what doll is your first. Sure, some basic knowledge is required, but nothing should hold you back from your dream doll. Do research, learn about the doll you want, know what the downsides there are (if any) along with the upsides. DoA is here as well to support everyone who needs help. A beginner shouldn't feel like they can't get their dream doll because it's not a "beginner" doll.

My two cents.
Kirsten