How much modding is too much?

Personally I think there is not much of an extent to modding dolls to much, except if its...cracking and screaming out for you to cease action. The ones that make me want to say, "What an idiot." is the heavilly ugly, and hideous mods. Those are just wrong. And sometimes, yes, I do feel like saying, "Why don't you just get a minime?" but then I realize that they wouldn't cause they can't have fun in modding the poor god forsaken doll.

But yes, sometimes, very very heavily modded dolls can look like perfect angel arts, fit to be in the most famour gallery, but seeing those types are rare, mostly. But you do run into those type of dolls in your life. If you modded a limited beyond anyone's thought, that would be a shame pretty much, but hey, whatever rocks their boat, we're not anywhere to tell them what to do. After all, it's their doll bought with their money, or...their parents money, whatever yeah?

But those heavy ugly jobs are just "OMG.". Personally if I had the chance, I would mod my dolls, normally to make them different from the others. But...of course I'd stick to it's looks, just...mod little by little. But it's not needed for me, all my dolls are perfect. But when it comes to selling your modded doll, I kind of pity their stupidity. Wasn't there a line where, if you change a doll or mod it, it's basically your doll? Resinly bound to you? If your selling it cause you don't like that modded doll, I personally think it's your fault, not even realiizing you've ruined the doll with your own two hands.

....I have not clue what Resinly means by the way. XD

EDIT : I wonder who's brave enough to read my useless ramble?

 

I really don't see extreme mods as a huge issue. As long as the doll doesn't fall apart from it, go crazy! Heck, sand the nose completely off to make a Voldemort if that's what you want; it's your doll.

As far as extreme mods on limiteds/OOAKs goes, especially if the sculpt is barely or not recognizable, I just have to stop and wonder why. It's not at all a "how could they?" type reaction. Turn Bermann or Saint into the above mentioned Voldie if you really want! But if you won't be able to recognize the sculpt, why not just buy a cheaper head with similar bone structure? Save monies, get the same result.

(Actually.. That scrawny dollshe body would make a pretty good Voldemort... Maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a rescue doll.)

 

LOL! Voldemort! I remember my friend attempting to make him and his nose dropped of!!

 

Personally, other than opening sleeping eyes or well sculpted elf ears, I'm not a big fan of mods. I either like a sculpt as it is or I don't & feel no need to change the original artist's vision. I've never found a modded doll that I'd care to buy.

That's not saying that there aren't some beautiful mods out there but they seem to be predomininantly scars & other disfigurations.

 

It's their money, it's their doll, they can do what they want to it. It would be the same situation if someone bought thousands of dollars of haute couture and decided to burn it. I would not say anything because it's theirs. Who am I to say what they do with their belongings.

So whether it's a simple eye-opening mod or as bad as taking a hammer and smashing the doll to pieces or writing all over it with a sharpie (as long as they're not doing the sharpie thing out of novice-ness) I wouldn't say anything. Even if they buy a one off and throw it in the oven, I can't complain.

 

It's amazing to me, how many times this sentence can be applied to some arguement in the dolly debate. LOL Ironic. It's their doll, that they spent their money on. They can do whatever they want. They can mod the doll till the eyes are all the way down to the lips. They can cut the ears off. They can melt half the face. Hell, they can toss the thing in the road, and watch cars run over it over and over again. What right do I have to tell anyone what they can or cannot do with their dolls. These are DOLLS, not living things. There is no such thing as 'abusing' them. Im much more concerned with people who abuse animals, or children, or a spouse. THOSE are things that are important to me. Not really someone 'abusing' their inanimate object.
It seems in this hobby, that we constantly worry about what everyone else is doing with their dolls in a negative light. "OMG, why did she mod her limited???" "??? WHY did she split that one-off set???" Etc. At the end of the day, these are OBJECTS. Pretty, and expensive, but objects none-the-less. It just seems that constantly, the debates center around what 'right' people have to do certain things with their dolls. Let me answer ALL of those debate in one single sentence. "It's their doll, they can mod it, split it, sell it, take bad photos of it, sell the head, break it, give it away, or be mad if someone copies it. They have the right to feel anyway they like. This is america. They have the right to DO whatever they like. It's their money. Not a single one of us in this forum has the right, however, to take away someone's right to do those very things.

It's a bit LOL-worthy to see the people constantly getting mad about how people paint/mod their dolls, or what they do with their rare/limited pieces.

 

@ NosKryme
I'm brave enough to read all XD

well ... hmm I don't really know how to explain my opinion in english then will do my best -_- I guess for me modding is too much when it looks nothing more than ugly .... don't know if you get it.

And maybe when they buy LE dolls to mod it over and over and you finally get a doll where you can't see what original doll it was anymore, that's odd, why not to buy a BBB or Resinsoul doll for exemple ?!

I love vampire but I don't like much vampire doll if I would mod a vampire doll I would buy a inexpensive doll to mod, first I can mess totally my work, second, I don't need to get a LE doll to mod it I just need a doll to use as base, and most of the time LE get "special" sculpt, it's odd to me to think : oh will buy this one I like it but I will mod it and change this and this and this and this and hours/weeks later you don't even remember how it looked before.

Well that's "odd" for exemple to mod heavily a LE and expensive doll when you can buy inexpensive doll and get the same fun modding but .... that's their money and not my prob, I won't stop to sleep 'cause of that lol

I do no sense with my babbling o-o ..... well I find it too much when the load of mods are ugly or you don't even can't recognize the original doll ?!

Youhou, don't forget we do not all come from America *rolls eyes* even if you are right about the freedom fact but not everyone is american here .....

 

Generally speaking modifications are intended to enhance the doll in some way - either to give it character (example: burns, scars, rot, cybernetic parts), to increase mobility or repair manufacturing defects (example: re-beveling eyesockets, lengthening the thigh slot for different posing, sanding seams) and finally, to make the doll more visually appealing to the owner or possible buyers (example: custom face-ups, dye jobs, eye openings). The results when they are unfavorable are usually due to inexperience - experimentation, that sort of thing.

I feel that as long as the artist states what the doll's base form was, then whatever they turn it into is alright, regardless of the base forms rarity. It is nice to know what it used to be to get a point of referance for how dramatic the change is.

**At what point do you look at another owner and say, "Dude, why didn't you just get a Minimee?" **

The reason why most people take up heavy modification is because they like the work. Minimee does not offer that kind of hands-on experience.

**do you sincerely enjoy the innovation of extreme modifications? **

Yes.

**Are there limits, and where are they for you?**

The limit for me is when the modifcation is unintended and results in severe damage that could have easily been avoided with a little more research beforehand. An example: using an exacto blade to scrape off eyeliner that could have been removed with paint thinner. The worst case I have ever seen was a very long time ago - the doll's face was stained with markers and then covered with deep scratches from very course sandpaper . I feel that is just a waste.

 

I would tend to agree that it's unfortunate if it's a limited sculpt, but I think that also partially depends on the circumstances. If a limited head has a certain feature I like that nothing standard has, but I'm not a huge fan of another part, I might mod it if I was certain that I never intended to sell it. No one else was going to get it anyway so it doesn't matter if it's no longer default/perfect.

Another example of when I might do this is if I had tried to sell said limited and there was little to no interest. If no one's going to take it off my hands and give me an opportunity to get something more in line with my tastes, then I'm going to take that as the green light on modding that limited.

If it's something half the marketplace is after though, I would feel kind of bad that someone modded it but it's theirs to do what they want with.

As for what constitutes 'too much' modding, I really don't think there is such a thing. I'm all for strange/creepy/unrecognizable things. I think it's really cool when I see a mold and wonder what on earth it is and then find out it's something everyone has but the person has changed it so much you can't tell.

 

Wrong! This is SPAAAARRTA!
*cough* Sorry. I just noticed that since seriously, this isn't america, this is worldwide, like the whole forum isn't just for americans. I'm a brit!



I think people should frankly get on with their lives, rather than judge other people on what they do to their dolls. Dolls. I fully concur with comicbookartistboi.. except about america XD

 

Fully agree with everything comicbookartistboi said. *applaud*

 

I actually highly dislike modding. But dont get me wrong, there are alot that was done a great job on it and deserves a comment like "Thats good!" I'd only like to buy modded closed or open because people do it real good on here.

I found this VERY heavily modded bjd for sale thats now on hold, possibly gone? It was full metal alchemist bjd, that actually had a half metal face and metal looking body, painted? Maybe? She stated it was a mere attempt and could have malfuctions, all I knew was that I wanted to curse the being who had it on hold X'D LMAO. She said she might start making some more in the summer :3
So happy!

Thing is, with me. I feel if your bjd was good made bjd with the mods, and VERY small flaws, it can be considered somewhat of a LE bjd..because honest people, That FMA doll was godly. It looked so amazing! >o<

 

I don't really care how extreme a mod is as long as it's well done and looks good. Though I tend to agree about modding limiteds (if they are in high demand) I have been surprised before. I've seen limiteds that have been modded, I thought I would see a ruined doll, but they were actually a lot better than the default. I think if you have some extremely rare and sought after doll and just decide to randomly experiment on it, it's pretty sad. There are also limiteds that are not really in demand though I don't think anyone would have a heart attack if I had my Kohya's ear pierced.

 

I am also a fan of modding. It makes your doll yours. I am planning a custom face-up and possibly an eye mod on my head. I have to admit I have seen some mods I didn't like-I thought they were over done. But that is just my personal taste. I do admit I've seen a few extreme mods where I actually thought it was a bit of a shame on that sculpt...but to each his own. Do what you like. I never look at my dollie head and think what will make her worth more in the end...I just think how do I see her and how do I get her there? Well, I guesse for a minute I did have a minor conscious qualm about modding a limited head...but it passed LOL.

 

For me, every doll is a work of art. Everyone has different perceptions of beauty, which is reflected in their personality. Not everyone appreciates gore, but some do. Some say, "A few scars might be good but any flesh showing out is not my type", but others have a different opinion (Maybe some prefer bones showing out, but let's leave that to the owner's imagination).

As long as the beauty of the doll is appreciated (even if what is left of the doll's audience is the owner, while the others are running away from it) it is not too much, because it makes them happy and loves the doll in that way. The owner must have poured his/her soul to the doll to get the love it deserves from its owner. But if the owner is forcing him/herself to believe that his/her doll is beautiful even though s/he knows it is downright "unappreciative" then that is too much.

Now, selling "unappreciative" dolls to the community because you cannot appreciate your own modification is more than much... however there is still a chance that these dolls can be "resurrected" by others to get loved again. (Now that's a happy ending, but remember that not all end up like this).

I think dolls should be modded to the point that there will be someone who can appreciate it just as the owner appreciated it, not because of the "they are limiteds anyway, so even if I mess up there will be someone out there that will be buying this" attitude. We know that modding requires skill, but doing practice modding on limiteds are expensive though, but let them burn their money if that is their thing.. I just wish they won't brag about it like, "So what if I turned my LE doll into a toothpick? I can afford it and you can't, boohoo.. I'll practice more so I can make a box of toothpicks made of LE"

 

*rolls eyes* i think you get my point. I don't care if ur from America, Germany, China, Japan, or Mars. If people spend their money on a doll, no one can tell them what to do with it. Plain and Simple.

LOL Ok, ok OK..i get it...yeah, i know we are a world-wide forum. But i'm simply referring to myself. I'm in America! LMAO anyways, it was meant more as a 'freedom to do what you want with what you spend your money on" sort of comment LMAO Apologies if anyone was offended! LOL Of course, i know not everyone here in the forum is from the US lol Wait.... SParta? Seriously... Sparta? LMAO

 

If you have a limited doll, I think slight modifications to the nose, eyes, ears, ect. are okay. However, taking a limited doll and completely changing it so that the qualities that really make it stand out as THAT particular sculpt is wrong in my eyes. Someone is probably dying for that sculpt that you've just taken and changed.
I can see it being okay if you bought a limited Vamp/Elf Ivan, for example, then gave him human ears, changed his eyes and nose, but kept the teeth, because that was something that you needed for the character, and it was something that the homme version doesn't have. Or if you got a limited WS crobidoll lance, and heavily modded him, but you needed the skin tone. That's okay, in my eyes.

One-offs are harder. I don't think they should be modded. Honestly, they're a one of a kind sculpt, and should be kept that way. If you want a doll kinda like that, don't change the only one! Get a different doll that has some of the same features and mod that one. I almost think it's disrespectful to the artist to change something that they've made in a sense... for you.
Same goes for super-limited dolls. Like... only 3 in the world or something...

 

Please don't take this offensively, but everything you listed in the Vamp/Elf Ivan example are things that make the doll stand out. The things that you deem make the doll stand out may not be anything special to the person who bought it. Maybe to them, the chin is what makes him stand out. Or the shape of the eyes...or maybe the nose. It all comes down to opinion. And if 'right or wrong' were dictated by those with those opinions, then NO ONE would be allowed to modify any type of doll. I also have to disagree when u say that it's not ok because someone is wanting those dolls that you've now changed. Some people are wanting to get their hands on many dolls. Some limited, some not.

So if Suzy wants a Vampire Shiwoo, and i modify mine to have no vampire teeth, and give him elf ears, (which basically turns him into an elf Shiwoo) then would i be wrong? He's not limited, but Suzy can't afford one. Am i limited in what i can do with my dolls because someone else couldn't afford said doll, or because they are more deserving?

I'm sorry, but if they want the doll so badly then they should have done what needed to be done to get the doll. This means saving your money. Busting your butt to beat everyone to getting it. Just because they were not fortunate enough to get the limited/doll does not mean that the person who did should have to restrict themselves in how they treat the doll, or what they do with it. It's THEIR doll. They bought it. They have the right to do whatever they wish, upto and including destroying it.

This world would be a much better place if we didn't try so hard to tell everyone what they can or cannot do with their personal possessions.

Some guys buy sports cars. Then, they run them ragged, racing them, and such, until the car isn't worth 1/16th of what it was worth. Does it aggrivate me? not at all. It's their car, they worked hard to earn it, and spent the money it took to get it. I just know to look for the damage or extreme use, before i buy it from them. I'm not going to go up to them and say "That is not fair. You can't do that!! I wanted that car, and can't afford it!! You should stop ruining it, and give/sell it to me, because i'm more deserving!!!"

I think the same should be said with dolls. It should not annoy or aggrivate you when someone does stuff to their own doll. Just don't buy it if they sell, and look for the doll in it's original condition. It's up to you to buy or not buy. But you have no right to dictate to anyone how they treat their doll, or what they do to it. It is also not 'disrespectful' in any shape or form to modify any doll, one-off or not. These dolls are MEANT to be customized. They are MEANT to be changed. Ultimately that is why they were created. The artists know this going in. People buy these dolls with the sole purpose of enjoying them, one-off or not. Now if i took the Mona Lisa, and spray painted a big V in the middle of it, THAT is disrespectful to the artist. That was an art piece that was NEVER meant for me to tinker with or change. It wasn't even meant for me to put my hands on. Yet there i was, with my red spray paint, painting a V in the middle of it. (not that i really did, duh...lmao just an example)

 

I've got a Soom Euclase and modded his meditation head to have open eyes. I didn't think twice about it because I prefer my dolls with open eyes and I like that head. I don't expect to have to ask other people's opinions about it and if they don't like it, don't look. I may see some mods and think that's a shame, but it's the other person's right to do what they please. If they go to sell and I hate it, then don't buy it. I've bought a Volks Olivia and preferred that someone had removed the face-up because I hate Volks face-ups. You're never going to stop people doing what they wish to their own dolls so why worry about it? It may be a shame if there are only 1 or 2 of them in the world, but that's life. As to what extent changing a doll ruins it - that's really in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure someone will feel I've ruined my Euclase meditation head because he's wide awake now, others will agree with what I did. Some people like company face-ups, others don't. I've bought a Soom Gena head and she's got a scar which I love because she looks like a survivor and isn't ruined as far as I'm concerned. Others with scars and burns I've liked or hadn't been particularly keen on. It varies quite a bit.

 

In response to this:

I would like to agree with this:

And this:

And add my two cents worth:

I feel that community members in this hobby are sometimes a bit too self entitled. There's a surprising amount of community involvement in this hobby, but sometimes things get a bit out of hand with members who either want a certain doll or know a certain doll that someone else has, and it causes them to cross a line. They're fanatics, not just fans (of either the doll or the mold). And they can act like overbearing aunts and uncles. These people look at the work of someone else and go, 'augh, that's awful!' and honest to god, sometimes it is. But when they look and go 'augh', and then just want to take that doll away from thier owner, for whatever reason, I feel that that goes beyond into something unnecessary, a little too invested in someone elses personal items.

People are so used to how things are around the forum that sometimes, they grow to assume that the dolls are here on this board for them, in a way, for thier entertainment, and to a degree they are because this is very much a community involved hobby (we all like to take pictures of our dolls so that so and so will comment on this doll or that doll and say they look nice, or that pretty pictures were taken, or that this or that photostory was omglol too funny', etc, etc) but ultimately, a doll is here for the personal enjoyment of its owner, and the doll needs to be taken that way, even if the doll in question makes you turn your nose up in disgust or makes you question why the owner would even want to buy a limited doll at all.

This is what I mean, for example; yes, Susie bought that Limited Edition Elf Ivan and then dyed the crap out of him to make him green, when a million other people also wanted that elf Ivan! That's almost selfish! Why couldn't she have just bought the normal Ivan! Just add vampire teeth! Just blush him whiter! That's a limited doll and now there's one less out there that -I would want to buy-.

Which honestly, is why I think people get so upset about other peoples' modded Limiteds, when it comes right down to it, either consciously or sub consciously. Not all the time, but I think alot of the time. Person A buys a limited doll that Person B likes. person A does something permanent to the doll that Person B wouldn't have done to the doll. In Person B's eyes, the doll has just plummeted in value, making the mold essentially worthless to them and therefore, a waste. If they would've had the chance to have that doll, they would have done it better! Now it's ruined!

Which is was what I meant by the 'over bearing uncle/aunt' syndrome. It can also be known as 'backseat driver' syndrome, or 'nosy neighbor sydrome'. This community has alot of it, but I think that goes hand in hand with having such a strong, close knit community. People grow so attached to these dolls (and honestly, they're *just* dolls. They are not living things.) and invest so much into them, that they get sensitive about them or take things personally, even when it's not thier doll in question. I don't think it's appropriate, though I think criticism is something else altogether, and I endorse it. It should not be mistaken for what I am talking about, here though. They're two seperate things, but I don't want whoever's reading this to think I'm confusing the two. I'm not always concise at speaking, unfortunately. ^^;;