Is it okay to mod a rare head?

So true. I own one doll out of a limited edition of 16 and I think I've posted pictures of him two times. Three times if you count the box opening. All 16 dolls were bought by people who are DoA members, but I haven't seen many owner pictures. I can't say that those 16 owners are doing something wrong by not (or hardly) sharing their dolls. Can you imagine the rule "you need to post X pictures each month or else you need to sell your doll to someone who will share it with the community"?
Actually, this thread makes me wonder if I should mod this doll's eyes into dreaming/half closed eyes. I have some issues finding the right look for him and it could work as I do like dreaming heads.

 

Aaahhh! It's back, the eternal question!

It's fine to mod your doll no matter what it is, how rare it is, how many other people would love to buy it off you. The way I see it is that you bought the doll to enjoy. If modding the doll makes you love the doll more and increases your enjoyment, then go for it.

I hate hate hate hate hate the attitude that bjds are somehow community property. They aren't. The community has nothing to do with it -- an individual bought the doll, therefore the doll is theirs. Yes it means there is one less of that sculpt in it's original form, but who's to say that the owner would even choose to sell it in the future? People don't get to queue up for other people's dolls that aren't for sale.

Customization is a big part of the hobby -- these dolls are meant to be customized otherwise they wouldn't be made out of such lovely easily modded durable material and would cost a heck of a lot more. Remember everybody, these are customizable dolls not fine art pieces with great historic value and significance.

 

I will always think it is sad to see a rare doll modded. I think it's just some feeble hope that maybe one will find the doll in pristine condition for a really low price that keeps this mentality alive. In the end, Taco hit the nail on the head. The owners who mod their dolls might not even sell them ever. It's just a silly hope that they will.

Plus the mods may make the doll look better sometimes. And I certainly wouldn't be complaining then!

 

This is something I've thought about for a while, but for a slightly different
reason.

Yes, it's OK to mod your doll...even if it's a limited or very sought after.

No, it's not alright to realize you're unhappy with the mods you made and
try to sell the ruined doll for a higher price than you paid or even go as
far as to claim it to be a OOAK doll. Period.

I've seen this done. It's extremely shady and really ticks me off...sorry
IMO if you're going to alter a limited doll by changing it's appearance to
the point that it's no longer the doll you purchased then be honest about
it and unless you are an extremely talented doll artist whose work is easily
recognized/sought after, don't expect to make more money than you paid.
There are exceptions of course, and some people wouldn't mind it at all...
it all depends on the doll and what changes were made.

 

Oh, yay, another "Is it okay to xyz my doll?" thread... Whatever you ask, it's probably YES. Now, ask something like "Is it okay to bludgeon my neighbor with my MNF Shushu?" and you'll get some good responses. But until then, do whatever you want with your doll. Just kiss the resale value goodbye. :/

 

I don't think modding the head will automatically make the resell value go down, if the owner ever decides to resell it that is. You never know what someone else may want.

But in regards to the question, no, do what you want with your doll. Just because someone mods a limited head doesn't mean they loved the doll any less then someone who might not have modded the head.

 

I'm glad my thread was listed as the original instead of one of the duplications! We discussed this subject at some length, I believe, though the tone was more along the lines of modification as it pertained to respect and appreciation for the original artist's work.

That said...since its a modders reunion, I throw in my (often repeated) opinion!!!

Personally, if it was an extremely limited head, it would depend. If it were something minor, like openning the eyes a bit or softening the nose, but still left the head recognizable that's not an issue. Especially for OCs, it's hard to find that perfect sculpt that come even close to your vision. But if the mod were major, altering eyes, nose, chin, cheeks and so forth until you could say "this is X sculpt" and no one would believe you than I would probably think twice about it. Heavy mods can be done on a more common head, and being a limited I would probably feel a little bad knowing there were people out there that love and covet this sculpt just the way it is.

 

My doll does not belong to a "community" it belongs to me. If the community wanted me to preserve my doll in a certain way I wouldn't bend to their will. Sorry folks but it is MY doll. Also, I can't think of any "one of kind" molds that should be treated like a VanGogh. Even the rare dolls are duplicated.

Again and again people, a big part of this hobby is about customizing. Leave people to play with their dolls the way they like. No doll owner owes it to the community to preserve a doll for the community. If someone loved their Bermann but though his nose was a tad pointy and decided to sand it round well...that should not be a problem for the people on this board.

EXACTLY

 

I think you could also start asking rent.

 

I think it's easy to lose sight of why one likes the hobby itself and it's simply because - we enjoy it. If you're lucky enough to get a really rare sculpt then good for you! But from that moment on it is your doll. You don't like the shape of the nose? Change it. It's not the market's doll, it's yours - if you enjoy modding then mod!

 

personally i'd never be able to do it, either myself or by commission, but i wouldn't be all upset if someone did it to their own doll. it's kind of admirable, actually, to have that amount of bravery and confidence in your mods.

 

Basically agreeing with the "your property - you can do anything you want to it" stance.

If anything, I would consider modding an extremely limited doll or head unwise, rather than anything else.
Limiteds tend to be not only rare but also expensive and sought-after and by changing them, you are taking away their "rare and sought-after" status. Once modified, it is simply no longer that particular limited in pristine condition. Even if the modification done is very good, unless it´s by a big name customizer whose works can command high prices, it is likely that you will not ever get anything near what you paid for it in the first place should you decide to sell it.

Of course, if you are considering a mod like this, you can´t imagine ever wanting to sell that doll. But just browse some of the older threads here on DoA. You will find countless statements from members who once said that Doll X is their dream doll that they will never part with but now no longer own it, for just as many reasons. Tastes, interests, circumstances in life change.

So... I would only ever consider modding a limited if lots of research have shown that there´s no way my concept can be realized just as well with another, regular sculpt, and if I was absolutely set on that concept.

I do admit that sometimes, when I see on the fashion doll boards that someone has repainted a convention exclusive, only to offer the finished doll for sale, my heart bleeds a little. Even if the repaint is very well done, they would probably have achieved a similar result with another, less limited doll and there´s one less of a doll that is already very hard to find for those who would dearly love it in its original condition. It´s just so unnecessary.

 

I say, "As long as it's what you truly want, go for it."

I mean, if it's your doll, and the only thing stopping it from perfection is that one mod? Why bother having something you wish you could change right? It's YOUR doll... go ahead and do with it what you will. c:
As long as you're 100% sure I guess haha.

 

Coming back to this discussion. Of course it's okay to mod your own doll, but let's not forget that while you are allowed to do with your doll as you please (as long as it's not something illegal), people are allowed to have their own opinions, which you are allowed to ignore. I can understand the feelings of not liking or understanding a mod on a doll or feelings of sadness seeing an untouched limited disappear.

In the end it's okay to mod your doll, but people are allowed to think of it what they want.

 

I'm suddenly overcome with the overwhelming urge to buy a rare doll head and cut the face out so another doll can wear it AS A DISGUISE. As it turns out it would be absolutely alright if I did that on account of it being, you know, bought and owned by me.

Incidentally, I don't think I'm entirely joking here. I may need to do some research.

 

The real question should be, "should I care about the resale value?" because that is the bottom line unless the way you enjoy your dolls and the hobby is dictated by what other people think. If you plan to resell it, the closer it is to it's original condition the higher it's value is going to be down the road. If you decide to modify it and are confident you or someone you hire will do an excellent job then you will have a doll you can deeply enjoy.
The choice is yours.
Why even start a debate about it? Where's the debate?

 

You can do whatever you want with your own dolls, hell you could even smash it to bits in front of a crying orphan leper, that's your right as owner. Just don't expect to make any friends over it, especially if the mods are bad and/or you sell it later.

 

...actually, that sounds interesting. It's a creative idea, and a humorous kick in the pants of the fourth wall, in a sense.

 

It's absolutely okay! Making your doll your perfect dream doll is what this hobby is all about, that's why everything about them is customizable. If that includes sanding down the chin, nose, widening the eyes, adding piercings, indented scars, tattoos, horns, elf ears, dying the skin color, etc, go right ahead and do it! Try and end up with that perfect doll you imagined it to be. When it comes to modding, what the head 'was' doesn't matter. But what the head 'is' after wards does. That is the bottom line and that's what we all strive for.

 

I think it's okay in most situations... I mean, if you've acquired a super rare doll and it's "almost prefect but needs a bit of tweaking"--that's fine~ If you buy a rare doll for a character and wish to mod it for character purposes, that's fine too~

However... If you buy a rare doll, then mod it absolutely beyond recognition--Especially if, say, you're completely changing it's facial structure or something like that... I don't think that's acceptable. If you're going to make changes that make the doll completely unrecognizable, don't you think you could've bought a cheaper/different doll, and saved the rarer one for someone who loved it as-is? ( Please note... I'm not saying that scar/gore mods shouldn't be done, but more or less... If you buy the doll and say: "It's perfect, if I just cut the nose off, cave in the cheeks, remove the bottom lip, and make the brow ridges way lower!" then you you should respectful enough to pick another mold, I think. )

In the end, though... It's all just opinion. The truth of the matter is that you can do whatever you want to your dolls, but... Well, that's my feelings on the matter. >///<