Is it okay to mod a rare head?

But what if the underlying structure of the head makes it the best options for doing the mods, even if the mods make it unrecognizable as the original sculpt? What if there is some specific feature that head has that the owner doesn't want to change, but that head happens to have? I don't think respect really comes into it -- respect for whom? The doll is fine with being modded, the owner is ok with it. So who's left? The community? It's not about the community. I don't see how a mod could be deemed disrespectful. It again kind of goes back to the idea that someone else would be a more worthy owner and that really doesn't sit well with me. Just because someone would like to have the head as is, doesn't mean that they will necessarily love the doll more or be more likely to keep it in the long run.

 

If I come at this from an ethical or moral standpoint, no I can't really say that it's wrong to mod a rare head. Just because someone or a community as a whole might not like a change to a difficult to attain sculpt does not make it wrong. If a person has purchased that sculpt, it is theirs and no one has the right to tell them what they can or cannot do with it. Even if the owner winds up accidentally destroying it beyond means of repair, it's still not wrong. It is that person's choice, and if they are okay with it than what else is there?

In the eyes of some, these dolls are priceless works of art, to the eyes of others they are absolutely meant for customization and to be played with. Ultimately it really just comes down to a difference in opinion in what is right and wrong to do with your own belongings in my mind.

 

I think doll owners worry WAY to much about what the "community" thinks of them, it's not a moral question. You spent $500+ on a doll so I think you've earned to do WHATEVER you want to any doll you own. The end.

 

Like a lot of others have said, I think it's okay to mod rare sculpts--but certainly not for practice, and only as a necessity. If there are extensive mods you want to make, it might be better or easier to find a more common head. But really, it is the owner's doll, and they have the right to do what they want with it.

 

If I buy a rare head and decide I want to mod it, I'll go right ahead and do it - and I don't give two farts as to anyone else's opinion on the matter, because it's not their doll.

In fact, posts like this make me want to go out and find a rare head, wipe its oh-so-precious default face-up, and get right to work with my Dremel. It wouldn't be the first time I've modded a limited doll, and I doubt it'll be the last either.

If someone owns a rare doll, what they do with it is no-one else's business - least of all "the community". It doesn't matter if you think it's wrong and they shouldn't do it - that is merely your opinion and that does not make you right. In fact it makes you completely and utterly wrong, because it's their doll and they have the right to do whatever the hell they want to it.

 

Putting aside for a moment the issue that people are free to do as they like with their own property, and acknowledging the fact that obviously nobody can physically stop them from doing as they like...

I think if you know what you're doing, or you're commissioning someone very talented, then modding a head is fine regardless of rarity and could even improve on the original. However, if somebody is inexperienced or simply not all that talented at modding, I would on a personal level consider it to be a real shame and a great waste to use a rare head. I realise it's none of my business, but I'd still be pretty aghast to see someone badly mod or wreck something, especially if it's rare.

 

That's kind of like asking if it's okay to send a rare head off for a face up, or if it's okay for someone clumsy to own that head. If they mail it off, it could get lost or destroyed in the mail somehow. If they're clumsy, they could drop it and break it.

Just because a doll is rare does not mean that whoever owns it shouldn't enjoy it. Sure, it might be an incredible, gorgeous sculpt, but it's not the owner's fault that it's in such limited supply and no one should try to control what they do with something they paid for. As painful as it is, even if they want to take a sharpie to it, or dunk it in acid, that's their call. Hell, they can throw on the ground and stomp on the pieces. It's theirs.

What annoys me more is that companies feel so inclined to make only one or just a few copies of a certain sculpt just so they can charge a lot for it because of its rarity. I don't mind that with fullsets of an existing, easy to get sculpt, but when it's all for a quick buck, it's annoying. At least to me. But again, that's the company's choice, not mine.

 

Ask not what you can do for your doll, but what your doll can do for you.

The whole idea of modding rare/limiteds has been done to death way before this thread was started. If you have a limited head, and you look at it and go: "It's okay, but - " Then the 'but' is what is important here. It's your doll. If you're not getting full enjoyment out of it, either mod it so you do, or sell it and buy something that will make you happy.

There are no worthier or less worthy owners for a particular doll. There is one owner who had the luck and the funds to purchase a particular doll at a particular time in the hobby. There may be a huge line of unfortunates who came along behind them and were unlucky, but tbh, they were unlucky. That's all.

It doesn't matter if the limited was a Volks OOAK that farts magic pixie dust on command and has custom faceup made out of gold leafing and diamond inlay. If someone bought it just to chuck it in a fire and salvage the remains, that's their perogative. While the community might find it affronting, the owner probably won't care what a bunch of people on the internet think about what they did. Or they did. And they're just the worlds most epic uber troll.

(Yeah, I did kind of take the example to the ultimate extreme there, but the point still stands strong, I say!)

 

I really really don't see why it would be a problem. If you as the owner feel that the original would be lost and that would be a shame, then don't mod it. But it's NOT up to the community to tell you what is and isn't okay for you to do with your property. I'm lucky enough to own one of those rare dolls of which you speak, and frankly, I'd mod the heck out of him if I felt so inclined. It honestly doesn't matter if a bunch of other people would like to bemoan the fact that you've changed the sculpt- it is yours to do with as you see fit- they can pretty much 'go hang' if you will, on that score.

Just wanted to add that the same goes for limited face-ups. I hate getting my dolls pre-face-upped, and I have had the experience of wiping special face-ups before (one that was in fact, limited and another that was done by a very talented artist, but wasn't my style.) Frankly, I went at it with a gusto. For me at least, this hobby is all about personalization, and if even the smallest thing could be done to make a doll fit a character that it's owner has in mind, then I say go for it and everyone else can mind their nose.

 

I agree with Musical Bunny. Why must some companies insist on making limited molds? Are they trying to appeal to those extremists who would buy nothing BUT limited molds (for some psychological reason or another)? Is it for the money? But then the 2nd hand market profits more than they do. So why? I feel very wtf everytime they do this, but they keep on doing it.

Also, I'm so amused by every other westernized members who go "Screw the community" because they live in a very individualistic society. It is as though it has become a right or a virtue in not caring about others when it comes to something they want to do. And their main defense is "I paid for it". And then they feel awesome about what they do because it reaffirms their non-confirmity to the rest of the world just like everyone else.

That said, if you want to mod a rare head, it really is up to you. Just know that some people in the hobby could/would be severely upset with you, and how you deal with it is entirely up to your own personality. Some people care more about other people's thoughts than others do. Don't let the community (the people who said "screw the community" are also a small community in their own right) decide for you if you care or not. In the end you have to contend with your own decisions.

 

I too am getting sick of these "is it okay" threads.

It's YOUR doll. I would advise a lot of research, and if you plan to do the mods yourself, the purchase of a cheaper head to practice on. OR send it out. I would think about the market value and if you plan to ever resell.

BUT IT'S YOUR DOLL. IT'S OKAY.

 

I own no limiteds, though I have a grail doll that is one, but.... If you bought it, and you can do it, have at it. And while you're at it... Can I watch? :>

Honestly, I watch a lot of threads in the customizing forum, and I see some fabulous work going down in there, that I just don't have the skills for, and if they got hold of a limited head and did something amazing too it, well, now it's even more amazing and wow they're good at what they do. However, if someone buys said limited head and says "I want to run it over with my truck" Well.... Okay. What are you going to do with it after that? Perhaps that's part of the plan, to piece it back together (providing of course that they aren't just pitching it after that and nothing's powderized that can't be replaced with apoxie) and do a mod with the new 'broken' lines.

Sounds like fun anyone got a head like that? I'll play with it. ^-^

Its entirely up to the owner. The community did not pool together and purchase this doll for display purposes or protection, an individual did, and what happens after that is not everyone elses concern. Yes, I would be sad, or perhaps shocked, but after you get over it, what can be done NOW with the parts?

IT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU. Leave the poor mod-folk alone. If they weren't meant to be modded, the dolls wouldn't have started as a 'model building kit' like they did.

*steps down to let someone else have the soapbox, and to find a crushed head to toy with*

 

hyschara: I'm going to politely disagree here that a "Westernized" member's mind frame is to try and be "awesome and reaffirm their non-conformity to the rest of the world" by modding a rare head. It's true...many of us aren't going to sit around and worry about faceless screen names on the internet that might take offense to modding a rare doll head. I have done so, and I'm not trying to be 'awesome' or a rebel with "SCREW THE COMMUNITY!" as my motto..... I just could honestly care less if someone gets angry because I'm enjoying my doll and wanted to do something different with an already unique sculpt. I don't see how "I paid for it" is a defense, like somehow this notion that paying for something still doesn't make it yours. I wish people...no matter where they come from understand that no one will enjoy this hobby exactly as they do. Period.

Also, just to point out that some of the most well renowned BJD modifaction artist's in this hobby aren't even here in the US [which admittedly when someone throws out 'westerized members' I feel is directed mostly to the US]. I've seen artist's all over China, Japan and Korea that modify limited sought after heads and no one gives them crap. Hell I've seen those heads sell for more than the original sculpt did. Also on the flipside, I'm sure there are many people who are from a "westernized" society that are in a total collector mind frame and wouldn't dream of modifying any rare limited they managed to acquire. So I don't see how this is just a 'western' thing. I see this more as an individual preference.

To close, if you are against modding a rare heads that's fine! I don't care if you keep that one of a kind doll in a dark box somewhere in your room to preserve it. It's your opinion and I respect that....I just don't like the notion that because I'm a 'western' member and plan to mod a rare head that I'm uncaring of others and flippin' the bird to the community. :/ Far from it, I love the doll community (most of the time LOL) and just want to enjoy my dolls and make my collection special to me.

 

I love restoration jobs. I can see when someone has put a lot of love, care and work into modifying a head and not just drill a hole here and slap paint on the head.

I love all my dolls, ABJD or not. I guess my tastes are different but I do not have a problem with what someone does with their doll.
While it makes me sad to see poor mod work on a doll that is rare and hard to find, I do think they have guts to try something new on their doll. I've seen plenty of lovely restoration jobs done to a poorly/unfinished rare head.

So... I am mixed with this. Like I said... I love to see someone take a damaged doll and restore it into something beautiful. It shows how much work and love the person has for something that might have been thrown out.

 

People who like LEs aren't extremists -- they just like LEs. Some people enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Uh, no. I care about others. A lot of people care about others. But you also have to look at the actual issue at hand here -- we aren't talking about homelessness, access to an education, keeping neighborhoods safe, or even being polite to the people we meet everyday. This issue is about an individual's doll. Don't get me wrong, I love my bjds, appreciate their artistry and think they're pretty damned special. However, they are luxury items made for people to enjoy, they aren't something that people need. Please try to keep things in perspective. And yes, if someone pays for a doll, then that doll does belong to them. It's not on loan, not a rental, it is the property of that one individual person. Therefore it is up to that person to decide what should be done with it. If people are that upset about what someone does with their own doll, then maybe they need to examine their own reaction rather than getting angry at the owner for disrespecting the community. I am a member of this community too, and I do not find anything wrong with people modding their dolls. Part of having respect for the community, is allowing it's members to live their lives and conduct their affairs without having people constantly interfering with what in the grand scheme of things is really rather trivial.

I'm not sure where you're getting the non-conformity thing from. I thing you're operating on some pretty big assumptions. This is a very creative hobby where 'making your doll your own' and customizing play a huge part. Therefore it stands to reason that many people will alter their dolls to fit their own ideas. It's not a rebellious thing, or a Western vs Eastern thing (as far as I know plenty of Asian owners mod their dolls too) or about lashing out, or screwing the community -- it's about enjoying our dolls as we see fit and being creative with them.

People who are saying 'do what you want, it's not about the community' are not pushing anybody to mod anything they don't want to mod. The point is that it's the owner's decision. Again, it's not about being uncaring, it's that some areas in life don't involve the rest of the community. Plus, 'the community' is not a monolithic thing with only one or even two opinions, so whose thoughts are we supposed to be following? Who's sensibilities are we trying not to offend? Whose decision is it? Clearly the owner -- which you stated yourself -- therefore, this has nothing to do with the community and everything to do with the owner.

 

So, it really is perfectly normal and OK -- but it's funny to see the 'westernized members' say so because of some cultural fashion. I guess, by the same token, it's 'amusing' to see the bashing of westernized members/culture because that is also considered 'fashionable' in certain parts of the world. Oh, wait, I wasn't supposed to point THAT out, was I?

 

err actually this community is based off customization not uniformity. Volks is motto is "We seek creativity." Rio, the original headmold, was based off a modded Nono. Granted it wasn't a limited, but you get the idea. And last time I checked Volks is a Japanese company. It isn't non-conformity to do what you want with a doll that was meant to be customized. It might be a little of that bit of that to ask if it's okay, but I actually look at that as someone asking if they thought they would lose the complete value of the doll. I don't think it's non-conformity to want an original and unique doll *but* rather it's more of wanting something special. Something that others would say, "I want that." I mean that's the whole reason of having limited dolls in the first place, isn't it? Something unique. And most limiteds are like 100 or less dolls per mold. Again these rare or limited dolls are created mostly by Eastern companies, not Western companies.

How terribly non-conformist of you to say >->

 

Yes, this isn't just about "Screw[ing] the community". As Taco pointed out these are luxury items that no one needs and as such what people do with them is their business as no one's quality of life will suffer. Someone modding a rare head isn't going to affect whether or not someone else gets enough food, water, or shelter, something we all need. We're not talking about some deep social issue here. The two really are different. So yes when it comes to things that I buy, especially luxury items then I do have a right to do with them as I see fit, barring it's not something legally wrong. And I highly doubt this is just a "Westernize" thing.


And as an aside I find it funny we're suppose to be the non-conformist, yet most of the replies seem to along the same lines of do what you want, it's your doll, what a way to non-conform in such a conformist manner. Perhaps we're all doing something wrong. Oh the irony.

 

I totally agree with many members here that the doll, whether limited or whatever, belongs to that owner for he/she to do with it as they like. With that being said; what I don't understand is: Why would you even adopt a limited or a particular head - if you were not that crazy about the sculpt to begin with? If you are extremely talented, as I know many are, then of course by all means - green light that puppy all the way and modify to your heart's content. However, if you are new to modifications and customizing in any way - I think it would be wise to consider using a more common sculpt - one that is easy to replace. Just another opinion to throw out there.

 

I have a question, something I keep seeing come up in the thread.... Why is it suddenly assumed that the person modding the nebulous limited head must automatically be a modding neophyte? Most far as I can tell (and I spend a lot of lurk time in the Customizing forum) the new folk are the ones who are terrified of messing up just a regular head, they wouldn't even imagine taking something limited and rare and having at it's poor face.

I think it would be more likely to assume that the modder would be someone with experience in moddifying said nebulous limited head, since they would be more likely to pick one up and go "Oh, I could do such THINGS with you~! *insert mad laughter here*" rather than someone new who would be holding it at arms length going "OMG ITS SO PRETTY NOTHING SHALL EVER HAPPEN TO YOU MY DARLING! *serious over dramatization GET*" Don't you think?