Should limiteds or oneoffs be modified or split into pieces?

That's true, in 10 or 20 years all BJDs could be hideously yellow and the older resin or certain types of resin may be crumbling apart for all we know. I'm sure everyone has seen how some dolls can turn yellow (or green : P) in a few months or after only one day of exposure to the sun, and how faceups can chip, fade, even melt away. There really isn't any way to tell how long these dolls will last, some older toys have suffered all sorts of weird changes in the material, causing staining, spots of fungus or mildew, plastics and rubbers decaying into sticky messes or drying out into a brittle and crumbly state...

So yeah, people really should enjoy their dolls now, and not be TOO concerned for the future. Also, people lose interest in hobbies and collections, so ten years from now the BJD "craze" may have died out and dolls may be impossible to sell for their original value or impossible to sell because so few are interested any more (I'm sure we all remember beanie babies right? XD). It can be comforting, with the amount that some dolls cost, to think that they will be worth as much as you paid for them (or even more!) and so it's an investment, and if you ever are in desperate need you can get your money back, etc etc. But do you expect to be able to resell your clothing for as much as you paid for it, or a car or anything else? Of course not, everything else loses value once it is in second-hand condition, so why all the worry about reducing the value of BJDs?

I can understand why some people are upset about the idea of modding, splitting, etc. But I do think the comparisons to centuries-old works of art are a little bit out of proportion.

 

It's painful to watch the delicious fullsets get split up, limiteds get decapitated, one-offs get repainted, and special versions get modded. But at the end of the day, it's yours to do what you want with it. Of course, everybody says they NEVER intend to sell their dollies... but then... in six months, you see that modded VampShiwoo head on the market because his owner found a better sculpt to fit that character, or you see the hard-to-find Yukinojo outfit sold to somebody who alters it to fit their SD10 Girl, or you find an Elf Ducan with his claws filed off.... *sigh* It hurts, but it's not my business, it's someone else's doll's business. So there you go.

People who modify things that are extremely rare, they usually have good reason to do it, because that fantastic face just doesn't match what they have in mind... or the face is right, but Volks's special one-off makeup is just all wrong... or whatever. I suppose it doesn't matter HOW good the person's reason is. But for some reason, it does matter. If I saw somebody cavalierly sand off an Isao's face just for fun, to try their hand at modding or faceups for the first time-- I would scream bloody murder and throw a cheap Dollzone head at them. "HERE! START SMALL, FOR CHRISSAKES!"

I'm in this camp too! Damned if my Isaos will ever wear their Rosewood eyes again, my Yukinojo won't even look at his warmup-suit, and my Tsukasa refuses to wear his sneakers, but I just can't bring myself to split up those fullset accessories. And I'm also one of those who says they'll never sell... But if I ever do, in some bizarre future, I like to think I'm sending these rare dolls back out into the world the same way they got here. Resale value or no resale value, I am a sentimental twit.

(I confess, though: I am a onetime offender myself. I sold my Tan Lion's default wig and suit right away, busted up his fullset, kept only the doll & his earrings. *hangs head* I sold the wig & suit to people who were raving-mad about them, and whose dolls really craved them. Both items look 100% happier on the dolls who own them now. So, sometimes, it may be a matter of sending each item where it needs/wants to go. I can see both sides of the issue!)

 

mmm i think one offs should not be modified because to me its more like purchasing that one piece of art from someone,,, like why paint over a painting,,, i dunno...

i guess its ok to dress it differently but I dont think the clothes should be split from it or makeup modified..

as for limited i dont see what the problem w/ modding them is,,,, the point of limited is just the head mold, and its AMAZING to see what ppl can do w/ these diff heads :O

theres my 2 cents XD

 

It actually really upsets me when people modify, split up, or really do anything to a limited/one off. For me, I would buy a limited because EVERYTHING about the doll appeals to me-the mold, the outfit, the faceup- and that's what makes it special.
Especially with limited, say, Els or Shiwoos, it seems pointless (to me) to get one with the idea to customise it- when you could just get a basic and do the same. Obviously, it's up to whoever owns the doll, but..

I have an LE Shiwoo, and though he never wears his default outfit (hell, I don't think he's ever even worn the entire thing at once before), but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it, especially since it was one of the main things that drew me to the doll- it just doesn't fit the character.

 

Honestly I think the idea of anyone else chosing for me what I should do with my doll is ridiculous. If I had a one off would I change it? No because it's one of a kind. But would it be my right to? Yup.

As for LE dolls... well I have a modded Elf Yder and a modded Woosoo so obviously I'm all for modding them.

I guess I just don't see how it's anyone's right to tell anyone else what they should and should not be able to do with their doll.

 

I don't have a doll as yet. I'm still waiting on my first, and at this point I don't think I would mod my dolls, but once I have more confidence in what can be done, I would probably consider it. After all the dolls are very costly and I think the owner should have the rightr to do what they want with their own doll. I think I might be inclinded to keep the original wig and clothes etc. in case I should ever decide to sell in the future.

 

It's your doll, do with it what you will. Just don't be surprised if the value falls should you choose to modify or split.

I think rather than paintings a better comparison to BJD (at least with my relationship with mine) would be architecture.

It's normal for architecture to be 'modernized' and/or altered to better fit the needs and vision of the owner. Architecture is something that is physically touched...most often experienced in a much different way than as a mere object on a wall.

And heck, even well-known paintings have been altered over time and different ownership by, say, physically cutting the canvas to fit a new frame.

Judge not lest ye be judged, I suppose...no one else's opinion would ever stop me from helping one of my dolls to better fit my vision.

But then, I'm not a "collector" per se, so maybe that's where the defining line in the sand that I'm seeing in this thread is?

 

It could be argued that once the money is paid the owner should be able to do anything with it. I think this is a valid point, but I don't understand the purpose of purchasing the doll in the first place if something needs to be changed. Why not let someone who truly loves it "as is" have the opportunity to buy it and wait for your dream doll to come along? Or even have someone sculpt your dream doll for you? Or alter a standard edition doll to be exactly what you want? BJD's are so versatile and there are so many talented sculptors out there it really makes me question why people want to buy dolls that are less than perfect for them regardless of resale value. The possibilities are truly endless. Which brings me to my next point... is there such a thing as keeping a BJD "as is"? Should there be?

I'm a newbie. I bought my first doll a week or so ago and LOVE her. She is perfection, but I do plan on changing wigs, eyes, sanding a bit, adding suede to some parts of her and truly playing and enjoying her. I also plan on not only buying, but also creating outfits for her. This is why I decided to collect BJD's. I have other artist dolls I keep "as is". My BJD's, however, do not serve this purpose. I also don't have any plans to get a "limited" or OOAK or "One-of". Tbh, I couldn't be bothered going through the hassle. For me, doll-collecting should be fun, and the status attached to some dolls is more annoying that enjoyable for me, but I find hype a huge turn-off.

So, in the end, I would never consider a true OOAK or One-of for my collection, but I think this means something different to me. In your mind, what exactly is a OOAK or One-of?

To me, this means that every piece of the doll is a true One-of. The wig. The sculpt. The eyes. The body. The hands. The feet. Everything. If it isn't, it's not a true One-of imho, and it doesn't deserve that title. Also, an outfit doesn't make a doll a One-of. It makes an outfit a One-of which is a completely other kettle of fish.

I'm honestly not sure a One-of exists in BJD-land, but I'm new at this. From what I have observed, however, sculpts, wigs, bodies, hands and feet are generally sold as seperates on many sites. So, even if the doll is a limited someone could create a similar looking doll with a custom face-up. Who cares if one of the original line is altered if anyone could build the doll? Or walk into a Volks store and request the same FCS? These aren't true One-of's. This is an illusion of a One-of, but technically, it's not imho.

A true One-of would be incredibly special, unique and impossible to find anywhere else. It would be hand sculpted and only one of everything would be in creation with the original molds destroyed. I highly doubt this would ever happen and if it did, I'd need to see those original molds in pieces - call me a cynic.

A OOAK or a true One-of seems to be a BJD ideal for the very elite BJD collector since I'm of the impression anyone could piece together almost any doll with enough money and patience in today's maintstream resin BJD world*. Wave enough green stuff and someone will bite eventually.

*Porcelain or bisque porcelain BJD's interpret the BJD form differently and aren't the same type of doll as the resin imho. They are much more fragile. These are indeed available as true One-of's.

 

elphsnt- I think the only dolls that would qualify as this kind of one-off would be a Mini Mee if there were ever a fullset version made. MiniMees are sculpted to match photos and I believe only two of each head are made (one sleeping?) and only for the person who originally requested the doll. However, they are only available as heads, as far as I know.

Most "one off" dolls are, as you've said, more a one off outfit and faceup than anything else. The dolls, even if limited, are usually sculpts available in a wider release version, and I don't think any one-offs have modded heads or molds... though I don't know for sure.

 

I haven't had any experience with the issue, but for me it does seem that it depends on what brings you more joy concerning the doll. If you change a few things and you find the doll is better that way (and you finally have a beautiful dream doll you've been wanting) then I think you can change them without concern.

However, if you look at the value of a doll and bought it for the actual value then I think it shouldn't be changed.

It just depends on what you want, and who you are, in my humble opinion. Whatever makes you happy in the end.

 

I think that as far as modifications go, it might be better to go ahead, modify carefully, and be able to have your dream doll than to keep the doll as it is and not love it as much as if you'd made it your own through resin modification or faceup changes. It's still unique and one of a kind--but, really, it is also true that everyone's dolls, through changes in wigs, clothing, shoes, faceups, and bodies, are one of a kind dolls. They all have a special meaning and personality that their adopted 'parents' give to them. That's why people pay so much for these dolls--because you can give shape to your unique dream character through them, and this ability is invaluable. So therefore, while these modifications would decrease the value of a limited or one-off to some, they might increase the value of the same doll to someone who might've thought about doing this mod themselves, or who is willing to look at the doll in a different way than it was originally presented. This person who loves the modified doll may then look at the modification as something that adds instead of detracts from value--especially if the modification is done well. In this way, the doll does not really 'decrease' in either sentimental or monetary value.

From an unbaised point of view, the same could be said about splitting. The change of parts on a limited or one-off, or the addition of a limited or one-off's part to a standard doll makes it special and one of a kind, and may enhance the meaning to the owner. However, personally, I dislike splitting very much, due to the fact that it just seems wrong to me to split up parts of such a beautiful creation. I feel as if you can always learn to love a mod, or a different faceup on your dream limited or one-off, but that it's harder to accept that the doll isn't as 'whole' as it had been orignally. As far as its monetary value, I think that it tends to decrease more for a splitted doll than for a modified doll; however, I can't entirely prove this, because I've seen heads on the marketplace that sell for upwards of $400.

 

I was just thinking.... I don't know if this has been mentioned already but...

If you buy the head of an LE doll and put it on a different body, do you still consider it as having that specific doll, or does it make it different since its not on the original body?

I know a lot of people take regular heads and switch the bodies around, and they're sometimes just called "xx" because they have that face, and the body doesn't matter, so I was just wondering if you think it would be the same case for LE's too?

 

I think it really depends on the doll, and the owner. If the doll is improved by the change, well yes it can be amazing, especially if the doll is a limited sculpt. People may have their own ideas about what is the best faceup and or costume for the character they wish to portray. When the doll is not enhanced by this process it truly makes me wonder--why??

 

Personally I wouldn't do it, If something is ooak then its an art piece to be left as is.

But, once a person purchases something they can do whatever they want with it. Destroy art, waste money, anything. It might be painful to watch but as a second hand viewer we really don't have a say as to what they want to do with their property other then wince.
It does bring to mind the destryoymyipod and destroymyps3 type of sites. Someone has what you want and its their prerogative to destroy it if they want.
on the plus side i don't think anyone does that to bjds maliciously yet just out of an interest to make something their own, or a belief they can improve on an original or maybe they know how hard a ooak is to g=find and don't mind sharing their good luck so they split the ooak between several people. Oh, and also, maybe they cant afford the whole ooak and only wanted one part so they buy it and sell what they don't want.

 

Well I believe a person has the right to do whatever it is they want with their property. If its a limited that there were plenty sold of (like all the nanuri heads running around), I think it would be fine to modify it, but something very rare and very limited then woah yeah that kind of is shocking, especially when you see it on the marketplace. Hmm while people are allowed to do whatever it is they want with their dolls from a whole selling pov it does aggravate me to find split pieces on the marketplace when I'm looking for a full set. I've had to pass up heads or limited dolls that didn't have their full set just for that reason. It kind of shocks me a very awesome full/limited set is split up and I can't get the full thing. The head, hands, clothes, body all sold and split up, and where someone like me would have paid a lot for the full doll and set. ^^; So I think for that to happen, the seller looses a lot of money cause there are those out there like me who want the full set, unmodded and are saving up a lot to get that.

I was lucky to have found my Aida fullset. So to me it takes away from their value if a limited set is split up and sold, and I won't touch that at all or pay the same price the person with the full set is asking. I guess some people are different but I'll pass up a head if its not on the original body. I'm just picky like that.

Now I do plan on getting my Aida another body soon cause his knees bug me, but I will never sell his original body. That just seems...horrible to me. ^^;

 

I do not think that a LE or one-off should be modded. There is a beauty to it's known originality and I think that modifying it is a total waste. (And admit it, we've seen some sad, sad modifications of beautiful dolls here.)

In regards to splitting a LE or one-off, that's just total desecration. Although I have seen absolutely gorgeous dolls that have been created from bits and pieces of LE/one-off parts (and part of me is tempted for such a Frankensteinish attempt), it makes me sad to think that there is one less LE in existence. Or worst, that a one-off totally ceases to exist.

 

I dunno. I bought an Lati Oracle M for his little elf ears. I'm thinking about sanding the nose. To me, it doesn't make sense to buy the standard edition and get someone to mod on elf ears and sand the nose when Lati was already offering one with nice elf ears. 'Specially since I like the face so much, so it would be hard to show off the modded elf ears and not have them look... well, modded!

 

I for one am for it! It's your doll and if people only sold the whole doll with everything, I might have to save up for months to get my second dream doll and I'm darn close to being able to afford his head! *crosses fingers*

 

I guess I am one of those people that would NEVER touch a limited doll, heaven for bid I change the eyes or wig, which I have done with my cyber shiwoo,
but it took me the longest time to do so! (Just this month and I have had him sense july) My tanpopo and elf aida... no way I am touching them.

I buy them because I love them how they are, so why mod it? I keep everything to gether, box papers, extras. For if I ever wanted to sell it later,
then I could sell it as a complete set. ^_^