Music Label actually isn't all that expensive. I got my ML Soundwave for about $67 with free shipping, which when you think about it, isn't to bad at all. And this. G1 Soundwave isn't a bad figure at all. He's just a little tall and needs knees.
I resited ML Soundwave for a long time but finally caved last year. It's a decent stand in for now. IMO none of the other Soundwave updates released are good. I'm keeping my eye on the BTS Sonicron to see how it turns out but I know Hasbro can give us a killer updated Soundwave in the Classics style sometime though. They need to get on it
If they had to reuse a CHUG mold for an updated Soundwave (with a modern alt mode), it'd most likely be Perceptor. A tape deck is probably too anachronistic for a profitable toy, G1 fan nostalgia or not.
Same here, but I'd find it hard to believe that we'll never had a cheaper mass release of one of the most iconic transformers in history, so I think we'll be alight. Until then however, there's always RTS Preceptor + painting skillz.
I agree with the Music Label recommendations, but still hope that an OFFICIAL Classics-style version is in the pipeline for next year... along with Shockwave, Hoist, the Insecticons, Brawn, Cosmos, Gears, Huffer, Skids, Trailbreaker, Springer, Blitzwing, Beachcomber & Wheelie to finish off the key character cast.
music label hands down, cybertron is mediocre at best, fiddly transformation, the legs are as skinny as a pencil, and too much kibble, i have one, but i don't like it too much
Thanks for all the feedback so far guys, very helpful. I've been keeping an eye on BTS Sonicron, and actually really like the look of the figure. He may have to do for now.
The Classics reissue of Soundblaster has been my Classics Soundwave for a long time now. He's the one and only G1 figure that I would ever consider putting in that line. He looks perfectly at home there IMHO.
war for cybertron is nice, but i really wanted the music label one and he is awesome. perfect effect makes a super rumble and frenzy to go with him.
Depends what you want - something that has an alt mode in-scale (almost) with other Classics? Go for WFC Soundwave. Something that looks closest to G1 Soundwave? Go for music label. Cost should not be a prohibitive issue if the alternative that you're considering is BST Sonicron. I still really like TFA Soundwave. Avoid if you don't like TFA stylings, though. Alternatively, why not G1 Soundwave (reissue), works well alongside, say, Classics voyager Megatron.
I don't placehold, I'm waiting for something to come out from Has/Tak. It's like people with the PCC Huffer in their Classiverse collection. In my mind, it doesn't fit, and it seems kinda silly to spend money on something to sit on your shelf solely to fill the empty space that will just be replaced by more spent money.
I've got a strange feeling that Classics Soundwave is going to have all the same problems we had with getting a deluxe sized Classic Jazz. The movies will be used as an excuse to not release a Classics Soundwave and Transformers Prime will be used as an excuse to not release a Classics Soundwave. I think we are going to have to drive someone up the wall at Hasbro before they relent and give us the toy just so we will stop asking.
I have the WFC version as my Classics Soundwave, and I think he looks decent. If you can afford it, obviously the ML is the best looking, but that's a pretty big "if" for most people. EDIT: Also, if you really care about him transforming into a boombox, don't hold your breath for a classics release. If he's ever released, he'll almost surely transform into an SUV or something...then again, if he would be disguised as a news van that would be almost as awesome as a boombox.