Being in the UK, pre-ordering from overseas is a safer bet - we're not getting Thundercracker at all, but we are getting OP (even though TRU UK don't seem to be aware of this). Even if Hasbro pick up Soundwave, there's no guarantee of a release over here. The way things are heading, this applies to more than just MPs.  

 

Speaking only for myself....... I'm not that happy with Hasbro's track record on Masterpice decos, and based on my own location, some of that saving would be offset by shipping costs, and the possibility of having to pay off a go between.

 

I can wait - I actually have no problem with this.

My ONLY issue is not knowing if he's going to make these shores. It's not like SW's a car or plane and he's not a gun. It's this grey middle that throwing me for a loop.

 

I'm more concerned that a Hasbro release won't look as good - the Takara one looks great, and i'm not sure what can be changed without making the figure less appealing to me.

Obviously i'm assuming it'll have a different deco, all of the Hasbro MP releases have had a different paintjob so far haven't they?

 

The crazy thing is some decos are not not as good (Roddy), some are better (MP-3 Screamer), and some are just different (MP-10, Grimlock).

 

The various Primes have had basically the same deco, in slightly different shades. The current MP10 is almost exactly the same: the TT one has darker blue and brighter red, IRRC, but its not that different.

 

Yeah, that's an added factor too. You would like to think it's almost a 100%, but that uncertainty could also prompt a takara purchase. In the end it just comes down to what you think the certainty of a takara soundwave shipping to your door in a few months is worth. If your order soon, it will happen. If you wait on hasbro, you could be waiting a year, maybe 2, maybe not at all. And even if it does happen, you might have trouble locating one and have to pay secondary market prices anyway.

It just seems like a lot of legwork and waiting, so the price of TT soundwave shipped on release is worth it to me. Everyone's gotta weigh their options and see what's the most affordable/convenient thing for them.

 

At this point, I'm leaning towards picking up the TT version and then trying to sell him for close to cost if when Hasbro announces their version.

 

When I was a kid my Top 3 were like this:
1-Optimus, 2-Soundwave, 3-Megatron.

Over time the top spot has grown to be for Soundwave. Yes, Soundwave the evil robot with the cool voice. As a matter of fact, as a kid I used to pray (every night or so) so my voice would eventually sound like his. Nowadays, I think about how that would've been only possible if I had a medical need for a vocoder. Good thing that never came true, haha! But yeah, not playing any waiting games with this guy. Don't want to risk availability issues or bad paint jobs. The pics are what defines Soundwave to me.

 

True, but remember, hasbro's distribution has been spotty. People could end up with no tapes. (Or not the ones they wanted)

 

this, also deco changes, this one looks perfect, i'll get a hasbro version as well, but it'll be left in alt mode

 

Soo... not to sound negative, but there's no possible way that they can screw this up right? I just keep thinking about the disaster that was Rodimus Prime. I spent SO much money on that when I pre-ordered it and it was so flawed, it was such a disappointment. Almost to the point that made me want to SERIOUSLY consider buying anymore Masterpiece toys.

But obviously I can't say "no" to Soundwave (who could?  ) and I figure... the design is simple enough that can't screw it up right? lol

 

There's always that risk with this hobby. Doesn't matter what toy it is there's a risk. Here's the positive light to that though: think of all the MP figures we've had, Rodimus was really the only one with those kind of flaws. So if you're a gambling man the odds are in your favor.

 

I got in on preorders when they were 144, so the price is affordable for me. I only just started buying Masterpieces. I could not skip this one.

 

144!! Where?

 

Pre-order prices were lower for a while - then revised upwards when TT came out with firmer pricing.

Some lucky bastages ordered from places that didn't jack pre-orders. Others places raised pre-order prices just a little.

All non-preoder prices were raised.

 

To me its a no brainer I must have the Takara Soundwave just because he is my favorite character and I want the best representation of him.If hasbro does release it down the line here in the states thats cool with me too but im not taking a chance they may mess with his deco or no tapes or an ugly blue.

 

Doubtful TT would screw the pooch as badly with Hot Rodimus. Soundwave is as blocky and chunky as they get (in a good geewun way). The only part about him I'd worry about are the hip joints (not entirely sold on them in the sturdiness department) and perhaps the spring-loaded mechanism of his chest cavity that allows him to hold and forward deploy three cassette minions at once. There may be fragility issues in these main areas, I think.

 

^ Yeah, it seemed to me Rodimus was OVER-engineered, making some things more complicated than they really needed to be. Other than some possible QC issues I can't see how they can screw up folding a robot into a rectanglular box.

 

Just got the email from BBTS that it will include a mini megatron to hold

"Hi - We are happy to announce that Masterpiece Soundwave will also come with a Megatron in Gun Mode that he can hold. We thank you very much for your order."