I just saw a photo on a different thread where all TT reissues have a Long Life Design logo on the box, like Megatron did. That will make it easier, at least for now, to tell them apart from KOs. Should not be long now until I get both cassette sets. So impatient.
That was my photo. My MP13 reissue has absolutely zero paint flaws, his faceplate is painted perfectly clean and straight all around, all joins are tight, the cassette door spring is perfect... AND, one thing I noticed: the eyes appear to be a lot brighter red than the previous two MP13 releases. It looks more akin to Masterpiece Megatron's. The original releases looked more like translucent red plastic over chrome, but the new reissue's looks more like metallic red paint. Hard to say, it might still be translucent, but it definitely looks different, and a lot better. My MP cassette reissues also have zero flaws, both paint and joints. No chrome imperfections on the chests of Rumble and Frenzy. I don't know if maybe I just got lucky? Or perhaps these new reissues were tuned up better re: quality control?
I received both my cassette sets this morning. Only a bit disappointed with Buzzsaw. His head is not completely straight. The same goes for the camera in his head, it is just a small bit to one side. When transformed to cassette, one of the wings keeps sticking out slightly. I had none of these issues with my Laserbeak. For the rest, absolutely stunning pieces. I love Rumble and Frenzy and Ravage is cool too. No paint imperfections whatsoever. Got the correct "hammer arms" too. Very happy with Soundwaves minions.
Yes, the visor is *much* more vibrant. Like a few others have reported, the area around the visor is unpainted blue. Very disappointing, especially since everything else appears to be flawless, chrome included. Is the area around your visor blue or is it painted silver? I'll try to get pics up sooner or later of my 2013 TT Soundwave's head compared to this reissue.
I think the unpainted face can be cool for a toy accurate feel but only if the visor is yellow, and not the pale yellow has to used but the fuller warmer yellow of the g1 toy. Might even consider applying sticker set for that.
Just needed a break I'm with you, Rich, but I just watched Atlantis, Arise (one of the most beautifully drawn eps in G1) for the millionth time this morning and couldn't have been happier to see that Soundwave's face was colored just like this reissue in the very first scene. Of course, it was a minor error, but it still helped calm down my ocd with this guy. I should note that the Laserbeak on my copy of this reissue was suuuuper tight in his right jetpack fin. I remember it was tight the first time around, but this one was even scarier. I managed to get it into place, but use a lot of caution and patience. This Soundwave's tolerances seem fine, on par with my '13 TT copy, but his ankles don't seem to want to put the feet at nice 90 degree angle, more like 93. It's a minor annoyance, but it leans him back a bit and looks a little off to my eye. His left leg kibble doesn't want to sit flush, either. Very minor, but it angles out slightly from his leg (I've never liked the leg design on this figure so these issues don't help). Hands are very tight except the tip of his right hand pointer finger falls off very easily. Again, the area around the visor is an unpainted blue, but they did at least eliminate the flashing on the mouth plate from the initial release.
I got one of these reissues, and here are the differences I've noticed. Mine has the unpainted blue behind the mask as well. They have definitely loosened those leg panels up, which I approve of beyond words. The lower set of hinges on each side of the leg panels no longer have those clicks but move fairly smoothly. The visor is much less reflective and transparent. Don't think I like that change. One cool change I've noticed is that the speaker parts inside of the forearms are now painted silver. None of the previous versions of this mold were painted there. Laserbeak's wings feel looser. Less clicky in the wings....which hopefully will prevent cracking. There's a tight stopping point on the chrome part of his gun that makes it difficult to pull all the way out. It may just be me but the plastic felt different to me in hand right out of the box than previous versions. Can't say if it's better or worse but it was definitely different.... It felt....maybe oily is the word I'm looking for. Hard to describe. Very tight joints overall. EDIT: Looks like I'm in the wrong thread. I think this is the thread for the Hasbro Soundwave reissue (playfully named "YellowWave" by my daughter). I was talking about the most recent Takara reissue. The one one with the Long Life Design Award logo on the box. I'll repost this there.
That's it! Speaking of which - Sam, I think you'd dig that ep if you haven't seen it Nice find on the inner arm paint!
Gotta check it out Dean! Speaking of Soundwave - I just picked up a loose Hasbro Soundwave off eBay. Turns out it's the recent reissue, which I'm pretty pleased about. A few differences between the two Hasbro Soundwaves, having owned them both: The eyes on the 2016 edition are a much lighter, shinier gold colour. 2016 has the unpainted nose ridge - looks pretty nice I must say. 2016 also has the silver painted arm-speakers like the new Takara version - a nice touch! In general the paint on the new edition seems a lot brighter and shinier than the 2013, I don't have them together to compare - this is just from memory. The red paint on the power-light is a lot brighter on the 2016. The CE logo are on the outside of the right leg on the 2016, rather than the inside of the left leg like the 2013. I have a problem with the inner cassette pushing mechanism getting stuck at the 2nd position - need to disassemble him and see what's going on there. Has anyone else ever had these issues? The silver arrow on his head crest is painted perfectly - I think that's the part I'm most pleased about! All-in-all very happy that I parted with the 2013 a while back and have replaced him with the 2016 version. If you had to choose between the two I'd definitely go with the latter. Even the chrome looks a lot shinier (gonna lather it with some future to protect it all the same). The only disappointment is the seller didn't include the hand-sensor or extra cassette door cover, would really like them. Anyone have any extras they'd be willing to sell? Now to wait for the TT cassettes to join him!
Great review.if I didn't have two already I'd get this for the unpainted mask. I like how it harkens back to the original toy.
Ahh. There can never be to much detail. Keep it up. Will you eventually do a review of the upcoming Takara reissue and compare it against the first Takara run?
I got the Hasbro re isue for my Christmas present to myself. Its great all around, though I will eventually disasemble the head to paint the eyes a deep red or even pick up a third party upgrade kit
I just got back into collecting (been a very long time). My collection has grown pretty good these past few days. I just ordered Soundwave (MP 02) today and am stoked about it after reading everyone\'s write ups
Toyahax/Reprolabels just released cell shaded options for MP Soundwave/Sounblaster. Labels for MP13 Soundwave Cel Type B Labels for MP13 Soundwave Cel Type A
this should have been posted in the 3rd party thread though. I thought resurrecting Zombie threads was frowned upon.
