In-Hand Images Encore Twincast with Stripes & Nightstalker and Soundblaster Enemy & Wing Thing

Please explain the tiny robot stickers on the cassettes. Why do the Takara cassettes have those? what's the significance?

I'm digging the cassettes, though not enough to buy these encore figures just to get them. This would have been an easy sell if not for the fact that reissue/e-hobby versions already came out a few years ago, but a fun lot of repaints all the way around.

What is it about those backs of boxes box-art that just drives me insane. Its so freaking awesome. Its like something you'd find on the cover of a really trippy old-school heavy metal band.

Is there a reason why Soundblaster's volume dial is missing ???

And whats up with those stupid looking pink robot stickers on the cassettes ??? They look aweful and cover the proper image of the "tape reels" that should be on the center of each cassette ??? There better be tape reels underneath them because I am seriously considering taking that pink s**t off...

Nice...I kinda want the cassettes more than the decks, actually, but I'm a sucker for new canon G1 characters.

...I've actually been using Cybertron Sideways as my repurposed "Neo-G1" Wingthing. Makes sense, Ratbat is a redeco of him, and he's the same colors as the Action Master beastie after all.

Kind of want Soundblaster just for his tapes...but with everyone saying we'll see a Masterpiece Soundwave (that may end up with new takes on the tapes as is) and we know Fans Toys is apparently still working on their Soundwave with custom tapes of its own...hrm.

On the flipside, I'm okay with Twincast since I'm not after his other tapes in any form.

Rated X wrote:Is there a reason why Soundblaster's volume dial is missing ???

And whats up with those stupid looking pink robot stickers on the cassettes ??? They look aweful and cover the proper image of the "tape reels" that should be on the center of each cassette ??? There better be tape reels underneath them because I am seriously considering taking that pink s**t off...

Those "stupid looking pink robot stickers" are the stickers that came on Buzzsaw and Steeljaw when they came with the original versions of Soundblaster and Twincast way back in 1987. The reissues have followed suit I believe on all of the cassettes that have come with them if I recall correctly. The "robots" are Fortress Maximus and Scorponok if you look closely. When you insert the cassettes into the chests of Soundblaster or Twincast, it reveals the weakspots (acting in a similar fashion to the tech spec decoders. It's actually pretty cool, and awesome, that they have continued on with this tradition.

Can't wait to get my hands on those cassettes!

Actually come to think of it just why is Soundblaster's volume dial missing? Is this isolated to a QC mishap or did they intentionally forget about a large open hole on the side of the thing?

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Is there a reason why Soundblaster's volume dial is missing ???

And whats up with those stupid looking pink robot stickers on the cassettes ??? They look aweful and cover the proper image of the "tape reels" that should be on the center of each cassette ??? There better be tape reels underneath them because I am seriously considering taking that pink s**t off...

Those "stupid looking pink robot stickers" are the stickers that came on Buzzsaw and Steeljaw when they came with the original versions of Soundblaster and Twincast way back in 1987. The reissues have followed suit I believe on all of the cassettes that have come with them if I recall correctly. The "robots" are Fortress Maximus and Scorponok if you look closely. When you insert the cassettes into the chests of Soundblaster or Twincast, it reveals the weakspots (acting in a similar fashion to the tech spec decoders. It's actually pretty cool, and awesome, that they have continued on with this tradition.

And here I was with my book reissue Ravage wondering why the bloody hell he's got Fort Max on his side. I'm totally checking this out asap.

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Is there a reason why Soundblaster's volume dial is missing ???

And whats up with those stupid looking pink robot stickers on the cassettes ??? They look aweful and cover the proper image of the "tape reels" that should be on the center of each cassette ??? There better be tape reels underneath them because I am seriously considering taking that pink s**t off...

Those "stupid looking pink robot stickers" are the stickers that came on Buzzsaw and Steeljaw when they came with the original versions of Soundblaster and Twincast way back in 1987. The reissues have followed suit I believe on all of the cassettes that have come with them if I recall correctly. The "robots" are Fortress Maximus and Scorponok if you look closely. When you insert the cassettes into the chests of Soundblaster or Twincast, it reveals the weakspots (acting in a similar fashion to the tech spec decoders. It's actually pretty cool, and awesome, that they have continued on with this tradition.

Interesting, I didnt know that. Sounds cool, Ill give it a shot. But it doesnt help the cassette modes very much I must admit. Also, why did they take away the volume dial on his side and leave an empty slot ??? For $70 I didnt expect them to get lazy...

Tomy also changed Twincast's chest chamber mold.....he no longer has that circuit board like pattern. Was the old mold from the E-hobby release lost already?

And either it's a quality control issue, aside from the onus to get the new cassettes, Soundblaster is even worst!

No volume dial or on and off switch............wtf?! At the price range they charge, they had to cut off those parts? Please, let this be a QC issue and not a general trend........hopefully this does not happen to Sixshot!

And the new paint apps on his visor, why'd they have to smudge the silver all over until his red optics? Tomy...........what were you thinking?

Though it seems to be a mixed bag with the decal to stamp graphed shift. Look at his shins, the "blue strip" that initially encircled the entire part is now just relegate to a small spot.

It may have been providence that Soundblaster got sold out from my primary Japanese source........no regrets in missing the boat. If a second release will be contemplated I'll consider getting one.

For now, my TFC and E-hobby versions are more than enough.

fenrir72 wrote:Tomy also changed Twincast's chest chamber mold.....he no longer has that circuit board like pattern. Was the old mold from the E-hobby release lost already?

And either it's a quality control issue, aside from the onus to get the new cassettes, Soundblaster is even worst!

No volume dial or on and off switch............wtf?! At the price range they charge, they had to cut off those parts? Please, let this be a QC issue and not a general trend........hopefully this does not happen to Sixshot!

And the new paint apps on his visor, why'd they have to smudge the silver all over until his red optics? Tomy...........what were you thinking?

Though it seems to be a mixed bag with the decal to stamp graphed shift. Look at his shins, the "blue strip" that initially encircled the entire part is now just relegate to a small spot.

It may have been providence that Soundblaster got sold out from my primary Japanese source........no regrets in missing the boat. If a second release will be contemplated I'll consider getting one.

For now, my TFC and E-hobby versions are more than enough.

Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

Rated X wrote:Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

No need to do that. Just go buy some lighter fluid (i.e. Zippo), pour a little on the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and it loosens up the sticker's adhesive enough so that the sticker easily peels off (which you need to very carefully do to avoid ripping the sticker). Lighter fluid evaporates very quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to the figure or sticker. Once you've done what you need to do, you just re-apply the sticker. Works like a charm. Been doing this for over a year now.

This technique also works on those extremely annoying price tags without causing any damage to the box. Some times it looks like the lighter fluid might have stained the box, but it goes away in a few minutes after it dries. Works on vintage stuff as well as new toys. Just be careful!

The only reason to buy these guys is for the cassettes. Personally, I don't like the new paint apps and I've already got their previous reissues so I'm probably going to pass on these.

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

No need to do that. Just go buy some lighter fluid (i.e. Zippo), pour a little on the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and it loosens up the sticker's adhesive enough so that the sticker easily peels off (which you need to very carefully do to avoid ripping the sticker). Lighter fluid evaporates very quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to the figure or sticker. Once you've done what you need to do, you just re-apply the sticker. Works like a charm. Been doing this for over a year now.

This technique also works on those extremely annoying price tags without causing any damage to the box. Some times it looks like the lighter fluid might have stained the box, but it goes away in a few minutes after it dries. Works on vintage stuff as well as new toys. Just be careful!

awesome tip!

already have a junker Soundwave here all i need is a cheap 50cent lighter

horus wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

No need to do that. Just go buy some lighter fluid (i.e. Zippo), pour a little on the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and it loosens up the sticker's adhesive enough so that the sticker easily peels off (which you need to very carefully do to avoid ripping the sticker). Lighter fluid evaporates very quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to the figure or sticker. Once you've done what you need to do, you just re-apply the sticker. Works like a charm. Been doing this for over a year now.

This technique also works on those extremely annoying price tags without causing any damage to the box. Some times it looks like the lighter fluid might have stained the box, but it goes away in a few minutes after it dries. Works on vintage stuff as well as new toys. Just be careful!

awesome tip!

already have a junker Soundwave here all i need is a cheap 50cent lighter

You're better off with buying a bottle/can of Zippo Lighter fluid at a tobacco store. Should cost $2.50 to $5.00. That way you can reuse it over and over again.

it would seem that Sondblaster does come with all dials, according to a pic on tfw.. so there may be some QC issues in some figures

here we go again with the QC issues..........wtf are their QC managers doing?!

horus wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

No need to do that. Just go buy some lighter fluid (i.e. Zippo), pour a little on the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and it loosens up the sticker's adhesive enough so that the sticker easily peels off (which you need to very carefully do to avoid ripping the sticker). Lighter fluid evaporates very quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to the figure or sticker. Once you've done what you need to do, you just re-apply the sticker. Works like a charm. Been doing this for over a year now.

This technique also works on those extremely annoying price tags without causing any damage to the box. Some times it looks like the lighter fluid might have stained the box, but it goes away in a few minutes after it dries. Works on vintage stuff as well as new toys. Just be careful!

awesome tip!

already have a junker Soundwave here all i need is a cheap 50cent lighter

Sounds scary, but I trust you Ryan.

Will the sticker still have adhesive to stick back ???

Horus:

Can you open up the junker Soundwave and confirm that the dial and switch are easily removable and easy to reinstall ???

An eye candy. A must have if you are completing this line... more so if you are into cassettes...

Since I've picked up all of the encore line so far I'll definitely be getting these, plus I dont have either figure yet.

Bit wary of the QC issues, and the moulding on Soundblaster will be iffy given the amount of times the Soundwave mould has been used.

On the plus side I like that the boxes are a la the G1 Headmasters line rather than just G1.

horus wrote:
awesome tip!

already have a junker Soundwave here all i need is a cheap 50cent lighter

Holy crap! don't do that!! those cheap 50cent lighters use Butane as a fuel source not lighter fluid and is pressurized. Big difference. Breaking one of those apart can be "explosive" if your not carefull.

zerorobotpoints wrote:An eye candy. A must have if you are completing this line... more so if you are into cassettes...

MightyMagnus78 wrote:The only reason to buy these guys is for the cassettes. Personally, I don't like the new paint apps and I've already got their previous reissues so I'm probably going to pass on these.

I could not disagree with you more. These are excellent G1 collector pieces. I am very agreeable to all the tweaks that have been done to make the two cassette players different, and of course the cassettes add to the must buyness through the creativity of the characters that they made them into.

A nice duo, and a great set of collector pieces.

Seibertron wrote:

horus wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Rated X wrote:Maybe I can buy a junk soundwave to get the dial ans switch. And some reprolabels if I have to remove any decals to get to the screws.

No need to do that. Just go buy some lighter fluid (i.e. Zippo), pour a little on the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and it loosens up the sticker's adhesive enough so that the sticker easily peels off (which you need to very carefully do to avoid ripping the sticker). Lighter fluid evaporates very quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to the figure or sticker. Once you've done what you need to do, you just re-apply the sticker. Works like a charm. Been doing this for over a year now.

This technique also works on those extremely annoying price tags without causing any damage to the box. Some times it looks like the lighter fluid might have stained the box, but it goes away in a few minutes after it dries. Works on vintage stuff as well as new toys. Just be careful!

awesome tip!

already have a junker Soundwave here all i need is a cheap 50cent lighter

You're better off with buying a bottle/can of Zippo Lighter fluid at a tobacco store. Should cost $2.50 to $5.00. That way you can reuse it over and over again.

Wow! I've been using that trick for removing old stickers for quite awhile, but I had no idea you could reapply them! You learn something new every day.

As for these releases, they're looking pretty good, but I hope the missing dials are an isolated QC issue, not cost-cutting.

Seibertron wrote:These sets are awesome. Can't wait to get my hands on these. Also happy that they gave their faces new paint jobs as well. Kudos Takara Tomy!

Action Master Soundwave and Wing Thing ... my camera's looking at you!

my poor wingthing is missing a wing, I really need to find that.

Rated X wrote:
Horus:

Can you open up the junker Soundwave and confirm that the dial and switch are easily removable and easy to reinstall ???

It's easy.. just a few screws, there is a small plastic part on a spring that you have to look out for not loose when you pry open the leg cause it pop's off from the metal foot