Topic: The EE-3 Blaster

Man... I want this gun!
I'm sure you're all familiar with "Master Replicas" upcoming release of Boba's EE-3 Blaster Rifle, as well as the cost: about 700 bills worth of intense fan appreciation.
I've got the cash (although, who can honestly say that $700 ISN'T a lot of bread), but I've regretted purchases like this in the past. The anticipation and expectation I'm building as I consider this purchase may prove to be quite a let down when it finally arrives, you know? The photo of the replica is a prototype. What you see is NOT the actual product you are purchasing. Personally, that really bothers me. While the description of the craftsmanship going into the construction sound very nice, It's the so-called "weathered" look that is almost singlehandedly dissuading me from the purchase. Painted scratches and abrasions... that's almost certainly what they mean by "weathered". And let's be honest: that looks lame, regardless of the application. It looks like paint, not wear. I've never come across an artificial "weathered" look that wasn't a detraction to the aesthetic of whatever it was applied to.
I almost wish they could send me a "new" replica, and I'd just take it outside and drop it in the gravel driveway a few times. Instant authentic battle-wear.
I'd relly like to know how my fellow fans feel about my concerns.
Limited Edition, folks. The clock is ticking for me to reach a decision.
Thank you.

Repeat topic. Maybe you could wait until the replica is out and take a look at it in person somewhere? I don't think the 1,500 limited edition will sell out right away.

I've asked around at a few of the bigger comic book and collectables dealers here in Atlanta, and most have told me that they're pretty hesitant to offer it in thier stores for fear the cost is just TOO high for the clientelle that frequent them. In short... customers will gawk, but no one will buy it for $700. I can relate, as most of them are still sitting on the 12" Boba Fett statue that recently came out for about $170. (I purchased mine in advance through STAR WARS.com).
Master Replicas has a good reputation among it's customers for creating very high quality reproductions. Has anyone out there purchased anything from them?

Just the busts, and those are really nice.  Everything else hasn't come in yet.  You can get the rifle cheaper on their website, if you don't want the "signature" edition.  The "non-signature" edition is $100 less.

I'm pretty hesitant when it comes to replicas and how they look I was considering not getting the sand trooper just cause that thing on his shoulder wasnt orange....so i probably wouldnt get that EE-3 rifle unless it was maybe 200 that i could do.

The shoulder pauldrons on the Sandtroopers represented the different ranks for them.  That may be why it's not orange.

Here you go.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Pauldron

Hope that helps.

it showed a orange thingy on the picture so?

Was it a variant?  I know they put some variants out of the clone troopers.  Then, they came out with a while set of the different rank colors for the troopers.  Those actually look pretty nice.  I'm not big into collecting the Stormtrooper's (maybe ARC's and Commando's), but I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of the Black Hole Stormtrooper busts.  Those look really sharp.

I'm going to buy Master Replicas " Luke's Episode IV Elite Edition Lightsaber" (plus Anakin's Episode III FX Lightsaber) off of an MR authorized dealer on eBay for about $700 this weekend.
Based on my impression of thier workmanship of the Lightsabers, I'll decide on the EE-3.

I just saw the EE-3 at a local shop, and sadly it's kinda lame up close...

It has a somewhat "flimsy" feel to it. It's got some heft, but you can easily tell that this thing won't stand up to much at all. If it even falls off it's display your'e probably screwed. The butt stock could break if you hold it against your shoulder too hard. And it's smaller than you'd think.

The paint job is terrible. It's the first thing you notice. It looks fake as hell, even from a distance.

My first thought: "Awww... man. <sigh> THAT'S the EE-3?"

They're NOT selling, either. It's just way too expensive.

Sorry, friends.

But they did so well with the helmet! How could they botch the EE-3 like that?

Your guess is as good as mine, Adeptus.

I previously had purchased the Luke Skywalker Episode IV Lightsaber (Elite Edition) on eBay for over $800, sight unseen... and I was blown away by the superb craftmanship.

Their Force FX Lightsabers are awesome as well.

Boba's helmet looks killer. I'm thinking about the Stormtrooper helmet as well.

They shouldn't have "weathered" the EE-3 in my opinion, and made the butt stock sturdier. I didn't check out the scope mount, so I don't know about that. Surely they know this thing is going to get passed around when showing it off to your friends. The last thing you'ld want to tell them is how wimpy Boba's blaster is in real life.

Master Replicas has never let us down before, and I almost bought the EE-3 based on their reputation alone. I would have been really dissapointed to open the package from mail order and discover what I saw in the store.

Maybe I'm being over-critical... just check it out for yourself first, if you intend to buy it.

It shouldn't be flimsy, it's 99% metal and weighs in around the 10.5lbs mark so is not particularly practical for trooping with for any real length of time. The scope is also solid so you loose the ability to look through it. As to scale, it's spot on. The "real" EE-3 is 30" long for ROTJ and 33" long for the ESB version (I've made some, so trust me those measurements are correct) it's not a wimpy weapon though (you can see one of mine in some of the pictures I've posted here: http://www.bobafett.com/multimedia/galleries/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=17&pos=0 (and the ones next to it) and here: http://www.kotemandos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=18.) Aside from that the only real problem is the weathering which is awful and only bares a superficial likeness to the proper weathering on the ROTJ blaster. This can be corrected by repainting it yourself though and isn't too difficult. Sounds to me like your local store got a damaged one.

Or a fake one.....

I got the mini replica but passed on the biggie..

I saw the big one a year or so back at SDCC when I was over and Travis from MR let me have a hold of it.. its bamn nice but way outta my range of things I would spend that much on !

Yeah,pretty high price.
I think,in Finland,theres no any star wars shops...
:(