What's up with releasing EEs first?

**echo5** · 08-18-2005

I'm trying to figure out why MR is starting a trend of releasing Elite Editions first, and then (I'm making an assumption here)... eventually releasing Limited Editions.

We saw this with Luke Skywalker's ANH Lightsaber hilt and then now Obi-Wan Kenobi's TPM saber.

EEs are significantly more expensive and not really movie accurate (See Luke's ROTJ hilt). I guess it's a preference thing?

I was floored when I heard that Luke's EE ANH hilt sold out in 14 minutes and there were 1000 of them. I'm sure that Obi-Wan's TPM hilt will sell out even faster (if you can believe that).

Anyone have thoughts on this? Just trying to figure out the EE draw....

**Jayspawn** · 08-18-2005

The Luke ANH was a different story. They made his saber from ESB first a few years ago as an LE. So rather than do a whole run of LEs for Luke's ANH saber they just made a few EEs. Which I think was the way to go.

For the Obi-Wan EE, they released his AOTC lightsaber years ago as an LE and now making an EE from TPM. The difference in the saber is not much, but its worth a run to make the other version I suppose. Just technicalities.

**nash** · 08-19-2005

I think Jayspawn hit it on the money.

The reason MR made the Luke ANH EE and the upcomming Obi TPM EE is because they are probably NOT planning to do a regular LE version of those. People can speculate all they want about MR making the LE counterparts in the future but Its just not logical and would **** a hell of alot of people off if they did make LE's of those sabers. I say if you want those two sabers, save up and buy the EE coz thats the only way youre going to get it. Unless you build your own of course.

To be honest, the Luke ANH EE doesnt look any less screen accurate to me. and I doubt that the Obi TPM EE will either because for one it doesnt have the chrome finish anyway, so the stainless steel will fit perfectly.

I personally would choose the EE version over the LE anyday. #1- WAY smaller production run. and #2- better materials used.

**Jedi_Mike** · 08-19-2005

The screen accurate issue has been taken care of to a degree. The thing that really made the Luke ROTJ EE "inaccurate" was the emitter crystal, everything was the same except for using upgraded materials. The Luke ANH EE and the Obi-Wan TPM EE will both not feature the emitter crystal. The Luke ANH EE looks exactly like the Graflex only made of stainless steel. More expensive yes, but nice nonetheless. There is a pretty good chance that they won't offer these two newer offering in LE format not only because they have close LE counterparts but because it helps sell the EE line, if you can only get that prop in EE then it makes it that much more desirable.

**echo5** · 08-19-2005

All these answers make sense to me. Thanks.

I have a very hard time believing that MR will not produce LEs of Luke's ANH and Obi-Wan TPM. The reason I say this is because these are two of the MOST popular and loved lightsabers in the Star Wars saga. EEs are SO limited that it makes it very difficult (dare I say impossible) for fans to obtain one. Especially since Luke ANH EE sold out in 14 minutes. I think this would upset fans even more if they did not go back and release an LE version... not to mention it would make good business sense for MR.

**nash** · 08-19-2005

I disagree. Buying the Luke ANH EE was my first ever full size saber, and I got one just fine, and within the first 300 to boot.

I just made time in my schedule to purchase it the minute it was released and I had no problem getting one for myself. If you are talking about not having that kind of time and having to get one at a later time of day, its still not impossible, however you will indeed pay a premium for it from the secondary market. It all boils down to priority, if the Obi TPM EE is a priority for you to get, then you will make the time to order one the minute it is released just like the rest of us.

**echo5** · 08-19-2005

Nash, you mentioned that EE owners would get angry if MR decided to create LE versions of Luke's ANH or Obi-Wan's TPM.

Why?

Certainly all customers who purchased the Luke ANH EE know that there is a strong possibility that an LE would be produced in the future... right?

Do you remember when MR released Luke ROTJ EE hilt some time ago? I believe that many collectors were very upset because they felt cheated and that MR simply "re-released" the same product, but with an unexpected twist.

Or how about when MR released a Signiture Edition AT-AT a few months after selling out if the LE. There was certainly a lot of angry chatter on the forums.

I guess my point is that active and devoted customers have come realize that MR will more than likely release an LE / EE companion replicas to appease as many collectors as possible.

Well, that's just my opinion... only time will tell on what MR will do next. Thanks to all for the responses.

**nash** · 08-20-2005

I really dont know why. I myself would not care if they released an LE of the Luke ANH. i know i have a more limited and better quality version. I was just stating the general atmosphere of this topic as ive seen and noticed on the forum boards by countless other people. Because this topic has been discussed and trampled over countless amounts of times already.

**lukespop** · 08-21-2005

I missed out on the Luke ANH EE so I e-mail JD at the Saber Vault to see if he could help me. He e-mailed me back and said he could not help, but not to worry because MR is going to release a LE of the Luke ANH in 2006. I bought an EE on ebay anyway just because I didn't want to settle for the LE. It was just the one saber that I thought was special because it was the first ever seen in the Star Wars movies. Just my opinion

**dgauci5** · 08-21-2005

Originally Posted by nash

I think Jayspawn hit it on the money.

The reason MR made the Luke ANH EE and the upcomming Obi TPM EE is because they are probably NOT planning to do a regular LE version of those. People can speculate all they want about MR making the LE counterparts in the future but Its just not logical and would **** a hell of alot of people off if they did make LE's of those sabers. I say if you want those two sabers, save up and buy the EE coz thats the only way youre going to get it. Unless you build your own of course.

It really shouldn't matter to the EE owners if LE versions are made, they will be exactly the same sabers, made from inferior materials and unlimited edition. The EE versions will always be the best version to own of both of these.

Another reason for MR not making an LE version of the ANH is because it is so easy to get a graflex conversion which is also an unlimited edition and cheaper. This is probably why they went straight to a limited EE version to sell them.