Help Me DECIDE whether to get a $75 MYSTERY box or just buy the saber I want! :(

[Sean107]

If there is ever a specific blade you want, always go for it. When you purchase the mystery box you could be leaving yourself open to a very low end hilt with an AV switch. Sorry you weren't to happy.

[scifidude79]

If there is ever a specific blade you want, always go for it. When you purchase the mystery box you could be leaving yourself open to a very low end hilt with an AV switch. Sorry you weren't to happy.

Exactly.  A $200 box could still be an Initiate (or similar) with sound, flash on clash and an AV switch.  That's over $200.  Not that I would personally have any issue with that, but some would, so I'm just saying. 

[Isola815]

Not to flog a dead horse... but that's now $275 you could have put towards a Guardian at 15% off...

[Master Nero Attoru]

We used to get this question all the time with Grab Bag sabers, and I always gave the same answer - ALWAYS go for the hilt that calls to you, instead of gambling.  The Grab Bag and Mystery Box options are best for people who don't have a specific preference, and just enjoy the thrill of the surprise.  It's a nice option as a gift for a friend, as well.  Expectations, however, will always ruin the experience.  Getting one with the hopes of receiving a particular hilt, or hitting the jackpot with a very valuable saber, will result in disappointment more often than not.

[scifidude79]

They're also good if you're on a tight budget, which it sounds like isn't the case here, or you need a lot of sabers for a saber group or school.  I think Emory once said that he never intended the Grab Bags to be a primary purchase option.  He basically just listed the option to clean out the warehouse.    However, it has taken off and now we have the Mystery Boxes too.  But, you should only order one if you're literally willing to accept anything in the US catalog.

I've ordered 4 sabers from Grab Bags and I've gotten some wonderful sabers.  All are in the lower tier, none of them came with sound.  (because Grab Bags are always stunts)  But, my thing is not having a lot of money and actually wanting something lower end that I can customize.  And, indeed, I've customized two of the four and started on another one, I'm also working on customizing some of my other lower end stunts.

However, going forward, I plan to not buy any more Grab Bags or Mystery Boxes, because I just want to order what I want.  Even if I have to save up for something, there is a definite advantage to getting exactly what you want and knowing what you'll be receiving.

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

Sorry to hear the $75 box wasn't to your liking.  What makes you think the $200 one will be any better?  Or were you just not happy with the fact that you didn't get sound?

Well, I think I was just not happy because it didn't come with any sound. No offense to all the light saber fans here, but when I saw the saber that I got with no sound I feel like I just bought a very expensive ($100+ shipping included) flashlight. I took away the excitement that I had when I didn't see the white paper on the mystery saber.

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

If there is ever a specific blade you want, always go for it. When you purchase the mystery box you could be leaving yourself open to a very low end hilt with an AV switch. Sorry you weren't to happy.

Before I really wanted to get the Guardian, but when I saw how big and think it is I just decided to get the $75 Mystery box. I have learned my lesson from the $75 mystery box. Now, I do not know what to get...do you have any suggestion for any hilt that is thin at the same time light and comes with sound?

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

Exactly.  A $200 box could still be an Initiate (or similar) with sound, flash on clash and an AV switch.  That's over $200.  Not that I would personally have any issue with that, but some would, so I'm just saying. 

Don't jinx it Scifidude79...lol! Well, lets just say whatever blade that I will get I am sure that I will get a sound THIS time.....I will just be happy for now. I just hope its not silver light...lol!! 

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

Not to flog a dead horse... but that's now $275 you could have put towards a Guardian at 15% off...

I should have had listen to you Isola815 last time... Oh well, there is nothing I can do now...time for me to move on and just be excited to the next $200 Mystery box that I ordered. I just hope it will not be a silver light...huhuhuh! do you have any suggestion on any hilt that is light and thin that comes with a sound?

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

We used to get this question all the time with Grab Bag sabers, and I always gave the same answer - ALWAYS go for the hilt that calls to you, instead of gambling.  The Grab Bag and Mystery Box options are best for people who don't have a specific preference, and just enjoy the thrill of the surprise.  It's a nice option as a gift for a friend, as well.  Expectations, however, will always ruin the experience.  Getting one with the hopes of receiving a particular hilt, or hitting the jackpot with a very valuable saber, will result in disappointment more often than not.

I have learned my lesson from the $75 Mystery box Master Nero. I will never buy the $75 Mystery box any more. Maybe that's what I will do...I will just buy a $75 mystery box as a gift. I don't trust the force on this $75 MB..I'd rather trust my wallet than the force..lol! Thanks for the advice Master Nero Attoru.

[scifidude79]

Don't jinx it Scifidude79...lol! Well, lets just say whatever blade that I will get I am sure that I will get a sound THIS time.....I will just be happy for now. I just hope its not silver light...lol!! 

Heh, I intentionally bought a silver blade saber once.  I like it. 

do you have any suggestion on any hilt that is light and thin that comes with a sound?

Your thinnest and lightest sound sabers are going to be the V3 and V4 hilts;  Aeon, Sentinel, Standard Issue, Liberator, Prophecy, etc.  UltraSabers machines those out of a solid blank of aluminum and they're thinner than many of the higher end hilts, such as the character hilts.  Not a whole lot, though, 1.45" VS 1.5" to 1.6".  They also have no shrouds or heavy pommels or anything like that to add weight.  They're designed to be light and durable for performance sabering and dueling.  Anything V3 and V4 can be equipped with sound, up to and including Diamond.

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

They're also good if you're on a tight budget, which it sounds like isn't the case here, or you need a lot of sabers for a saber group or school.  I think Emory once said that he never intended the Grab Bags to be a primary purchase option.  He basically just listed the option to clean out the warehouse.    However, it has taken off and now we have the Mystery Boxes too.  But, you should only order one if you're literally willing to accept anything in the US catalog.

I've ordered 4 sabers from Grab Bags and I've gotten some wonderful sabers.  All are in the lower tier, none of them came with sound.  (because Grab Bags are always stunts)  But, my thing is not having a lot of money and actually wanting something lower end that I can customize.  And, indeed, I've customized two of the four and started on another one, I'm also working on customizing some of my other lower end stunts.

However, going forward, I plan to not buy any more Grab Bags or Mystery Boxes, because I just want to order what I want.  Even if I have to save up for something, there is a definite advantage to getting exactly what you want and knowing what you'll be receiving.

To be honest with you..I was really on a tight budget that's why I just decided to get the $75 MB.  I mean, I would not really pay $200+ dollars for a toy "or so I thought" I just want to see if luck was on my side. When I opened the $75 MB I was really not happy with it because it didn't come with a sound. I really don't need a lot of sabers, but since I was not happy with what I got I just decided to go for it with a $200 MB. That was my mistake.

You said you can customine it?? and you already did that??? YOU just gave me HOPE!! HOW did you add sound? do you have a video? Please teach me scifidude79!!   I am sorry if I don't know these things...I just started this lightsaber hobby last week.

[scifidude79]

Yep, I've added sound to a couple of my Grab Bag stunts.  I've also switched my one Obsidian V4 setup from a hilt I was less enthusiastic about to a Consular empty hilt I ordered.

UltraSabers sells everything you need to add sound, but it's not cheap.  It's worth it, though.

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-sound-obsidianusb.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-sound-aacombo.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-buckpuck1000.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-14500li-ion.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-avbluemomentary.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-battcharcombo.htm

The switch is just a suggestion.  You need a momentary switch, though.  The latching one you got with your saber won't work with the sound board's functions.  You'll also need wire, solder and heat shrink, as well as tools such as a soldering iron and wire snips.

For actual instruction, I don't have the time or the patience to do videos, nor do I have the stuff on hand to build a sound equipped saber right now, or even upgrade one of my stunts.  However, YouTube is your friend.  Everything I know about building sabers I learned from YouTube, as well as tips here on the forum and some trial and error.

[Master Nero Attoru]

With the way the pricing works on the site, it's much more cost effective to order a saber equipped with sound outright, rather than install it after the fact.  For instance, the Obsidian board is $125, and that's merely for the board itself - you'd still need a momentary switch, speaker, and a new power source (depending on what you have currently).  If there's a hilt you like, and it can take sound, I recommend ordering it from Ultrasabers directly, unless you're the kind of person who likes the DIY challenge.

Also, I highly recommend the Prophecy and Dark Prophecy.  Both are very streamlined and practical hilts, and are designed to accommodate sound.

[TheSilentGhostReaper]

Yep, I've added sound to a couple of my Grab Bag stunts.  I've also switched my one Obsidian V4 setup from a hilt I was less enthusiastic about to a Consular empty hilt I ordered.

UltraSabers sells everything you need to add sound, but it's not cheap.  It's worth it, though.

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-sound-obsidianusb.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-sound-aacombo.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-buckpuck1000.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-14500li-ion.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-avbluemomentary.htm

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/z-electronics-battcharcombo.htm

The switch is just a suggestion.  You need a momentary switch, though.  The latching one you got with your saber won't work with the sound board's functions.  You'll also need wire, solder and heat shrink, as well as tools such as a soldering iron and wire snips.

For actual instruction, I don't have the time or the patience to do videos, nor do I have the stuff on hand to build a sound equipped saber right now, or even upgrade one of my stunts.  However, YouTube is your friend.  Everything I know about building sabers I learned from YouTube, as well as tips here on the forum and some trial and error.

You are right! its it not cheap at all. To just add sound it will at least cost me $200...might as well get the hilt that I want which will cost me around $240 shipping and discount included. Thanks for the link and information on how much it will cost me if I decided to upgrade my hilt.