How about a contest?

[Master Rel]

A contest that takes a basic model Ultra Saber and lets the participants apply their best efforts towards weathering, modifying, converting, painting, etc.

An even playing field, with the basic model as a starting point.

The first thought would be "I am not good at any of those things!" or "There are a couple pros on here, I would not stand a chance".  We can counter this with a graded curve.

Padawan Learner...someone with limited to no experience using the techniques above, representing the student working on their first saber...you gotta start somewhere.

Jedi Knight...someone with experience in modifying or converting, be it paintball guns or cosplay props...this represents someone with skills and experience though not at a recognized saber smith grade.

Jedi Master...someone with a history of making sabers and or has professional grade skills in related disciplines of metal work and electronics.

Once completed, the forum would vote, the one with the most votes wins!

The idea would be that every vote, and we would need to set up a vote once and only once poll, counts in respect to the skill set involved.

A padawan learner would get +2 votes for each forum vote...or for example a final tally shows Jedi Jimmy to have 13 votes...the final result would be 39.

A Jedi knight would receive +1 votes for each vote...so Jedi Night had 13 votes...the final count would be 26.

A Jedi master would count their votes as they come in...13 votes is 13 votes.

So what say you all?

Interest?

Prizes you say?

My thought is that each entry adds $5-$10 to a pot and the winner gets this as store credit with Ultra Sabers.

Looking at the sabers I am thinking the Initiate v3, silver or black, is the way to go.

[kagemusha shin]

A contest that takes a basic model Ultra Saber and lets the participants apply their best efforts towards weathering, modifying, converting, painting, etc.

An even playing field, with the basic model as a starting point.

The first thought would be "I am not good at any of those things!" or "There are a couple pros on here, I would not stand a chance".  We can counter this with a graded curve.

Padawan Learner...someone with limited to no experience using the techniques above, representing the student working on their first saber...you gotta start somewhere.

Jedi Knight...someone with experience in modifying or converting, be it paintball guns or cosplay props...this represents someone with skills and experience though not at a recognized saber smith grade.

Jedi Master...someone with a history of making sabers and or has professional grade skills in related disciplines of metal work and electronics.

Once completed, the forum would vote, the one with the most votes wins!

The idea would be that every vote, and we would need to set up a vote once and only once poll, counts in respect to the skill set involved.

A padawan learner would get +2 votes for each forum vote...or for example a final tally shows Jedi Jimmy to have 13 votes...the final result would be 39.

A Jedi knight would receive +1 votes for each vote...so Jedi Night had 13 votes...the final count would be 26.

A Jedi master would count their votes as they come in...13 votes is 13 votes.

So what say you all?

Interest?

Prizes you say?

My thought is that each entry adds $5-$10 to a pot and the winner gets this as store credit with Ultra Sabers.

Looking at the sabers I am thinking the Initiate v3, silver or black, is the way to go.

I don't know about this I would ask deep about this one bud.

[Master Rel]

I did. Do you see a problem of some kind?

[kagemusha shin]

I did. Do you see a problem of some kind?

Well more of a concern if someone does this where is this pot I mean do we do it before or after? I'm concerned because if someone doe it but didnt put to the pot where is it left to then?

[Master Nero Attoru]

I think it's a pretty cool idea, I'd really like to see the results.  I would take part myself, but honestly my recent Overlord purchase has set me back a bit.  I'll give it some thought!

[Master Rel]

The thought would be to open a single source with Ultra and when we purchase our starter saber then leave the extra in the account.

The money pot means nothing to me, I'm up for doing it for the challenge.

[Manroon]

Pretty much the same concern I would have. I love the idea. I've seen similar things *ahem* other places, and I feel it would be a really neat activity to add to the forum on a once or twice a year basis! I just want to be sure that the smiths that be (AKA our beloved guys at US) fully understand what it is, how it works, and have given their official stamp of approval. (Not that I don't trust anyone, Rel has an impeccable record as a forumite of the highest standing, it's just my job to think of such things. )

Edit: I like the sound of that idea for the pot system, if Deep / Ultra okays that, then that definitely sounds like the way to go! Kudos Rel! Very well thought through!

[Master Rel]

Really just trying to sell more sabers, enhance the customer saber experience, and have some fun

There need not be a pot or monies if there is any issue...I'm up for the challenge and bragging rights

[Molina00]

I think the 3 tiers is a good idea, but each tier should compete separately.  Even if Jedi Jimmy gets 3x the points per vote compared to random Master, Master will still likely win because Jimmy won't get that many votes.  A newbie to customizing wouldn't get many votes up against an expert.  Just iff the top of my head, I know I wouldn't stand a chance against sram's custom Initiate shrouds.  

Overall it's a pretty cool idea though.

[Darth_Phobius47]

So the deal is we take one of the low end sabers (Initiate v2/v3, Dom/Aeon v2/v3, Standard Issue, Liberator, Prophecy) and make customizations to them so that we can vote for who has the best creations in 3 divisions? Then the one with the most votes gets the prize, an (Dark)Initiate v3 stunt? If my understanding is correct, that is.

[pharaviel]

A contest with the most basic saber would be interesting!
I think it would be a good idea to do this in december, when almost everyone can have gift money/work bonus to afford the saber.
5$ requisition charge each to create a pool to give to the winner (or winners) as store credit.

[Master Rel]

The contest would be to use the one saber noted, not any others.

If approved then there would be a pot of funds in a credit format with ultra sabers...no cash value, just for a purchase applied to what you want.

There will not be enough builders I would think to have different divisions or it will end up being one or two people in each division.

[Vex]

If approved, I'd be down for this. It sounds like fun and I'm a huge Dominix fan V2 and V3!

[Sandtracker]

I'd be down for this.

[Master Rel]

Sweet.

Just to clear we are talking about working with the exact same model saber...Initiate v3, silver or black