Male Bodies

[lilbrosj66]

I'm getting ready to buy some male bodies and wondered if anyone has any comparative feedback on the different offerings. Doc Mego vs new CTVT vs whatever else is out there? The one thing I know I don't want is the old CTVT bodies. What is everyone else using/recommending?

[SeattleEd]

If you are buy now brand new then Zica Type S and if between DM and CTVT, I would go with the CTVT Made In China(Not India) ones and restring. Instead of the rubbers bands I would go with Shock cord.

[Bronxboykev]

Doc over CTVT NO CONTEST!!! It doesn't make a difference old or new CTVT never improved on their Bodies they are still crappy.
Also the new type s bodies from David and Craig over at the 8 inch super store, if they have any left in stock. Those bodies are ACES!!!

[JediJaida]

I agree, get the Castaway/ZICA bodies. They are nice and hefty, instead of being lightweight, and there are no rubber bands to get twisted inside the body cavity.

[TomStrong]

I like the type s zica way body, especially since you can unscrew the torso to accept a resin head.

[dr_cyclops]

Although I've yet to own one, I heard, and have seen, the Type S body, is the way to go.

[sprytel]

My favorite bodies (in order):

1. Castaway classic (RIP)
Improved articulation and solid construction, but still felt very Mego.
And the "kung fu" grip hands! Oh, I miss those hands...

2. ZICA classic Type Z (RIP)
Bandless construction, great articulation and sculpt, and such attention to detail.
The body is perfect for buff superheroes.
My only complaint is the slight height/size difference makes it only appropriate for certain characters.

3. Castaway/ZICA Type S
Bandless construction, improved articulation, and a solid figure.
My choice for best body currently on the market.
Crotch is a little different than other Mego bodies.

4. Doc Mego "buff"
Upgraded bigger, swivel-bicep arms.
Screws for access inside when you need to monkey about.
A good, general-purpose body.

5. Mego Type 2
"Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby."
Despite their age, most have held up really well.
I just have been spoiled by the additional articulation in the newer bodies.

6. Doc Mego classic
Slilghtly larger than a Type 2, and a bit more prone to tension issues with the bands.
But a good reproduction of Mego.

7. CTVT China
Slightly smaller than a Type 2, and more fragile.
Not nearly as bad as the only "made in India" bodies, but they just don't have feel substantial to me.

[daz71]

i've had loads from doc mego & all have been good.would like to try a s type zica but postage to england is much more than the price of the body so i'll stick with doc mego.

[samurainoir]

There is a sweet spot for me, which intersects old-school Mego "feel", functionality and price point on my customs.

For me it's the current Doc Mego/EMCE body... the price point is right , It still "feels" Mego, but with improved articulation with the swivel biceps, and I LOVE the fact that you can unscrew the chest cavity to pop in the head (particularly if you have a resin neck plug... no more dermal/grinder/sanding/filing). Slightly buffer is great, since I am doing superheroes most of the time.

plus... sturdy. You can actually feel like you can pose/play with the bodies rather than much of the CTVT product I've handled over the years which has had so many different ways of breaking. and it's old-school, but to me the elastics are kind of crucial for that "mego" feel.

with that said, there are time when I will go a little more high-end if the custom does demand something more than "Mego-y" or super-pose-able/versatile.

[TrekStar]

Most of my customs are original Mego and Trek type 2, just because I'm old school and there still in nice condition after all this time, plus you can restring if loose. For new school customs Castaway/Zica type S and Doc Mego EMCE bodies are the best out there hands down! CTVT is good for certain clothes or accessories but I wouldn't recommend bodies.

[lilbrosj66]

If you are buy now brand new then Zica Type S and if between DM and CTVT, I would go with the CTVT Made In China(Not India) ones and restring. Instead of the rubbers bands I would go with Shock cord.

Shock cord?

[lilbrosj66]

If you are buy now brand new then Zica Type S and if between DM and CTVT, I would go with the CTVT Made In China(Not India) ones and restring. Instead of the rubbers bands I would go with Shock cord.

Shock cord?

[SeattleEd]

Shock cord is the elastic rubber fabric cord that is utilized in tent gear. I buy a spool of the black 1/8" and 3/32" shock cord and restring the bodies for better mobility. Meaning, not one strand like T1's but strands from arm to leg like the old Megos. This is for non swivel heads. With swivels heads it is more neck/head to pelvis, arm to arm and leg to leg.
The appearance is that of the standard elastic cord found at Hobby or fabric stores, but the difference is shock is comprised of single strands compiled to one while standard cord is single and made of low quality rubber that will eventually decay and lose elasticity quicker like old T1 Mego bodies.
For me, this method better controls the tension rather than being left up to the pre-manufactured rubbers band tension which can be either hit or miss.

[lilbrosj66]

Shock cord is the elastic rubber fabric cord that is utilized in tent gear. I buy a spool of the black 1/8" and 3/32" shock cord and restring the bodies for better mobility. Meaning, not one strand like T1's but strands from arm to leg like the old Megos. This is for non swivel heads. With swivels heads it is more neck/head to pelvis, arm to arm and leg to leg.
The appearance is that of the standard elastic cord found at Hobby or fabric stores, but the difference is shock is comprised of single strands compiled to one while standard cord is single and made of low quality rubber that will eventually decay and lose elasticity quicker like old T1 Mego bodies.
For me, this method better controls the tension rather than being left up to the pre-manufactured rubbers band tension which can be either hit or miss.

Thanks for the info. Where do you get shock cord?

[SeattleEd]

Do a search online. I buy mine from Seattle Fabric. Mainly fabric for outdoor gear. Seen it on eBay.