Dealing with Greeks...?

[Sunshine]

I wanted to ask the Nirvana community on their opinions on dealing with Greek ponies... moreso in the sense that, many of the Greek ponies that are say, readily available on eBay or the Arena may have bleeding/bled out symbols, or chopped hair, or missing tails.

Now, what I wanted to ask is... what would you do to restore these ponies, if anything?

-Would you ever think about retouching the symbol?
-What about rehairing the mane?
-Any special idea about replacing a tail other than using a donor tail from another MLP if possible?

I'm looking for advice as I've wanted to expand my Greek herd but, many of the ones who would potentially be in my price range would need a bit of TLC. More likely than not, if a perfect Mint one ever came across and I could afford it, yes I would sell it, but of course, I -ALWAYS- disclose any work done like repainting or rehairing or replacing a tail (for a Nirvana).

-How would restoration affect the value?
 ---- Lets say only restoring the hair, ignoring the symbol issues.

Thank you all for your opinions and advice! I appreciate it and hope my poor little Cotton Candy and Moonstone can soon have a new friend!

[LadyGuinevere]

It's really hard to answer this as it varies so much from person to person. Personally, I prefer my ponies as close to original as possible, and if that means haircuts and poor symbols so be it.

How rehairing will affect the value depends primarily on the severity of the haircut to begin with. It it's really bad then rehairing can increase the value a bit as the pony displays better, but if it's more of a trim then value-wise it's best to leave alone.

[pinkkittywinks]

It depends really, it's a very personal thing and what's ok for one person isn't right for another. I have a mix in my herd I have some beautiful Greeks and some that I've given replacement tails too and part rehairs.

Since Greek ponies are easily available and affordable upgrading is another option

Love pkw xxx

[zora]

I would not repaint a symbol on any pony. Especially the greeks bleeding symbols add a special charme to them for my opinion

if i really wanted a symbol to be repainted i would give it to an expert pony "doctor" as i dont trust my skills

i once re-haired a nirvana pony: my white italy lemondrop. She had a 2mm short mane but a really nice silky tail. I think she displays wayyy better now and i dont think it decreased her value in this particular case. Some crazy haircuts can give a pony personality but a blank head looks just awful for my opinion

[Sunshine]

Thanks all, I think I should've been more specific on the first post - mainly I was talking about more common Greek CP ponies, as many of the other posed ones I see go for A LOT compared to those...

I found a... Bow Tie (?) I think and she's the one I was moreso asking for the bleeding symbols... she has about nothing left except the "hint" of them... I really love the colors of her, maybe it's Peachy? I can't tell... ?

I really don't like repainting symbols but touch ups are a bit different in my opinion, I know people who've asked me to touch up symbols (and eyes) on their ponies before because, as mentioned, sometimes they just display a lot nicer with some work done... though I really am more like you LadyG- I like my personal ponies to be... as factory as possible. I don't have any rehaired ponies in my own collection that are rehaired in their own factory colors... but I feel like the rarer the pony gets, the better deals I can find on ones that need work... I CAN make them look REALLY nice, but I don't want to basically... "destroy" the pony as far as... it being a Nirvana and not as easy to find (especially in the US) as say, a regular Cotton Candy...

I was thinking about ones I've seen like my Argie Rock Pony that I got where half the mane was missing completely, and ended up re-rooting her, and selling her, easily, and successfully, as a rehair, once I upgraded my own (of course, for much less than the normal Rock Pony goes for) - How about rehairing like half missing manes? Any thoughts on if that's... "acceptable"?

I mean I totally understand it being personal preference, I guess I'm looking for your personal preferences and then I can just sort of get an idea of how the community as a whole feels from a few of you Nirvana gurus!

[Stormy31685]

It is definitely a preference, but when it comes to Greeks, I have always viewed certain restoration choices a no-no.  Personally, I would be fine with a rehaired Greek (so long as the hair is original Hasbro hair - preferably Greek, if possible), but I would be less interested in buying one with re-done symbols, and here is why:

When I go to buy a Greek, especially one with the all-too-common bleeding symbols, I will pay more for one that is closer to perfect.  And for me, the price I would be willing to pay would increase exponentially.  There are so few Greeks with the original paint on those bleeding symbols - thus making them more desirable.

But again, it is up to you, and not every collector will feel the way I do.

[Sunshine]

Thank you for that input! I personally will not touch up symbols either, I mean I know it's a touchy subject but I figured I'd get the opinions of others.

I totally agree with you on paying more for one in nicer shape, for Greeks, mostly being how their symbol looks, and I can definitely see why a restored one might be nice on display but, would be sort of taking away from the real "beauty" of having an all original with nice symbols!

So, is there a major difference between like US G1 hair and Greek hair? I have only Cotton Candy and Moonstone and I can't say that I've noticed a difference but I love to use real, original MLP hair when I do restores if possible...

Thank you all again, seriously I appreciate all the input and opinions!!

[hathorcat]

I am in the don't touch boat with it comes to Nirvanas. Taking Greeks as an example; if there was a rehaired Butterscotch with beautiful symbols and an original hair Butterscotch with some bleeding to her symbols, I would probably be more keen on and perhaps spend a little more on the latter. In value, and to I think most collectors, originality of the pony is very important in Nirvana.

However, as others have said it is very much a personal preference. I think as long as you work knowing that any restoration has the potential to devalue in some way, then you should always feel free to do what you like and what makes you happy of course.