Will XXX Head Work On XXX Body?
Making the decision to purchase a doll can include consideration of whether to choose a doll that is complete (matched body and head) or pieced together (body and head from different manufacturers etc.). If choosing to piece together a doll or you are considering additional heads to switch looks/characters with an existing body, there are some things to consider in regards to compatibility and aesthetics. Here are explanations of each option and the pros and cons that I have found.
Complete doll - Complete dolls are (should be) dolls that’s body and head/s are manufactured at the same time and could be made from a single batch of material (TPE doll or soft silicone head on silicone body). If a hard silicone head is specified or the doll is a hybrid (TPE body/hard or soft silicone head), the difference in material can be compared and differences mitigated (color matched) by the manufacturer during the manufacturing process.
Pros:
- Buying a complete doll whose body and head/s were manufactured at the same time is the only way that you can be reasonably confident in acheiving a nearly guarenteed ideal match in compatibility/fit and aesthetics.
Cons:
- Buying a complete doll made by a single manufacturer limits your choices to the bodies and heads offered by that specific manufacturer.
Pieced together doll - A Pieced together doll is a doll whose body and head have been purchased and manufactured seperately; whether at different times by one manufacturer or by two different manufacturers.
Pros:
- By piecing together a doll, you can acheive combinations that are unavailible any other way. Let’s say you love the body of brand X but do not like any of brand X’s heads, you can potentially buy a head you love from brand Y and combine the two to create your complete dream doll.
Cons:
- There are many things to consider when attempting to piece together a doll or when purchasing additional heads to switch looks/characters. Head connector type, propietary head to neck interface (neck length, head recess depth, special molded features where the head and neck meet etc.) and skin tone match are all areas of potential conflict. Even if buying from the same manufacturer (an additional head at a later date etc.), variations in the material blend, pigment formulas etc. can result in a less than perfect skin tone match.
Head connector types (current common)
M16 threaded - M16 threaded head connectors are essentially the industry standard for full size (generally 140 cm or taller) dolls. Many (but not all) full size dolls/heads availible on the market will be M16 threaded compatible. As can be seen in the photo, the connector screws into both the head and neck to connect the two. Dolls that use this type head connector have female threaded connections in both the head and neck. Some prefer the M16 threaded head connector type to M16 quick connect type due to the security the threaded connection provides.
M16 quick connector - M16 quick connectors (including swivel variants) are quickly becoming the new industry standard for full size (generally 140 cm or taller) dolls and are generally backwards compatible with full M16 threaded connector type dolls. M16 quick connectors are threaded on one end and have spring loaded ball detents on the other. The threaded portion (semi permanently) screws into the head or neck and the ball detent side is then inserted and pressed into the other (either head or neck). Removing the head is as simple as just pulling the head up and off either the neck or connector (depending which the connector is threaded into). Resistance (installation and removal) can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the grub screws opposite each spring loaded detent. Some dolls (some SM, 6YE, HR dolls etc.) that are designed to use an M16 quick head connector are only threaded at the neck and either have the connector permanently installed in the head or have a non threaded plate in the head, and therefore are unable to use a M16 threaded headed connector in place of the M16 quick head connector. M16 quick head connectors are faster to switch heads but are not as secure as a M16 threaded head connector, heads can unintentionally disconnect (pop off) in use.
** Generally it is possible to adapt nearly any standard spec M16 based head and body together by using either an M16 threaded or M16 quick head connector as long as there are no propietary head to neck interface considerations (neck length, head recess depth, special molded features where the head and neck meet etc.). **
M8 threaded - M8 threaded head connectors are similar to M16 threaded head connectors but half the size (diameter). M8 threaded head connectors are found in smaller dolls under 140 cm in height and less commonly in some full size (generally 140 cm or taller) dolls (select 6YE, HR Future Doll, Zelex, YL and possible others) . Like the M16 threaded head connector, the connector screws into both the head and neck to connect the two.
Head connector types (known propietary/non standard)
Tayu - Tayu offers two head connection options, a standard M16 type (compatible with both M16 threaded and quick connect types) and a propietary square shaped quick connect type. The claimed advantage is that the square shape acts like a rotation limiter; when the head is turned, the neck is forced to turn with it. The Tayu propietary square head connector is generally incompatible with any other brand.
Irokebijin - Select Irokebijin models use a propietary quick head connector system. The quick connect portion is permanently installed in the neck and includes a locator pin, the head uses a threadless plate with slot that interfaces with the locator pin at the neck. The locator pin and slot provide a rotation limiting feature, forcing the neck to rotate with the head after a certain amount of initial free travel. Because of these propietary design features; other brand heads will almost certainly be incompatible with these select Irokebijin bodies, but Irokebijin heads may (possibly) be compatible with other brand’s M16 based bodies.
XY Colo - XY Colo uses a propietary quick connect type head connector with what appears to be a rotation limiting pin. It appears as though the head connectors pin interacts with the heads base plate in order to limit rotation and possibly force the neck to rotate with the head. The XY Colo propietary head connector is generally incompatible with any other brand.
Sino - Sino uses a propietary quick connect type head connector with no clear reasoning or advantage other than preventing the use of other brand’s heads.
Gynoid - Gynoid uses a propietary head connector type with no clear reasoning or advantage other than preventing the use of other brand’s heads.
Sanhui - Sanhui uses a propietary head connector type with no clear reasoning or advantage other than preventing the use of other brand’s heads.
EX- EX uses a propietary quick connect type head connector with no clear reasoning or advantage other than preventing the use of other brand’s heads.
Propietary head to neck interface (known)
Tayu - Tayu doll necks include special molded features where the head and neck meet, effectively making other brand’s heads incompatible aesthetically even if possible to attach (M16 head connector optioned body).
Irokebijin - Select Irokebijin models use a locator pin at the neck which provides a rotation limiting function. The Irokebijin head uses a threadless plate with slot that interfaces with the locator pin at the neck. The locator pin and slot provide a rotation limiting feature, forcing the neck to rotate with the head after a certain amount of initial free travel. Because of these propietary design features; other brand heads will almost certainly be incompatible with these select Irokebijin bodies, but Irokebijin heads may (possibly) be compatible with other brand’s M16 based bodies.
YL silicone - YL silicone dolls have multiple design features that effectively make other brand’s heads incompatible aesthetically even if possible to attach. Extra long necks designed to interface with extended depth head recess’s and heads that are physically smaller than other dolls of comparable size (height) all prevent the use of other brand’s heads with acceptable aesthetic results.
To sum it up, it is my opinion that:
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If an exact fit and skin tone match are priorities, buying a complete doll is the only option that will nearly guarentee those results.
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If you are set on piecing together a doll, much research will be involved to avoid dissapointment. It is not impossible to do, but is not as easy as you would likely hope. Consult with your vendor if there are any brand specific questions regarding head connector type or propietary head to neck interfaces.