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Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:53 pm
by Forestboy
Hello everyone! :wave:

I have a topic to discuss that I'd like to hear people's opinions on. So about last year when all the photos of the new sets starting coming out, I noticed a certain new piece. The Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile (as named by Bricklink) pictured here:
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Now when I first laid eyes upon the new piece, I was at first excited and then skeptical. Here's the crux of what I'd like to talk about. I really, really dislike this piece. It feels and looks (to me) non-Lego. This really affirmed by thoughts about it when I saw the train station done by Selander on Eurobricks.
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When you combine a whole bunch of these together, it really takes away (what I feel) is the Lego aesthetic and makes a MOC turn into what looks like any other plastic playset from some cheap line of toys. (To clarify, I'd like to say that I'm using Selander's building as an example, and do not wish in anyway to diminish from his building skill. He makes some great trains, check him out here.)

In the Battle for Helm's Deep set, I think they were used in order to avoid the big grey wall syndrome, but in my opinion, it makes it look as awkward as the stickers of the big bell tower looking thing (sorry, not a big enough LOTR fan to actually know what that is. :wink: )
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(Photo from FBTB)

Now, a lot of people would probably say, "What about these modified bricks?":
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(From left to right: log, grille (grill), groove) (All names from BL)

For the Log, I'd say it's more of a commitment as to a single shape while the masonry brick has rounded rectangles while this has more definitive shape than the log(if that somehow made sense to anyone). Although, I've still never really liked the log piece though. In my opinion, the grill works really well with its pointed edges and still is identifiable. Same with the groove.

So yeah. That's my two cents. As a mosaic nerd, I should probably be happy that we have a new texture to the wonderfully broad pallet of pieces, but I just can't get past it. Maybe it's the round areas of the bricks, and they're just not pointy enough. It feels like something we don't need. Almost like a prefab. Because we can already create bricks by taking headlight bricks and placing tiles on side of them. Who knows, that's probably a less efficient way of going about it. Anywho, :roll: from when I talked to my friends at Brickworld 2012, a lot of them were ecstatic about the the new piece. I just can't get behind it.

Do you feel the same? Agree? Disagree? I'm curious to see if anyone agrees. Let me know. (Also, apologies if there was a thread that existed talking about the new piece.)

Thanks for reading,
~FB~

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:04 pm
by RichardAM
I like them in moderation- the same as I like the grills and log bricks. Normally I just prefer to use stacked plates off a different shade to offset the big grey blocks though. I think they can be used effectively, but definitely should be used sparingly.

That's not to discredit the above moc, which looks lovely, just as with any other building moc with walls the same colour I think a little break-up here and there can be healthy.

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:36 pm
by Athos
I don't own any yet. My biggest concern with them, is that it will be quite difficult/expensive to obtain enough of them to do a proper MOC.

And, since they only come in 1x2s, it will be harder to make a stable structure.

Steve

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:00 am
by Redav
Forestboy wrote:Same with the groove.
Well, the other thing with the groove is that it's a functional piece for garage roller doors.

I don't dislike it and it has a place but I don't like it in a neutral kinda way for the same reasons expressed by the OP.

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:50 pm
by AK_Brickster
I did a mega-draft of Helm's Deep this weekend, and was REALLY hoping to walk away with 160 of these, but alas they were picked before my turn came up (pick 4 of 4 :()

I think that, like any other brick, they have their uses and limitations. I think that they would look FANTASTIC as a cobblestone road, or as an accent strip around a building. I do agree that building an entire structure out of them is a bit overkill though.

Something like THIS DISPLAY from a guy in my LUG is a good example of excellent use, but in moderation.

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:47 pm
by Forestboy
AK_Brickster wrote:I did a mega-draft of Helm's Deep this weekend, and was REALLY hoping to walk away with 160 of these, but alas they were picked before my turn came up (pick 4 of 4 :()
It's funny you mention you did that because some guys at Brickworld bought four Helm's Deeps to do a parts draft (plus some Ninjago and Friends) and one of my friends walked away with the masonry bricks. He says he really likes them. :wink:

Anywho, the consensus seems to be use in moderation. Right now, I just can't get past 'em, but I'll have to have people sway me over time. :wink: I also agree with Athos though in that they are in small quantities/expensive/etc which will limit the use in large scale situations.

Thanks for replying,
~FB~

Re: Discussion: Modified 1 x 2 with Masonry Profile Brick

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:31 pm
by Ryclen
I like them, but if you make an entire wall out of them, I think it would just get boring. So, yes, moderation. :tasty: