Lava Lite brand special collectors' editions - If these ever happened, what lamps do you want to see? *DO NOT DISCUSS LAVA LITE PROBLEMS IN THIS THREAD*

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

---PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE POSTING---
Do NOT post in this thread your opinions about Lava Lite's current poor quality, the relative quality of Mathmos, how you think Mathmos should take over the market and/or Lava Lite should go kaput, Lava Lite lamps you've purchased and been unhappy with, and/or anything inflammatory. This thread is ONLY for polite, civil discussion regarding the topic which follows:

Per the other thread about Lava Lite trying to get things in order, I suggested the idea of them producing some extremely limited run replicas of vintage models in vintage colors. This is a pipe dream, really; I don't think the idea is cost-effective, or very realistic. But it's still a nice idea to think about for fun.

Let's assume, for the sake of a fun discussion, that the following things have already occurred: Lava Lite gets their quality control in order, and begins producing lamps to be proud of. They decide to offer, for the tiny share of the market which collects lava lamps, limited editions of classic older models. Lava Lite takes detailed photos and measurements of vintage lamps and creates new copies. They're high-quality. Glossy finishes on thick spun steel like the old ones. Real American Walnut, where applicable. Hand-finished and tested. Vintage colors. They come to us collectors and say, "We're ready to make some lamps for YOU. What lamps do YOU want to buy?" Let's say they release... three lamps a year. Which models do you want to see reproduced?

First year, I would like to see:
Astro Lava Lite, series 2500 - Cylindrical satin silver base on wide, flat silver pedestal support. Polished brass spiral band around base, held out from base surface on short posts. Polished gold cap. Orange/yellow.

Aladdins Lamp, series 500. I think we all know this one. Red/clear.

Princess, series 2100 - Satin silver Consort on wall mount, walnut wood plaque with inset grid-pattern silver reflector. Rotary switch under base. Green/blue.

Each would, as noted, be offered in a single color combination, in a limited edition, perhaps even numbered.

First of all, what's the consensus on the idea as a whole? Second, how would people like to see these marked? Stamped in the metal? Printed on the surface, like the 90s lamps sometimes had the "Lava" logo printed on? Fancy embossed-style sticker label?

And...if not these three, what do you suggest? Different three? If so, which lamps in which colors? Less editions per year? More? Multiple colors, i.e. these <three, etc.> lamps all come in any of these <three?> colors? Put your ideas here. Sit and dream for a while. That IS what Lava Lites are about, isn't it? Watch and dream.
~ Jonas

[Autumn]

I have said it several times to stephanie but I figured I would repeat it here. I think they should start with the basics to get back on track. If they brought back the century line as well as the electrick series(black light reactive?!). This would give them a good estimate on how well the lamps will sell and also let us see how closely they can re-produce the classics.

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

I can agree with that, even though this thread isn't really about what they should do now. We're assuming they ARE back on track and are producing good stuff, for the sake of some fantasy dreaming. But your ideas hold merit. Elec-Trick? That would, I think, still be a huge seller for the "college dorm party" share of the market - the same people at whom Lava brand blacklights and strobe lights were aimed. Blacklight-responsive bases on nice lava lamps. Maybe some interesting painted ones? Think of blacklight poster designs: maybe a hippie theme on one, mushrooms on another... No generic "peace signs and flowers", I mean look at some of the genuinely trippy posters that are still in print. Talk to those guys. Gnomes harvesting psychedelic mushrooms. Eye-popping op-art patterns.

Century, Aristocrat, Enchantress in brass finish? Definitely. The Century is the original US Lava Lite. Made from 1965 on, and on, and on...until China production started, at which point ALL 52oz. lamps were dropped in favor of 20oz. and 8oz. models, the intent of which, I believe, was again to have lamps available at lower price points. I'd LOVE to see a Century in a satin copper with no seam at the 'pinch' and a rotary switch on the base. Don't forget the starlight holes and the black plastic tray. Talk about the ORIGINAL shape of cool! People were groovin' to that one in 1965! IMO, that one needs one or more of its vintage colors:
red/clear, green/blue, orange/yellow, yellow/bluegreen, cream/lavendar, and/or red/fluorescent green. The yellow/bluegreen is very close to their modern yellow/blue color.

Though admittedly, right in the middle of their China days, LL made that Lantern shown above, and did a pretty darn good job on it. The switch on the base in place of the faux kerosene font cap was a great touch, and I have a feeling bringing that back wouldn't be difficult. If it didn't sell well in the regular market, maybe it didn't hit enough stores... or maybe it just needs to be a collectors' offering. The red/violet globe sold with it, even though the lamp itself was closest to the USA Lantern in design, did a nice job mimicking the vivid Mathmos colors. If the flow had been great, it would've gone from great to awesome!
(No whining about my Mathmos reference please - I have nothing but respect for their flow)

[TJ]

Well, if we are shooting for the moon, I've got a Darth Vader head coffee mug on my desk, (I've even tried a couple of globes in it), if they made a Vader, an R2-D2, a Boba Fett head, and a Storm Trooper head, they have a double market. Both the Star Wars geeks and us Lava buffs would buy. I think that's the secret, they need to get interest in other fan bases. Think about the Marvel comics heads for bases. Iron man three is in the works, it would be a cool tie in. Either resin or ceramic like the Icon series, those would be some bad-ass lamps! I'll fool around with photoshop and see what I can come up with, then post some, "Wish-list" lamps!

[Keith]

I thought of those when this this topic began, those are fantastic!

[TJ]

Wow! I've never seen those. as lamps or cookie jars, frickin' awesome! Where can one find them, I just checked ebay, nothing that good is available!

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

GREAT idea, DR! I love those. Perfect colors, and...are those 32/52 caps modded together? I second (third? fourth? whatever) that - new ceramic ICON lamps! Not resin bases. Would you say that, like Lava used ceramic bases from the supplier for Graffix water pipes for the first series, they could use modified cookie jars for another? Or would those work for a regular, official series?

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

True, but the resins they've been making look visibly cheap. The ceramics have a visual solidity that makes them stand out, with bigger details. In my opinion, the extremely intricate detail on the resin bases actually pulls too much attention away from the action.

I think the vintage lamps, though the outer casing changed to fit any and every possible decor, still always focused attention on the lava action. These days, most decor isn't as style-specific as it was in the 60s and 70s, hence one basic shape in multiple colors/finishes sells best. Everyone knows the basic "lava lamp" shape, so they stick to that. The really unusual, vintage-style bases will probably appeal mostly to us who specifically collect vintage Lava Lites, but I'm sure we won't be the only buyers.

[Autumn]

I think I just had the best idea ever. Three words, chrome century bases!

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

For 2000, Lava did a chrome Aristocrat. I have one of these, and it's beautiful. Chrome Century bases? YES, please! I'd buy that.

[Autumn]

I got a midnight century base today and I noticed something. There is a sticker at the bottom of the base that says "base made in china". The base looks great, it looks just like my older century bases. I think it is possible for them to make good bases in china. If they did it before they can do it again.

I also got a midnight royal orange/black 52oz today. Its too early to judge the globe but the paint job on the base is great, and it is built fairly nice. I just dont understand why they only offer royals and not aristocrats or centuries.

[Kelly Flaskerud]

Dreamy sigh... I've been saying (to anyone who'll listen, including LW) that they should bring back the ceramic Icons. Like the idea of using the cookie jars, that would bring down the cost AND they could be used with the 52 ounce globes.

If I can't have any more Icons, I'd definitely pay a small fortune for a nice pair of wall-mounted lamps. Perhaps in a copper or chrome finish?

[Autumn]

Yeah we need wall mounted lava lamps because our shelves are full!