Jazz (G1)/toys

Jazz has appeared as many toys. All of them cool.

Generation 1

At least he doesn't like music as much as Blaster.

• Jazz (Autobot Car, USA 1984, Japan 1985, Europe and Australia 1990)
  • Japanese Name: Meister
  • Japanese ID number: C-06
  • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles
  • Period of activity: Cartoon, Marvel Comics (US) 1–50

Originally a pre-Transformers Diaclone Porsche 935 Turbo, Jazz was part of the original assortment of Autobots released in 1984. He transforms into a Martini Racing Porsche 935 Turbo. In robot mode, he is armed with a silver "photon rifle" and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded rocket launcher that can fire three silver missiles.

A slight variation of this toy, with modified stickers on the car doors that omit the regular version's "Martinii" sponsor words on the decals (note the double "i") and entirely lacking the "Martinii Porsche" decals for the windshield and rear spoiler, was available as a mail-away exclusive offer from Cookie Crisp cereal. Hasbro later also reissued Jazz in Europe and Australia in 1990 as part of the Classics line. This version was identical to the 1984 version with the exception of the missing "Martinii" logos on the door decals, like on the Cookie Crips version. Unlike the Cookie Crisp version, however, the "Classic Hero" version did include the "Martinii Porsche" decals for the windshield and the rear spoiler.

This toy was later reissued by Takara/TakaraTomy as part of the Transformers Collection (2002) and Encore (2008) lines, and by Hasbro as part of the Commemorative Series line (2003). See entries below for more details.

This mold was also used to make (the originally Japanese-exclusive) Stepper, later renamed Ricochet for Hasbro's reissue.

In a just world, Jazz's Pretender shell would look like Richard Roundtree.

• Jazz (Pretender Classic, 1989)
  • Accessories: Rifle, Laser, helmet

Pretender Classics Jazz's inner robot is a highly simplified version of his original toy, still transforming into a Porsche 935 Turbo. His roof features a small peg to mount his robot-mode rifle in vehicle mode. He is designed to fit inside his humanoid Pretender shell, which resembles an armored human.

The shell is simpler than the previous years' Pretender shells, lacking a belt to help hold the two halves together. It can hold both rifles, thanks to the multi-width peg on the smaller "laser".

• Jazz (Legend, 1989)
  • Accessories: Laser

Available exclusively at American Kmart stores, the Legends version of Jazz is simply the inner robot of the Classic Pretender toy without the shell or its accessories, leaving him only a small handgun.... however, it happens to be Bumblebee's gun. (Legends Bumblebee has Pretender Jazz's gun.)

• Hero Set (Multi-pack, 1990)
  • Accessories: Laser

In Japan, Legends Jazz was only available in a boxed "Hero Set" with the Legends versions of Bumblebee, Grimlock and Starscream. Jazz was identical to the Hasbro release.

In Italy, GiG released their own version of the Hero Set, named "Set Commandos", instead of the Classic Pretender versions of the toys. Here, Jazz was named "Folgore", originally the Italian name of Hot Rod. The "Set Commandos" toys were identical to the Japanese "Hero Set" versions.

Now he can shred the streets on his board.

• Jazz w/ Turbo Board (Action Master, 1990)
  • Accessories: "Electromagnetizer Gun", Turbo Board

Action Master Jazz's sculpt was based upon his cartoon model, but with some of the toy details added in. As with most Action Master figures, he cannot transform, but his Turbo Board partner can transform from a skateboard into a large blaster weapon. Jazz was part of the first wave of individual Action Master figures.

There are reportedly several minor variations of this figure, all regarding the color of his headlights. Some have them unpainted, while others are light blue or greenish-blue.

Generation 2

Jazz got promoted!

• Jazz (Autobot Car, 1993)
  • Accessories: "Photon Rifle", missile launcher, 2 missiles

Generation 2 Jazz is a slight retool and (literal) repaint of the original toy. The chrome feet have been narrowed, omitting two tabs. His face (apparently degraded from mold usage) now has a strange unintentional smirk. His roof has been retooled with a small hole to accommodate his new bright green, spring-loaded missile launcher. All of his "Martinii" stickers have been replaced with various new stickers depicting his name and the number "1" laid over a rainbow-colored musical note.

This mold became the basis for future reissues of Jazz, complete with his smirk.

The missile launcher was not created for the Generation 2 line, but came from the Snow Serpent from the G.I. Joe toyline. The same launcher was used in the Generation 2 re-releases of Sideswipe and Onslaught.

File:LaserCycleJazz.jpg

He's ready to smash Decepticons like he jams on his guitar! Uh, assuming he has an Autobot guitar somewhere. They didn't actually make those.

• Jazz (Laser Cycle, 1995)

A redeco of the Laser Cycle Road Rocket was planned as Jazz, but like many other planned late-1995 Generation 2 redecos, ultimately never saw release. Interestingly, many of these — including Jazz and fellow Laser Cycle redeco Soundwave — were solicited in various store catalogues, such as the Sears Wish Book. Some packaged samples of this toy do exist, but there are estimated to be less than a dozen in existence. Jazz would have transformed from a white, yellow and green Yamaha GTS1000 motorcycle, with an LED-lit arm-mounted buzzsaw that formed part of his rear wheel assembly in cycle mode.

This mold was later retooled to make Robots in Disguise Sideways and Robot Masters Road Rocket.

Your bargaining posture is highly dubious. Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Transformers Collection

• Meister (Transformers Collection, Japan 2002)
  • ID number: TFC-01 (or simply 01)
  • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

A Japanese-only reissue of the original 1984/1985 toy in standard Transformers Collection bookbox-style packaging. The feet are the narrower Generation 2 version. The face has further detoriated from Hasbro's Generation 2 use of the mold, now displaying a very ugly smirk. Due to another problem with the molds, the roof and rear windows don't align properly.

Other changes affect the sticker set, which replace the original toy's "Martinii" and "Martinii Porsche" sponsor decals with "Meister" and "Agent Meister", respectively, his Japanese name and function.

A second production run replaced the original toolings for the weapons with the modified weapons from Hasbro's Commemorative Series reissue (see below).

Bling bling~!!!

• Meister (e-Hobby exclusive, 2002)
  • Accessories: "Photon Rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

An e-Hobby exclusive, sold with the "anime version" of Bluestreak, this version of reissue Meister (Jazz) is almost entirely constructed of vacuum-metalized gold plastic. Fingerprints and chipping, ahoy!

Though this redeco resembles Jazz's electrum-covered appearance in the episode "The Golden Lagoon", it is actually a recreation of an old Diaclone campaign prize.

Commemorative Series

• Autobot Jazz (Commemorative Series III, 2003)
  • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

Hasbro's own reissue of the 1984 Jazz as part of the Commemorative Series, now named "Autobot Jazz" for trademark reasons, is based on Takara's Transformers Collection version, retaining the ugly smirk and the "Agent Meister" stickers. The alignment problem with the roof and the rear windows has been fixed.

The weapons have been heavily retooled for safety reasons: The chrome finish is missing, the missiles have been elongated and can only be inserted one way, the nub on the back of the launcher has also been elongated, the launcher barrel can come off the mount, and the trigger has been altered as well.

Universe (2003)

• Autobot Jazz (Spy Changer, 2004-2005)
  • Accessories: Gun

Spy Changer Jazz is a redeco of Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Side Burn. He transforms into a 1:64-scale Dodge Viper with Jazz's classic white Martini Racing colour scheme and livery. Like all Go-Bots molds, he features high-speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly. His small gun is stored between his legs, acting as a tailpipe in vehicle mode.

This toy was originally exclusively available at KB Toys stores in 2004, in generic Transformers packaging with no additional sub-line header. The same toy was later re-released in Universe packaging in 2005, now availabe from discount chains such as Dollar General and Family Dollar.

Smallest Transforming Transformers

Tiny Jazz

• Meister (2004)

Smallest Transforming Transformers Jazz is a tiny replica of the original Jazz toy. His wheels do not roll, and he has a simplified transformation scheme with considerably more restricted articulation.

Alternators/Binaltech

Zoom zoom zoom!

• Meister Mazda RX-8 (Alternator, 2004/2006)
  • Alternators ID number: 7
  • Binaltech ID number: BT-08
  • Accessories: Muffler-blaster

Alternators Meister transforms into a highly accurate 1:24 scale white Mazda RX-8. He features an opening hood with engine, opening "suicide" doors and trunk with a realistic interior. In robot mode, he is sculpted to resemble both the original G1 Jazz toy and the G1 cartoon model. He is armed with a rifle that transforms from his muffler.

Other than being partially constructed of die-cast metal, the Binaltech version of this mold differs from the Alternators version by paint covering all the car body parts and having a magnet assembly for the shoulders joining the front wheel axle (instead of a plastic insertion point). Furthermore, the Binaltech version's steering wheel is placed on the right side of the dashboard, whereas it's located on the left side on the Alternators version.

Binaltech Meister also had a color variant, officially named Meister Velocity Red Mica Edition, that replaced all the regular version's white parts, both plastic and metal, with red. The panels on the upper hips that are painted teal on the "white" version are painted silver on the "red" variant. Velocity Red Meister was repurposed as Zoom-Zoom by the official Binaltech fiction.

This toy was also retooled into a Mazdaspeed RX-8 as Shockblast/Laserwave, the Autorooper and later as Argent Meister.

More embarrassing: the color scheme, or the fact model Iwasa was 17 at the time she designed it?

• MEISTER feat. MAZDA RX-8 ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ (Binaltech, 2004)
  • Japanese ID number: BT-08
  • Accessories: Muffler-blaster

A one-of-a-kind pastel blue, pink, yellow and indigo redeco of the Binaltech Meister toy, ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ Meister was designed and autographed by Japanese "gravure idol" Mayuko Iwasa. Yahoo!Japan Auctions listed the figure at auction starting September 19th 2004, with the auction ending September 26[1]. However, they relisted the figure on October 8th 2004 (seemingly due to to an issue arising between the original buyer and the charity, going by its feedback rating), and it finally finished at auction October 15, 2004.[2] The winner of the auction also received a signed photograph of Iwasa.

All proceeds of the sale went to the Asian Children Orphaned by Traffic Accidents Support Association (ACTAS). [3] In contrast to the placard in its public appearance at the "Binaltech BT-08 Meister / Mazda RX-8 Launch Event", the auction gave the designation of the toy as the "Original Coloring Transformer Binaltech BT-08 Meister feat. Mazda RX-8" (オリジナルカラーリングトランスフォーマー　バイナルテック　ＢＴ－０８　マイスターｆｅａｔ．マツダ　ＲＸ－８).

To date, ~MAYUKO IWASA Edition~ Meister has never been seen in robot mode.

• More images of ~MAYUKO IWASA~ Edition Meister at Autobase Aichi

• Argent Meister (Binaltech, 2008)
  • Japanese ID number: BT-20
  • Accessories: Muffler-blaster

This version of Meister utilizes the "Mazdaspeed Version II" remolded RX-8 body introduced with Shockblast/Laserwave, but using the original Meister head and a traditional left arm. It is touted as a "Movie Version", somewhat resembling the look of the live-action movie Jazz, due to its silver paint job. The name is a pun on his Japanese function, "Agent Meister", and the Latin-derived word "argent" for "silver".

Encore

• Meister (Encore, Japan 2008)
  • ID number: 08
  • Accessories: "Photon rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

Another Takara reissue of the original 1984/1985 Jazz/Meister toy, following the success of the 2007 Movie.

For the most part, the tooling is identical to the second production run of the 2002 Transformers Collection release, with the modified weapon from Hasbro's Commemorative Series release. The face uses the fixed mouth originally made for the Transformers Collection/Commemorative Series Stepper/Ricochet reissue from 2004. The feet are still the narrowed Generation 2 version.

Other changes unique to this version include the replacement of many stickers (such as the Autobot insignia on the hood/chest and the "Meister" decals on the doors) with tampographed versions, and a cartoon-accurate painted blue visor.

Universe (2008)

Slightly less tiny Jazz.

• Autobot Jazz (Legends Class, 2008)

Legends class Universe Jazz, like the Legends class Universe Hound, emulates Jazz's original toy rather than a modern vehicle re-imagination. Due to the budgetry limitation of Legends class toys, he features an altered transformation sequence and a limited number of paint operations, which leave several car windows unpainted.

Merchandise

• Jazz (Stamp Bot, 1984)

Made by HG Toys, Stamp Bot Jazz is a small, non-poseable figurine of Jazz based on his toy with a rubber stamp on the base, and a cap with a felt "floor" that was soaked in ink. The stamp made an image of Jazz's sports car mode.

• Jazz (Decoy, 1986)

Coming packaged at random on carded Transformers toys during 1986, Decoy Jazz is a red soft-rubber figure depicting his robot mode.

• Meister (Super Collection Figure. 2002)

Super Collection Figure Meister is a PVC figurine based on the cartoon rendition of Jazz. He was released as a regular coloured figure in Act 8 of the SCF line in August 2002,

• Autobot Jazz (Heroes of Cybertron, 2003)

The Hasbro version of the SCF Meister figure in the Heroes of Cybertron was cast in blue plastic which was then almost completely painted, leaving the eyes and the back of the head unpainted to take advantage of a light-piping gimmick. Jazz was released in Wave 4 of the line, and came with a part to build Fortress Maximus.

Hard Hero

• Jazz (2004)

Jazz is number 12 in Hard Hero's series of cold-cast porcelain Transformers busts, measuring six inches in height and sculpted holding his photon rifle in his right hand. Jazz was limited to 2500 pieces worldwide, with an additional 100 being specially signed by sculptor Jason Ray.

Titanium Series

Won't you take me to Funkytown?

• Autobot Jazz (Robot Masters, 2006)
  • Accessories: Muffler-blaster, Autobot display stand

Titanium Jazz is a small, 3" non-transformable die-cast metal figurine based upon his Alternators design, but with a little bit of his "traditional" deco thrown into the mix. He has articulation in his waist, shoulders and head.

Attacktix

• Autobot Jazz

Your bargaining posture is highly dubious. Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Robot Heroes

Do the Hustle!

• Autobot Jazz and Thundercracker (2007)

Robot Heroes Jazz is an adorable, super deformed figurine of Jazz, with limited articulation in his arms, but no head movement.

This figurine was redecoed into Ricochet.

Transformers - Mini Bust

One cold cast cat.

• Jazz (Diamond Select, 2008)

Jazz was released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008 and exclusive to online retailer Big Bad Toy Store. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. The bust features both his photon rifle and shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, which are attached magnetically and are optional for display.

Mighty Muggs

• Jazz (2009)
  • Accessories: Photon rifle, doors

Part of the third wave of Mighty Muggs, Jazz is a super deformed, non-transformable PVC figure with articulated arms and head. He is made largely using the standard Mighty Muggs body mold, with the exception of the head, which uses the same "horn" mold as Bumblebee. Jazz comes with a super-deformed photon rifle and a pair of car doors that attach to his back.

Jazz and his wavemate Shockwave were initially reported to be canceled, but were eventually released as exclusives at Diamond Distributors and Toys"R"Us stores.