Ordered the Obi Wan from the Boys at Gemini, so I'm not sure what a stock saber is, BUT I'm in love with the saber, which is saying much, as it's not my favorite out there.
I like that it's not as girthy as expected - a feature that turns me off to the replicas in general due to my small hands. It has a nice balance, and um, very shiny.
Not sure how helpful this post is, considering I never saw one stock, only converted, but as this is a Christmas present AND HE WON'T SHARE (yeah, I'm lookin' at you buddy! :D ), I'm now trying to justify buying another one for me.