Quick look: 31172 Record Player with Flowers
Posted by Huw,
31172 Record Player with Flowers is the latest in what seems to be a series of Creator 3-in-1 sets that build everyday objects with flowers sprouting out of them.
They are certainly attractive sets, full of pastel colours and pretty flowers, but I do wonder who they are aimed at, particularly this one: I don't suppose many kids today even know what a record player is, let alone have seen one.
Summary
31172 Record Player with Flowers, 366 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 6.8p/8.2c/8.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Perfect for those with a penchant for pretty pastel pieces
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The main model is that of a diminutive record player, complete with two 'records'. The tone arm is surprisingly accurate, with counter-balance, a handle with which to move it onto the record, and a stylus.
The player has a rocker on/off switch on the front, another one on the top, for selecting 33 or 45rpm perhaps, and a rotary volume dial.
The unrealistically thick records are ten studs in diameter and make use of a new 5x5 quarter-circle brick on their perimeter. They sit upon a small platter which can be rotated by turning the handle at the back.
Also at the back are several connectors and sockets.
The flowers sprouting from where you'd never see them in real-life look both ridiculous and attractive at the same time!
Alternate models
The alternate models, a radio and desk microphone, were not inspiring enough for me to want to build, photograph, and dismantle them. They look fairly decent but not up there with the standard of B and C models of this year's 3-in-1 animal sets.
Verdict
Like the other 'objects with flowers' it's a charming model that, despite it's 8+ age rating is presumably designed to appeal to adults who buy botanicals. I can't see any 8-year old wanting a model of something they've never even seen when they could have, say, a Ninjago or Friends set instead.
If you have a penchant for pretty pastel display models, you will find this one enticing and it will probably look good next to 31169 Typewriter with Flowers. The alternate models are not good enough to warrant buying three of the set.
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31 comments on this article
I love that "Objects With Flowers" is a tag now. Also, while I don't plan to buy three, I'm a little tempted to buy two; one for the record player, and one for the microphone. Finally, @Huw, kids might be more familiar with record players than you think, as vinyl's been making a comeback for a few years.
Record player looks cute, but not that interesting. Somehow I liked the mike better.
The radio looks like it has a pair of RCA jacks on the front of it--not only that, but one is yellow which is traditionally Video. Maybe it's just the audio/visual nerd in me seeing things that aren't really there...
I love that all three models in this set have similar vintage/retro vibes! And the A-model in particular has some nifty play features like the spinning turntable, the moving pickup arm, and the clicking on/off switch.
Even if kids don't see record players all that often in real life, I think a lot of kids are still pretty familiar with them from cartoons, video games, etc (same as with typewriters or old-timey movie cameras and projectors).
Plus, even if it's less playable than a lot of other kid-targeted sets and themes, it's a cute and colorful bit of decor that I think even middle schoolers could enjoy having on a desk or shelf in their bedroom (much like many of the sorts of decor/desk accessory sets in the Dots and Disney themes, or even 31148 or 31156 from last year's Creator range). In that context, I don't think the target age is that surprising at all!
I remember when *my* generation was the kids those days who purportedly didn't know what record players were anymore.
This is timely- having just built it, I do like it though not as much as the small typewriter from January.
I do agree that this subtheme may not have the longest legs, though I do prefer these to larger icons versions as these are curios that I'm not willing to spend a ton on.
My main criticisms are the too thick records, and how empty the player is from below. Some plates to fill the 8x10 (or 8x12 removing some 1x4 plates) gap.
So ridiculous it's brilliant!
Getting towards the generation that will know record players because they've found one in the loft!
I wonder how Lego Group came up with "flowers growing out of 1950s tech" as a subtheme for Creator 3-in-1. It's fine, just very specific. Almost post-apocalyptic, but with the apocalypse itself cropped out.
@Wavelength said:
"My main criticisms are the too thick records"
I think we're stuck between what we got, thinner but smaller (4 stud radius is the largest Lego makes right now for plates and tiles) records which would look weirdly small, or delaying this set until other sets justified making a series of 5 stud radius plates and tiles.
@ra226 said:
"The radio looks like it has a pair of RCA jacks on the front of it--not only that, but one is yellow which is traditionally Video. Maybe it's just the audio/visual nerd in me seeing things that aren't really there..."
oh yea, I see it too...It makes some sense on the back of the record player back with red and white., but I'm not sure how hooking yellow AV cables to a DVD player or PS2 to a radio is gunna help much...
that being said... I do like the consistent retro vibe and especially that mic...
Your needle is on backwards. To be fair it also is in LEGO’s imagery.
Considering I absolutely adore the 31147 Retro Photo Camera and generally like retro stuff like this, you'd think this set should be right up my alley. But no, it's too far off. Even when leaving those ridiculous flowers out of the equation, It just feels meh. It would have at least been a bit more interesting if they would have included a simple gear box for the 33/45 rpm selector, but other than that....
Compared to aforementioned camera the alternate models at least aren't terrible, but I wouldn't call them great either. And dare I say 30 bucks for this is just way too much? Get rid of the flowers and lower the RRP to €20, and I might change my mind.
The fact that a set like this has some technic parts and a few gears makes me want it a lot more. Would love to see more creator-type sets with functions.
@gearwheel said:
"I wonder how Lego Group came up with "flowers growing out of 1950s tech" as a subtheme for Creator 3-in-1. It's fine, just very specific. Almost post-apocalyptic, but with the apocalypse itself cropped out.
@Wavelength said:
"My main criticisms are the too thick records"
I think we're stuck between what we got, thinner but smaller (4 stud radius is the largest Lego makes right now for plates and tiles) records which would look weirdly small, or delaying this set until other sets justified making a series of 5 stud radius plates and tiles."
I took some quick shots in the dark on google, and "typewriter planters"* are apparently a thing. I'm assuming LEGO is taking advantage of that trend, weird as it may seem to those of us on the outside. It's relevant to LEGO fans that like that kind of style, and the concept is whimsical enough to feel suitably "LEGO" for other buyers.
* As in, pots and such made to look like typewriters.
I also saw various references to upcycling, so if that's popular, then the aesthetics that come with that could very well be popular on their own.
Edit: Oh! I completely forgot. As a reminder to folks here, records have been seeing a comeback in recent years. While still not common, there are probably more young people who are aware of them than you might think.
@gearwheel said:
"I wonder how Lego Group came up with "flowers growing out of 1950s tech" as a subtheme for Creator 3-in-1. It's fine, just very specific. Almost post-apocalyptic, but with the apocalypse itself cropped out.
@Wavelength said:
"My main criticisms are the too thick records"
I think we're stuck between what we got, thinner but smaller (4 stud radius is the largest Lego makes right now for plates and tiles) records which would look weirdly small, or delaying this set until other sets justified making a series of 5 stud radius plates and tiles."
I can't wait until they do 'flowers growing out of a 1950s streamlined diesel locomotive'*! It could finally get us a revamped Super Chief-lookalike! (A man can dream, can't he?)
*I was originally gonna say steam loco, as the last US domestic loco was built in 1953, but it was an Norfolk and Western 0-8-0 switcher, and not very photogenic in almost all black.
At first I thought the radio alt-build was just a case of turning the first build on it's side and moving the flowers... as the shape looks the same. But on closer inspection there does seem to be more to it. Would be interested to see how similar the shapes/builds are.
Also I think the flowers are usually a clever way of diversifying the parts used. In the animal 3-in-1s at least.
Not only do my daughter and her friends (all between 10 and 12) know what records and turntables look like, a few of them are happy to collect a zillion colour variants of the same Taylor Swift LP, whether they own a record player or not! They're baffled by CDs, though.
Nobody that actually uses a real record player would have flowers near it.
@fitofpica said:
"Not only do my daughter and her friends (all between 10 and 12) know what records and turntables look like, a few of them are happy to collect a zillion colour variants of the same Taylor Swift LP, whether they own a record player or not! They're baffled by CDs, though. "
That makes me feel old. Records were on their way out when I was a kid, but I definitely remember CDs coming to prominence. Heck, I even remember the make (Aiwa) of my first portable CD player! I even bought a three-pack of Queen's greatest hits on CD earlier this month.
@Ridgeheart said:
"Could've had a sound-brick. Should've had a sound-brick! But no.
/Flowers./
"
But hey, you can buy yourself a Sound Brick!
Write your name in the sand
Talk to yourself for hours
Say things we don't understand
You can take yourself dancing
And you can hold your own hand
Yeah, you can love you better than we can
@ra226 said:
"The radio looks like it has a pair of RCA jacks on the front of it--not only that, but one is yellow which is traditionally Video. Maybe it's just the audio/visual nerd in me seeing things that aren't really there..."
no you’re absolutely right.
It’s super itchy irritating.
And to be honest a bit laughable.
Makes it more like an afterthought than thought out smh
My kiddos know better what a record player is over a CD, cassette tape, or even DVD. In our house it is vinyl or it is virtual.
But probably not enough interest to get them the set. The 3 in 1 animals are much more appealing to me and them.
Pastel? bleh.
Now, those black parts... Hmmmm......
@fitofpica said:
"Not only do my daughter and her friends (all between 10 and 12) know what records and turntables look like, a few of them are happy to collect a zillion colour variants of the same Taylor Swift LP, whether they own a record player or not! They're baffled by CDs, though. "
Yeah, I was gonna say, kids today love vinyl records. Hell, I've even noticed an increase in nostalgia aroun casettes and VHS.
CD nostalgia maybe not as big because it's effectively the same scrubbed, digitized sound they grew up with.
Still waiting for the Edison cylinder revival.....
Like seeing something fresh and different, but seem to be several on Lego Ideas now.
A new 5 quarter circle tile would look better, no studs and the right thickness on a 10x10 circle plate.
Wow, have been waiting for a review of this exact set for a long time! Big thanks Huw! I'm really tempted to buy it, the model looks very finished and clean, with minimum studs. The records are also good, even if a bit thick. The other two models also looks considerably good. Overall, a really pretty set. Can't wait to buy this one!
Also it sometimes feels as if the Brickset team can read my mind. The "Objects with flowers" tag is a wonderful surprise!
This reminds me the cheap motor on my starter "suitcase turntable" is dying and can't keep speed at 33.3 RPM anymore, and while I want to upgrade to a real audiophile setup makes some LEGO D2C sets look cheap!
@WizardOfOss said:
"Still waiting for the Edison cylinder revival....."
You made me chuckle out loud. Thank you, I needed that.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"Still waiting for the Edison cylinder revival....."
You made me chuckle out loud. Thank you, I needed that."
You're welcome! At first I wanted to go for the Video 2000 revival, but I'm not even sure if that ever was a thing outside of Europe (where it still was a massive flop). Thus went for something less obscure....
As someone who enjoys collecting the LEGO flower and plants sets, I don't get the appeal of adding flower to random objects. Other than that it's a nice little set, and the flowers are easily removable. The crank on the back to make the record turn is a cool touch to the design too.