Retro Gramophone by Pantasy!

This is the Retro Gramophone, a buildable display model designed and manufactured by Pantasy, who's been making waves in the Lego community for its innovative, sticker-free designs and custom molded parts. Inside the box, you’ll find multiple bags of parts and a richly-detailed construction manual, which outlines the entire building process. Putting together Pantasy’s Gramophone was a phenomenal experience, which I blasted through in a single evening fueled by obsessive curiosity and sheer delight.

The gramophone’s iconic brass horn or bell is composed of eight curvy tapered panels, a custom mold reminiscent of Lego hot air balloon part #18969. Each panel is clipped to an octagonal bar frame, creating a blossoming flower petal that propels the soundwaves forward. The bulbous bell of the gramophone is held upright by the brass elbow and horn bracket, constructed by technic connectors coated in matching metallic gold.

Upon the surface of the gramophone is the rotating turntable known as the PLATTER, which houses and plays the vinyl record. The included record features a double sided vinyl featuring some of Beethoven’s Greatest Hits. No, not that Beethoven! WOOF! The friction created by the black spindle cap locks the record to the platter, forcing it to spin along the mechanism’s action feature. Now, just lower the the silvery tone arm known as the REPRODUCER to prepare for an 19th century jam session!

Rotating the hand crank on the side of the Gramophone causes the record upon the platter to spin, the sharp needle sliding along the lands and grooves of the disc to create sound. Let’s listen to a bit of Beethoven, shall we?

Here’s another look at the entire system with the wooden facade removed. See how the intricate gearing systems interact to propel the various gearing systems forward? It’s incredible to imagine the inventors of old as they troubleshooted the engineering of the technological wonder.

Speaking of really old people, some of the most influential classical composers grace the rotating album cube embedded within the gramophone: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Chopin ride the eternal carousel of music. I’ll be Bach! Thanks for that one, dad!

You’d be forgiven for thinking this curvy dial is a radio, when in fact it is the volume regulator! Turning the right knob cranks the volume up and down. FORTISIMO! The left knob is fixed in place, representing additional functionality for the device. Above the volume control, a printed 2x4 identification plate signified Pantasy as the manufacturer of this gramophone!

Carved into the left the wooden plinth is a minifigure-scale performance stage, which features a grand piano, microphone with stand, and, of course, a tiny gramophone within a gramophone. It’s Gram-Ception!

Here, centerstage, is a minfig in a powdered wig for scale! Behind the musical medley, the arch-mouthed proscenium in Pantasy pink is draped in a rolling red curtain. This was an unexpected and adorable discovery during my build. How charming!

The backside of the gramophone is structurally clean but otherwise unremarkable. Embedded within the paneling are a pair of beautiful lattice windows that, in theory, provide a glimpse into the inner mechanisms of the device. In reality, unfortunately, the vibrant bricks that comprise the underbelly of the gramophone peak outward, creating what is, in my opinion, the set’s only flaw.

The entirety of the wooden box is held upright by four rounded feet, which prop the plinth off of the surface it rests on.

I can’t say enough about how much I had fun playing with and learning about the Retro Gramophone. The inner grooves of the Pantasy Gramophone were a record-breaking experience for both my left and right brain: a harmonious duet of technical mechanisms and sharp aesthetic flair. I loved this blast-from-the-past piece of defunct technology and I know you will too.

Listen at home to your Pantasy Gramophone by clicking here. Don’t forget to use the Play Stippling discount code and boogie like it’s 1909.