Lifting The Needle On LEGO 40699 Retro Record Player

Get ready to groove, because we're about to discuss the build details of the latest LEGO Gift With Purchase, LEGO Retro Record Player (40699). It’s like a love letter to the good old days and your go-to jams!

This retro set has been a success, with huge queues outside LEGO shops, and we can see why! It's a fantastic nod to years gone by and the crackly undertones of your favourite album!

BUILDING THE LEGO 40699 RETRO RECORD PLAYER

PUT THE NEEDLE ON THE RECORD

LEGO 40699 consists of 310 pieces, separated into four main bags; there are three loose black 4x14 plates and one instruction book. The instruction book has eighty steps to complete.

TRACK ONE

Bag 1: This is where the base of the record player is created. While some vibrant bricks of colours like green, orange, and turquoise are used here, they are all hidden away. The black inverted slopes around the edges contribute to the record player's iconic shape.

TRACK TWO

Bag 2: The first step is adding the rotating mechanism for the vinyl record. This is achieved using two gear wheels, one grey and one medium azure. Grey tiles are added over most of the base, and three brightly coloured 1x1 tiles are added at the front of the unit.

The feet are added next. In keeping with record players of old, they are squat and circular. Ten small pieces are used to build two “switches” that slot into the channels on the left and the right.

TRACK THREE

Bag 3: Next up is the lid. This is built from a selection of clear window pieces; three flat and five curved. Grey pieces are used to finish off the edge, with three 1x1 tiles and plates in corresponding colours added. A hinge system is made from grey connectors and grey modified 1x2 plates with pin holes at the end.

TRACK FOUR

Bag 4: The final bag is for the needle arm, other elements in that area, and the vinyl record. The construction of the needle felt a bit like building a gun turret on a LEGO Star Wars build. That said, once completed and attached to the record player, it does look effective.

The record is built using a combination of black bricks, plates, and a few slopes. Five printed tiles form the label in the centre and from what we can tell, these printed elements are new and feature musical notes on them in shades of light blue and yellow.

HIDDEN TRACK

Once LEGO 40699 is completed, you can lift the needle and place it over the record. The gear wheel enables the record to turn, the switches can be moved up and down, and the printed volume button can be turned. The record player can be displayed with the lid open or closed, and a hinged grey support arm keeps the lid open.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This fun little build invokes nostalgia for listening to records (although it's now easier to use digital music services) and in truth, it's been a firm favourite in the office. We anticipated it would be larger, but it still boasts plenty of fun features that aren’t diminished by size. The only downside is that it was only available for a limited time with a purchase of £220+, and ended up being sold out very quickly.

The LEGO 40699 Retro Record Player will not look out of place alongside the LEGO ICONS 10334 Retro Radio and is a great display item for music lovers of all ages.

What other retro/vintage items do you think LEGO should recreate?