What do you know about Neurosmith music blocks?

[charmcitymom]

Hi there,

I've long thought about getting DS these blocks. They're a bit pricey and quite frankly I'm a bit confused about the different versions that are out there. I was looking on Amazon and it seems that the older version is the one to get - though I don't know if I could find cartridges for it, etc. They only seem to have the new version but it's hard to tell. In any case, the same picture is listed for all of the ones they sell. I looked around on ebay to see what's out there and it seems to be the new version.

Does anyone have this? Is it worth the effort to find an old version? DS likes music but not lots. We have some instruments that he tries to bang around and we go to music class and he finally seems to start to get it. I would love to get something that he could grow with and encourage him.

Thanks!

[jvs195]

We have them - must be the old version as it was a gift when DS was born almost 6 years ago. I love them. I take them out every once in awhile and the kids enjoy them, but probably not as much as I do. I just love the combinations of music and sounds you can make. I think it's a toy that has a lot of range, longevity, imagination and is not overcommercialized/character-based-something you want to take the batteries out of toy.

[egoldber]

LOL! We had one for my older DD and I really hated that thing. I thought it was loud and annoying. It was also a magnet for pet fur. All I needed was a toy I had to vacuum, KWIM?

That said, it is a nice toy and my kids both liked it, but I gave it away when younger DD was about 2. They both also used it as a push toy on uor hardwood floors. :ROTFLMAO:

[MommyofAmaya]

LOL! We had one for my older DD and I really hated that thing. I thought it was loud and annoying. It was also a magnet for pet fur. All I needed was a toy I had to vacuum, KWIM?

That said, it is a nice toy and my kids both liked it, but I gave it away when younger DD was about 2. They both also used it as a push toy on uor hardwood floors. :ROTFLMAO:

:hysterical: Exactly the same experience here with the large blocks. I do really love the other Neurosmith music blocks which may be the ones jvs195 and OP were talking about. The ones with five small blocks that allow the child to "compose" their own symphony, etc.

The "older" version is going to be really old at this point and you might not get alot of longevity out of it. I think ours died of old age.. I bough it used from Ebay in 2007 and it was already several years old at that point. I have considered replacing it with the new version, but as you said it is pricey and rarely discounted.

[charmcitymom]

MommyofAmaya, thanks for clarifying. I was wondering how small plastic blocks in a plastic toy could attract fur and be used as a puch toy. :)

Yes, I was talking about the five colored blocks, etc. As for longevity, I had the same concern, but figured if I could find it used and cheap, it might be worht it. I wonder if anyone out there has the newer version. Reviewers on Amazon seemed really down on the new version but since it's older now, maybe folks have changed their minds.

Any opinions on the "new" version? It just seems like such a neat toy - or maybe that's in MY imagination. It wouldn't be the first time I've gotten something for me and less for DS.

[daniele_ut]

We also have the old one and it was one of DS's favorite toys for a long time. Ours was handed down to us from a family with a son older than mine, so I know it's 8-10 years old, but it's still working just fine.

[LaCostaMom]

We have the original one and my children have been using it since they were 6 months old - about the time they realized you could swat it & it would make music again. Over the last 2 yrs, I've put it away/brought it out and every time, it's been like a new toy for them.

My niece who is 8 months old has fallen in love with ours. I'm looking all over for one as that is what my parents want to get her.

Has anyone seen it available lately? It was out-of-stock everywhere I checked last week. :(

[ssjarrett]

We have this one, but I bought it 6+ years ago.
ETA a better link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LXQFX2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000XQ8X3W&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WPQHWTC2S30R5VKWEW8

I got it at Tuesday Morning and paid ~$15, but believe the retail price was more like $45. If I recall correctly, they had been discontinued at the time. Worked fine and we never missed not being able to get other cartridges.

It was probably due to the number of toy choices we have, but they did not get a lot of play. Maybe I should dig them out now and try again though!

I'd say our kids liked the toy piano much better. (though I agree that the music blocks are much more pleasant to me!) Good luck!

[charmcitymom]

I've located a used older version that I'm going to check out and see if it looks okay. The owners have some cartridges and say that it all works. Hopefully I'll get lucky. I just hope they give me a good price. I'm so busy with family right now that I hope no one else buys it from under me in the meantime. If it doesn't work out then I'll just spring for the new version. Good to know you don't miss the cartridges!

As for the new version, I think they had them on the small world toys website. I think it was discounted a bit. I also saw at least one on ebay.

[LaCostaMom]

I've located a used older version that I'm going to check out and see if it looks okay. The owners have some cartridges and say that it all works. Hopefully I'll get lucky. I just hope they give me a good price. I'm so busy with family right now that I hope no one else buys it from under me in the meantime. If it doesn't work out then I'll just spring for the new version. Good to know you don't miss the cartridges!

As for the new version, I think they had them on the small world toys website. I think it was discounted a bit. I also saw at least one on ebay.

I hope the used one works out for you. BTW - I forgot to mention that I've never missed not having the extra cartridges. I don't even know what they're for! :tongue5:

I ended up getting the newer version on the small world toys via amazon & you're right - it was on sale. I did find one on-line retailer that said it had the original in stock - 1 left - but when I went through the whole check out process, it THEN told me "sold out". Annoying.

I hope the new version is as good as the old. I just can't figure out why such a big disparity in price though.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Clarification (because they make it REALLY obvious :nodno:)
jumbo music block - http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3460104.htm
together tunes music block (2 versions) - yellow orig. blue "too" - http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3460408.htm

a bunch of mini blocks http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3494224.htm

and music blocks http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3432006.htm
the old, old version has a handle http://cgi.ebay.com/HUGE-LOT-NEUROSMITH-Music-Blocks-Cube-Educational-Toy-/250746374653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a61a609fd#ht_1191wt_1139

We have the music blocks from 6 or so years ago (craigslist), together tunes (new, yellow), an extra set of blocks for the player (yard sale) and a bunch of the cartridges (ebay). We have a great variety of music styles in the cartridges and really enjoy putting them in BOTH toys - the white player thing and the big blocks. They work in both! Off the top of my head , we have jazz, opera, back, mozart, and a few others. I kind of hide the toy one so it is not out all the time like the Together Tunes block. We keep that one out as the music is a little more pleasant.

[LaCostaMom]

Clarification (because they make it REALLY obvious :nodno:)
jumbo music block - http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3460104.htm
together tunes music block (2 versions) - yellow orig. blue "too" - http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3460408.htm

a bunch of mini blocks http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3494224.htm

and music blocks http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3432006.htm
the old, old version has a handle http://cgi.ebay.com/HUGE-LOT-NEUROSMITH-Music-Blocks-Cube-Educational-Toy-/250746374653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a61a609fd#ht_1191wt_1139

We have the music blocks from 6 or so years ago (craigslist), together tunes (new, yellow), an extra set of blocks for the player (yard sale) and a bunch of the cartridges (ebay). We have a great variety of music styles in the cartridges and really enjoy putting them in BOTH toys - the white player thing and the big blocks. They work in both! Off the top of my head , we have jazz, opera, back, mozart, and a few others. I kind of hide the toy one so it is not out all the time like the Together Tunes block. We keep that one out as the music is a little more pleasant.

I was just wondering if you could explain something to me. We have the original Together Tunes which has the compartment to play cartridges. Do the cartridges have anything to do with the graphics on the cube? Or is it just different music that has no relation to the cube itself - in other words, the cube just becomes a "cartridge player"?

[bubbaray]

jumbo music block - http://shop.smallworldtoys.com/product_p/3460104.htm



We have that block. Lordy, how I HATED that toy. It is a magnet for dog hair. I never got the cartridges for it, I think they were (thankfully) missing from the box.

[WatchingThemGrow]

The cartridges did not come with the big blocks, but they can be used with them. The graphics (wheels on the bus, old macdonald, etc.) Have nothing to do with the cartridge music but each side represents a different set of instruments or voices. I just stuck surf n rock in the cube and listened to the drums, guitars, then the sax by turning it to a different side.

[LaCostaMom]

I just received the Together Tunes Too music block for my niece and it is super cute.

Still not sure why it's so much less than the original though (MSRP $99). Paid $39 with free shipping last week.

[WatchingThemGrow]

I just received the Together Tunes Too music block for my niece and it is super cute.

Still not sure why it's so much less than the original though (MSRP $99). Paid $39 with free shipping last week.
Ours was $39 at Learning Express and a friend bought some at Costco clearanced for $8 a couple years ago. Fake prices are just wrong.

[LaCostaMom]

Ours was $39 at Learning Express and a friend bought some at Costco clearanced for $8 a couple years ago. Fake prices are just wrong.

You should see the current price on the discontinued FP Grand Piano - I think it used to be around $50-60. The few retailers that still have some in stock have jacked up their prices to $150!