Book Nook Workshop

Built & reveiwed by Martin Seidler as build # 45

Rating summary

Category	Rating
Design & Artistic Concept	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
Engineering & Precision	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
Instructions	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
Lighting, Sound & Mechanics	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
Customization Potential	⭐⭐☆☆☆ 3.5/10
Build Experience	⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 9/10
Final Result	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
Overall Rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10

Recommended skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
Build character: Colourful, precise, relaxing and visually spectacular
Power options: Battery box or USB-C
Special features: Lighting, sound, motorized dancing mermaid and Tonecheer Magic Wand compatibility

Introduction

Deep Melody is one of Tonecheer’s newer releases, clearly influenced by the magical underwater world of The Little Mermaid. It combines vibrant colours, transparent acrylic components, layered architectural details, lighting, sound and movement within one beautifully coordinated design.

I had been looking forward to building this kit. Only a few relatively brief reviews were available online, but the concept immediately caught my attention. Tonecheer has established an excellent reputation for quality, intelligent engineering and consistently precise production, and Deep Melody certainly continues that tradition.

This is not a kit that needs to be heavily customized to become attractive. It arrives with a very strong artistic identity of its own, and almost every decorative element has already been carefully coordinated with the overall underwater theme. Its greatest strengths are its colour, light, movement and atmosphere.

What’s in the Box?

The kit contains eight main MDF sheets, accompanied by an extensive collection of additional components.

These include:

• Several acrylic sheets in different thicknesses
• Light blue transparent side panels
• The front acrylic dust cover
• A complete lighting system
• A motor for the dancing mermaid
• A loudspeaker and sound system
• Battery box and USB-C connection
• Screws and other small mechanical components
• A translucent, opalescent foil sheet for the jellyfish chandelier
• Wiring and electronic controls
• All structural and decorative pieces required for the build

Everything is supplied in the excellent quality I have come to expect from Tonecheer. The MDF printing is sharp and colourful, the acrylic pieces are cleanly manufactured, and even the smallest components feel like parts of a properly engineered system rather than a loose collection of decorations.

Instructions and Tonecheer’s Poka-Yoke Approach

The instruction booklet is another example of Tonecheer doing things exceptionally well.

The pictures use a combination of black-and-white and colour illustrations. The black-and-white portions show the overall assembly and surrounding structure, while the coloured parts highlight the pieces currently being installed. It is a very effective way of keeping each step visually clear without losing the context of the wider assembly.

Tonecheer also makes extensive use of colour coding on both the parts and in the instructions. This helps identify the correct pieces, their orientation and their intended position.

Coming from an engineering background, I would describe Tonecheer’s current approach as a practical application of Toyota-style poka-yoke—mistake-proofing the assembly so that it is difficult to install something incorrectly. If you have never built a Tonecheer kit, this may sound like an unnecessarily industrial comparison. Once you have built one, however, you will understand exactly what I mean.

Tonecheer has brought lean manufacturing principles and foolproof assembly design into the world of book nooks and miniatures, and in its recent kits it has mastered this approach almost to perfection.

Design and Appearance

Deep Melody is artistically beautiful. It uses strong, vibrant colours together with a generous amount of transparent and translucent acrylic. These pieces catch the light, create reflections and spread colour throughout the interior.

The result is a kit that changes noticeably when illuminated. The acrylic does not merely serve as glazing or structural material; it is an important part of the visual composition. Light travels through the transparent elements, reflects from neighbouring surfaces and gives the entire underwater scene a luminous quality.

Another excellent decision is the use of transparent, light blue side panels. Once the book nook is completed, it can be viewed not only through the front but also from both sides. This opens the interior visually and allows the lighting and acrylic details to be appreciated from several angles.

Customization and Edge Painting

Deep Melody offers relatively limited customization potential—but that is not necessarily a weakness.

The kit is so thoroughly and confidently designed that there is very little empty visual space calling for additional work. Changing too much could easily disrupt the balance of the original composition. This is therefore not the ideal kit for builders who primarily want a blank canvas for extensive rebuilding.

My only added materials were a few small pieces of dried moss, which I used in the background to suggest additional coral growth. Apart from that, I kept the design almost entirely as Tonecheer intended it.

Where the kit does offer an excellent opportunity is edge painting.

I coloured almost every visible MDF edge and carefully blended it with the surrounding printed surfaces. Because the kit uses such vibrant colours and reflective acrylic, untreated MDF edges could attract more attention than they would in a darker or more rustic model. Thorough edge painting therefore contributes significantly to the finished appearance.

It took time, but it was absolutely worthwhile. This was by far my most substantial personal contribution to the finished model.

Starting the Build

Construction begins with the cabinet surrounding the loudspeaker. This hides the electronic component neatly within the architecture rather than leaving it looking like a technical addition.

The next subassembly is the piano for the prince, followed by the left and right side panels. These panels are furnished with small columns, balconies and other decorative architectural elements. This opening stage is straightforward and provides an enjoyable introduction to the kit’s design language.

The light blue acrylic panels are then inserted into the window openings on both sides. These create the transparent side views that become such an important part of the finished model.

At this stage, the principal side structures, piano and several interior furnishings are already complete, and the build moves towards the base and electronics.

The Base, Motor and Dancing Mermaid

The base is constructed from two layers of MDF. This creates a very robust and solid platform for the entire model.

It is a simple but highly effective engineering decision. Once assembled, the base feels firm, flat and capable of supporting the motorized mechanism without flexing or twisting.

The motor is installed inside the base, after which the transparent acrylic mermaid is attached to the moving mechanism. The system is relatively simple to assemble, and the instructions make the required positioning clear.

The stairs are then added around the mechanism. As throughout the rest of the build, very little glue is required. Most of the structure relies on accurately cut tabs and slots.

The precision is exceptional. During the entire build, I did not encounter a single connection that was either uncomfortably tight or frustratingly loose. Every joint fitted with exactly the amount of resistance needed to hold the components correctly.

For manufacturing precision, Tonecheer is currently setting one of the highest benchmarks in the book nook market.

Creating the Mermaid’s Stage

The next stage creates the decorative podium around the dancing mermaid. Numerous smaller pieces gradually transform the mechanical base into a complete underwater scene.

The piano and prince are installed, followed by coral ornaments and the remaining interior furnishings. Tiny musical instruments, shelves and additional decorative pieces fill the scene without making it feel overcrowded.

Despite the quantity of detail, the construction remains logical. Components are added in an order that keeps the working area accessible, and the colour coding continues to make orientation easy.

This section is enjoyable and relaxing, particularly for an experienced builder. The details are small enough to remain interesting, but nothing feels unnecessarily complicated.

Upper Structure and Chandelier Support

Construction then moves to the upper lighting structure.

A small roof framework is assembled together with its decorative lines and supporting pieces. Again, almost everything is held by the precision of the supplied components, with little need for additional gluing.

The transparent chandelier support is installed within this upper subassembly. At this point, it may not yet look particularly dramatic, but it will eventually carry one of the most memorable details of the entire kit.

Tonecheer has planned the position of this support very well. It provides enough room to hang the chandelier at the end of the build without interfering with the surrounding structure.

The Underwater Sanctuary

The rear part of Deep Melody has the architectural character of a church sanctuary or chancel, reimagined as an underwater palace.

Its layered MDF structure surrounds a transparent acrylic backdrop representing the ocean, complete with swimming fish. Above it, several precisely cut pieces form elegant ceiling arches.

The construction looks complex once completed, but assembly is surprisingly straightforward. The individual panels align cleanly and create a strong, accurately positioned structure.

Once this rear section is complete, it is installed onto the base. The left wall, upper assembly and right wall follow, and the model suddenly begins to look almost finished.

The remaining electrical wires are organized and secured, while the blue backlighting LEDs are positioned behind the ocean backdrop. The rear panel can then be installed, closing the electronics neatly inside the structure.

Closing the Structure

The roof is completed from seven separate panels, together with further sections of the transparent dust cover.

As with the rest of the model, these pieces fit together beautifully. By this point, the main structural work is complete, the wiring is hidden, the motor is installed and the lighting is ready.

After such a smooth and easy build, it would be tempting to believe that only a few final decorative touches remain.

Then comes the jellyfish chandelier.

The Jellyfish Chandelier

The chandelier is the masterpiece of Deep Melody—and the one element most likely to divide builders.

Some people will find it fiddly and frustrating. Others, particularly those who enjoy precise work with small and delicate components, will absolutely love it. I belong to the second group.

The chandelier combines transparent acrylic parts with thin, translucent opalescent foil. The foil creates the jellyfish’s luminous body, while the delicate hanging elements represent its tentacles.

Important tip: Remove the chandelier pieces from the carrier film

The instructions do not include a pictogram showing that the delicate chandelier pieces must first be peeled away from their supporting carrier film. This may seem like common sense to experienced builders, but it may not be obvious to everyone. Carefully separate each piece from the backing film before shaping and assembling the jellyfish chandelier.

The assembly begins with the internal acrylic structure. The central section and tentacles are relatively simple and should not cause any major difficulty.

The individual arms are then assembled before the two shaped foil pieces are fitted around them to form the jellyfish’s body. This is the trickiest part. The material is delicate, visually unforgiving and prone to showing fingerprints.

The instructions suggest working carefully, and some builders may prefer to wear gloves. I did not use them. Any fingerprints were easily polished away after assembly, so I would not be overly concerned about that.

Fitting the two foil sections requires patience, but the pictures clearly show how they should be positioned. It is certainly fiddly, and I would not describe it as effortless, but neither is it something builders should fear. The difficult portion took me approximately ten minutes.

Once completed, the result is magnificent.

A short piece of brass wire connects the chandelier body to its hanging tentacles. The complete assembly is then suspended from the transparent support installed earlier.

The jellyfish looks delicate, luminous and almost weightless. It is the perfect centrepiece for the model and easily justifies the additional effort required to build it.

Finally, the front acrylic cover is inserted, and Deep Melody is complete.

Lighting, Sound and Movement

The electronic package deserves particular praise.

The dancing mermaid adds movement without overpowering the scene, while the loudspeaker brings another layer of atmosphere. By the way, the music in the video is the music played by the kit. The blue backlighting works particularly well with the ocean backdrop, transparent side panels and numerous acrylic decorations.

The jellyfish chandelier benefits greatly from the surrounding light and reflections. Although it does not need to be a complicated electronic effect in itself, its transparent and opalescent materials catch the existing illumination beautifully.

I also appreciate Tonecheer’s decision to provide both a battery box and a USB-C socket. The model can therefore be powered in whichever way is more practical for its intended display location.

Deep Melody is also compatible with the Tonecheer Magic Wand. I tested it personally, and it works very well. This is another excellent kit to include in a collection controlled by the wand.

For the completeness of the electronics, the dual-power arrangement and the integration of light, sound and movement, this section deserves a full 10/10.

Difficulty

I would describe Deep Melody as suitable for an advanced beginner or intermediate builder.

Most of the construction is perfectly suitable for a beginner. The instructions are outstanding, the colour coding minimizes mistakes, the structural connections are precise and very little glue is required.

The only reason I would hesitate to recommend it as someone’s very first book nook is the jellyfish chandelier. A complete beginner may find the delicate foil and small components intimidating.

However, if someone particularly loves The Little Mermaid, underwater scenes or the appearance of this kit, I would not discourage them from trying it. The instructions provide excellent guidance, and patience is more important than advanced modelling experience.

For an experienced builder, Deep Melody is a relatively quick, relaxing and exceptionally enjoyable build—although thorough edge painting can add considerably to the total working time.

What I Liked Most

• Exceptional tab-and-slot precision throughout the build
• Beautiful and cohesive underwater artistic design
• Vibrant colours and extensive use of transparent acrylic
• Views into the model from both sides
• Excellent black-and-white and colour-coded instructions
• Intelligent poka-yoke assembly design
• Very solid double-layer base
• Integrated lighting, sound and movement
• Battery and USB-C power options
• Compatibility with the Tonecheer Magic Wand
• The magnificent jellyfish chandelier
• A relaxing and rewarding overall building experience

Things to Consider

There is very little I would genuinely criticize.

The customization potential is limited because the kit already has such a complete visual identity. Builders who enjoy substantially rebuilding layouts or creating their own scenes may find it restrictive.

The exposed MDF edges also benefit greatly from careful colour matching. Edge painting is not essential for completing the kit, but in my opinion it makes a significant difference to its final appearance.

Finally, the chandelier may frustrate builders who strongly dislike delicate, fiddly work. However, it is well designed, clearly explained and entirely manageable with a little patience. Its delicate construction is also the reason I have rated the overall build experience at 9/10 rather than a perfect 10.

None of these points represents a significant fault in the kit. They are simply aspects to understand before choosing it.

Detailed Ratings

Category	Rating	Comments
Design & Artistic Concept	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	A beautiful, coherent underwater scene with vibrant colours and excellent use of acrylic
Engineering & Precision	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	Every connection fitted correctly; one of the current benchmarks for manufacturing precision
Instructions	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	Clear, logical, colour-coded and extremely easy to follow
Lighting, Sound & Mechanics	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	Excellent integration of LEDs, loudspeaker, motor, dual power and Magic Wand control
Customization Potential	⭐⭐☆☆☆ 3.5/10	Limited, although the completed design does not really require customization
Build Experience	⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 9/10	Smooth and highly enjoyable overall, with the delicate jellyfish chandelier providing the only notable challenge
Final Appearance	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	Colourful, luminous and visually spectacular from the front and both sides
Overall Rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10	One of the most enjoyable kits I have built recently

Final Verdict

Deep Melody is an outstanding Tonecheer release.

It combines beautiful artistic design with exceptional manufacturing precision, excellent instructions and a remarkably complete electronic package. Its movement, music, lighting and transparent acrylic components work together to create a vivid and magical underwater atmosphere.

Some builders may not be attracted to the fairy-tale theme, vibrant colours or extensive use of acrylic. Others may prefer kits offering more room for extensive customization. Those are matters of personal taste rather than shortcomings in the design.

For me, Deep Melody is clearly a 10/10 kit.

It was one of the most enjoyable book nooks I have built recently. The main construction was smooth and relaxing, while the delicate jellyfish chandelier provided a final challenge that was rewarding but also prevented the build experience itself from receiving a perfect score.

If you are already a Tonecheer fan, there is no reason to hesitate. If you have never built a Tonecheer kit before, Deep Melody can also serve as an excellent introduction to the company’s intelligent engineering and almost perfectly mistake-proof assembly philosophy.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Deep Melody is colourful, precise, technically impressive and ultimately magnificent. Excellent work, Tonecheer.