If you’re into ancient sailing ships like the classic galleon, JMBricklayer’s brick-built take on the infamous The Black Pearl might pique your interest. But should you buy it? Well, you can decide after reading my take on it. Like the on-screen merchant-turned-pirate’s ship, the Civilization Medieval Times The Black Pearl (40002) is a three-mast galleon, and it’s as detailed as it can get for this scale. It’s massive, stretching over half a meter from the bow’s figurehead to the stern.
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick rundown of the set’s specifications:
- Brand: JMBricklayer
- Product Name: Civilization Medieval Times The Black Pearl
- Product Number: 40002
- Number of Pieces: 1,713+
- Scale: Unknown
- Completed Model Size: Approx. 52.5 cm long × 20 cm deep × 40.8 cm tall (20.7 × 7.9 × 16.1 inches)
- Recommended Age: 14+
Overview
Not going to lie—I have a love-hate relationship with this set. Flipping through the perfect-bound instruction booklet, the build process seems straightforward. For the most part, it is, but things get messy when light elements are involved. The wires are skinny, but each light element has two wires, which makes securing bricks on them not very secure. Routing these super-thin wires with my gorilla hands? Painstaking.
While the set is marked for ages 14 and up, it definitely requires an experienced hand to perfect. It’s borderline frustrating trying to prevent pieces from popping off, especially given that some of the build sequences could use improvement. For instance, building certain sections separately and then attaching them to the main ship would’ve been much easier than assembling them brick-by-brick directly on the model. Experienced builders will likely spot these issues and adjust accordingly.
Package
The set includes a 118-page perfect-bound instruction booklet, which is a staple for JMBricklayer. Also typical is their approach of graying out previously completed steps while leaving only the current step in color. The first two pages are devoted to teaching users how to identify crossbar pieces, use the adorable giraffe-shaped (yes, really!) brick separator, and troubleshoot section the light elements.
Inside the box, you’ll find five main build sections, totaling 26 bags. For those wondering, I encountered no missing pieces. By now, it’s clear that JMBricklayer has experience in the brick-building toy business so missing elements should be quite rare. Additionally, the set includes two packets of light elements, a packet of sails with strings for rigging, and a large unnumbered bag containing special molded parts like masts, bow pieces, and some large plates.
Lights
The light elements are the main source of my love-hate relationship with this build—alongside the “ropes.” Routing the wires and reassembling elements that popped off was incredibly time-consuming. The worst part was the Captain’s cabin, where a cluster of wires converges and runs down under the stern. The decorative bench pieces meant to hide the wires couldn’t click in properly due to the sheer number of cables. If you’re obsessed with everything being perfectly flush, this may drive you up the wall. On the bright side, the designer thoughtfully included a light inside the Skipper’s cabin, letting you admire the interior.
Design
I can’t fault the overall design. However, the wires and some questionable build sequences were irksome (more on that below). The ship is rich in detail, though not perfectly to scale. It features two helms, three masts with jibs, several sails with printed skull graphics, and various deck details. Unfortunately, there’s no lower deck, but the furnished Captain’s cabin compensates somewhat, well, given the space constraints.
This set is primarily a display model rather than a playset. While the rear section opens to reveal the Skipper’s cabin, I wouldn’t recommend handling it often. The hinge bricks enabling the opening mechanism aren’t very secure.
Build
The build experience was fine—until the wiring came into play (covered in the “Lights” section). My other major gripe is the assembly sequence which I have briefly detailed earlier. For example, the rear wall could’ve been installed earlier, before the top deck. Once the poop deck is in place, attaching the hinge brackets becomes a nightmare, often causing other pieces to pop off.
Another oddity involves the rigging. There are 12 rigging components, all identical, yet the instructions redundantly outline the same steps three times for each of the two main masts. At first glance, you’d think each rigging setup was different, but they aren’t. It would’ve been simpler to indicate “assemble x12” instead of over-complicating it. Additionally, while the instructions specify the rigging’s exact positions on the hull, the redundancy left me unnecessarily puzzled.
Speaking of rigging. Not all are rod-based rigid rigging. There are ropes, or strings, involved. You see, I have OCD when it comes to tension and the instructions double-knotting to secure the “ropes” on each end does not help. It suggests double knotting which is not good for getting good tension. I spent quite a bit of time in this department. The situation isn’t any better dealing with thin strings with ginormous hands like mine.
Lastly, there are a few loose decorative items like spears and swords. The instructions ask you to place these during the build, but I’d personally prefer to save such details for the end for obvious reasons.
Quality
The overall quality is solid. All parts fit together as they should, with no significant tolerance issues. If you’re nitpicky, you might notice slight variations in fit, but these aren’t deal-breakers in my opinion.
Thoughts
Truth be told, I’ve never cursed as much while building a set as I did while dealing with the light elements. But looking at the finished model? Totally worth it. The ship is visually stunning, and the use of real fabric sails with printed skull graphics is a fantastic touch. While it’s not a perfect design or build, the result makes all the effort feel justified. If you’re a fan of medieval or maritime vessels, this set is a must-have.
Verdict
Pros:
- Impressive details inside and out
- Beautiful light-up elements
- Excellent recreation of a classic mast-and-sail setup
- No stickers!
Cons:
- Fiddly assembly in some sections
- Wires obstruct parts of the rear section
- Some build sequences need improvement
- Messy wiring under the stern
If you’re interested, you can purchase the JMBricklayer Civilization Medieval Times The Black Pearl (40002) from the JMBricklayer store on Amazon US for just US$67.99 (discounted price).
Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal opinions and experiences with the product. While the product was generously provided by JMBricklayer, this did not influence my assessment or conclusions. Readers support this website through ads and affiliate links. As such, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you click through and make a purchase.
All images by Mike for Mikeshouts.com.
