Cricket/Corky Repair 101 (REDO)

[@allthingsfairy]

I subscribed awhile back and had watched this video once already. But yesterday, I found a Cricket doll at a thrift store and was so excited! It was only $5 and I remembered seeing your video and thinking I could fix it if it was broken, I grabbed it! I got so many comments from people who saw her in my cart, I’m so glad I saw her when I did and grabbed her! She had on a tattered child’s coat and hat so I’m thinking she was over looked because she looked like a large, weird, no name hobo doll with the hat obscuring her face! Anyway, I came back to watch this again to double check what I remembered about the two bands. She is working fine now thanks to you and has an original tape inside. I’m going to get the cassette cleaner as you suggest, thanks for making this video! I’ll be doing my own on Cricket’s spa day since she is very dirty and needs her hair done too! Bright Fairy Blessings!

[@BlakeSenters]

AllThingsFairy glad I was able to help :)

[@chasitywilliams4005]

Thank you for making this video I've been able to fix three dolls to give to my granddaughters. I always wanted a cricket and Corky doll when I was a little girl and now I finally got them and fixed them to be able to share with my granddaughters. Thank you keep making videos.

[@BlakeSenters]

Chasity Williams glad you found it helpful!

[@lucylu376]

I ordered myself this doll from eBay and I’m waiting for it. Now I know how to fix it. This video is so helpful. Thankyou.

[@cocoaam7711]

Blake you're the best! Thanks to your extremely helpful video, my Cricket doll is now saved! She now can move her eyes and mouth throughout speech again! Merry days to you! Excellent video, I have liked and subscribed! 👍😘😊💜💟💚💙❤ X

[@BlakeSenters]

Cocoaa M glad I could help! Thank you for your kind words :)

[@cocoaam7711]

You're very welcome! 😊 I too love my dolls especially Playmates dolls and animatronic vintage dolls of which I have a growing collection of. I have the official "cricket and corky doll bug" hahaha having just purchased in addition to my Caucasian cricket doll, an African American cricket doll and my first Corky doll, his eyes are not moving but we know how to attend to that now 😆 with sincere thanks to you! Now to add to my collection, I just have to obtain more tapes for them and some clothes for good ol' Corky. Having come across your brilliant KZbin channel in my doll travels, I shall keep myself updated as well as check out the interesting Asian food recipes on your video playlists , ah yes food my other passion in life as well as doll collecting! 😊 All the very best to you Blake, have a lovely colourful day! Cheers for now! Merry days.😊 😉👍😊 💙💖💜💛💚 X

[@BlakeSenters]

Cocoaa M you'll soon end up like me with more dolls than you know what to do with lol I'll have to make a collection update video once I move into a bigger place and can get my stuff out of storage :)

[@cocoaam7711]

Blake Senters lol it's too late, my lounge room has already been taken over by Animatronic dolls! And my doll collection is growing, all this in the past year and my doll collection friend list is growing also. Not sure if you are on Instagram as well as KZbin, I will eventually set up a KZbin channel for my dolls but I am on Instagram at present. My Corky doll has arrived today with no movement to his mouth so it's operation Corky tonight, will let you know how that goes! Yeah, I love Playmates dolls and have just acquired a worlds of wonder 1985/86 talking Pamela doll and am on the search for a good condition fully working worlds of wonder animatronic talking Julie doll, but she's a real challenge to find in good condition! Alas I shall keep searching. And oh yes please do, so much looking forward to you doing an update on your doll collection. Cheers for now, merry days! Cocoaa X 👍😊🤗😂💚

[@BlakeSenters]

Cocoaa M I do have Instagram :) it's @jem_holographic Although I haven't posted my collection much lol

[@Pocketmouse1990]

Thanks for this video Blake ❤❤❤ In you posting this video I was able to restore my childhood cricket doll(which is very sentimental to me.) following this video. heart is full of old memories now that I've gotten my Cricket working again!

[@BlakeSenters]

Pocketmouse1991 thanks for your kind words! I'm glad I'm able to help :)

[@Escape_the_night_Fan]

Thank you so much for the Video! I got. Jill and now I just ordered Corky and Cricket (Separate Orders) and Corky mouth and eyes doesn't work and Cricket does and they come with a Casset!

[@neckrochylde9]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! I just got my cricket doll in the mail and felt a lot more at ease taking her apart having already seen what to expect inside. :)

[@BlakeSenters]

You are so welcome!

[@Zypher.]

+Blake Senters mine moves but it goes REALLY SLOW

[@BlakeSenters]

Creation Studios Check the batteries, they might be dying

[@Zypher.]

+Blake Senters They were new. could it be the motor?

[@BlakeSenters]

it could be, there isnt much you can do if it is the motor. I would check and see if all the gears are lubricated enough. Friction on the gears could be the reason they are slow

[@kristyburton6507]

Awe, Thankyou 😃 Thankyou 😃 You save lives of Corky & Cricket 😃😃 Thankyou 😃 Thankyou 😃

[@mtien921]

I worked out how to fix many yrs ago... I was determined....but I'm still problem solving the unreleased interactive lunch case. It lets them chat together....wires pop into the ac holes in their body....I've had a very good idea today!

[@JayRoberts2k]

Thank you for this! I just picked up a Corky doll at a yard sale but his mouth and eyes don't move anymore. Hopefully this helps! :)

[@BreakfastCruiser]

I’m not sure if you’ll see this, but my Corky has an issue where he moves super slowly. Not in time with the tape whatsoever. Do you know what could be causing that and if it’s fixable?

[@sweetcheesecake6090]

Oh! They might need new batteries!

[@angelasilver5214]

Hi Blake. New subbie here. I just want to say THANK YOU so much for sharing this information!! I’m going to try and fix mine but I’m going to Home Depot to get stronger bands. Have a wonderful day. 😊😊

[@BellaFlayme]

Wow, I wasn't aware of the fact that the Corky eyes and mouth move. I found a Corky doll and tried the tape player out and it worked (had the Cricket and Corky tapes with it!) so I sold it as tested and working. Lady who bought it was really disappointed - the speaker stopped working! I just got it back tonight and indeed the speaker is not working, so I was looking up fixes. Is it feasible the speaker quit? Because of this video I'm now aware the eyes and mouth aren't moving. At this point I don't think I can sell him, but I'd like to try my hand at fixing him. Thanks for your time (and this video)

[@MsDoctorWhoFan1]

I'm glad I found your other video. It was the bands that were loose. Especially the one for the mouth. Thank goodness it was only the bands. I think I'm going to replace Cricket's too (just need to buy hair ties) Her eyes work but her mouth will work then stop. I hope she has the same issue as Corky does and it's not the motor that keeps sticking.

[@BlakeSenters]

I'm glad you found it helpful :) It should be the belts, the motors were made to last

[@MsDoctorWhoFan1]

Thanks a ton! It only took 30-40 minutes to fix both Corky and Cricket. I found them both at an antique store for 165.00 with their original tapes and clothing, and another set of clothes each. Both don't have the stickers, and Cricket's hair is a mess (I recommend using a doll brush, if anyone has this problem. Don't use a rubber tipped brush. A doll brush from American girl doll will do just fine. DO NOT use heat or water or even hair spray.) Anyway, It was really a hit or a miss with these.

[@BlakeSenters]

You're welcome :) A wig brush,or wide toothed comb works as well for brushing out their hair.

[@jayblaze5767]

Cathy and cricket talking to each other, just when you thought it couldnt gt any creepier hahaha thanks for the reply

[@tinabooker1731]

.Hi My name is Tina and I am legally blind I got a cricket a while back and she is silent when I turn her on though you can hear the cassette player running. Also I purchased her on ebay and due to my poor sight was not aware of the horrid condition of her hair. When I tried to comb it' it started coming out of the plugs. When I ran my fingers trough the bas of the scalp I noticed someone must have tried brushing before as many plugs were empty. Is reroot even possible with this type of doll, if not do you know what size wig and how to get it on without the glue disturbing anything?

[@BlakeSenters]

A re root would be possible, but you'd have to remove the back of her head to do it. The Caucasian crickets don't have much hair to begin with due to her pigtails. It also sounds like her speaker may not be working

[@tinabooker1731]

what would I do to get the speaker to work and how would I take the back of her head off?

[@BlakeSenters]

tina booker you'd probably have to buy another cricket and replace it. There should be a circle in the back of the head that was made from when her head was molded. You can cut around it

[@tinabooker1731]

thank you. what type of tool(s) would I use to cut around the head? also, how would I then go about reattaching the circle piece? do you know what size wig she wears in case that proves to be too difficult for me to do?

[@Hyper181]

hey there! i had just purchased a cricket doll but her speaker seems to be busted, is there anyway to fix this, or purchase a new speaker for her that will fit? thank you!

[@jayblaze5767]

I picked up a great condition (minus batt. cover) working cathy doll for $2 @ goodwill the other day. I was wondering how to use the acc. jack on the back and wondered if its possible to upgrade the speaker to make it louder, as this is definitely a killer holloween decoration/costume prop.

[@BlakeSenters]

Jay Blaze the acc jack on the back was for a an add on that allowed cricket and corky to talk to each other. I don't have any knowledge on how to make the speaker any louder unfortunately

[@ashantiyeboah7360]

My Corky doll works almost perfectly, but when the cassette is playing theres only a buzzing sound is there a way to fix this?

[@littleblondevlogger4122]

Hello, curious if there is anyway to contact you privately?

[@quidnuncxomotron2297]

Thank you so much for this video! You rock!

[@Joseph_harpist]

Hello, I wonder if you could help. mine Cricket doll is not working and I had open her up. All her original black rubber ring belts all three are still there but very lose, The tape cassette is turning before but now it's not turning and no audio sound. I wonder If I could sent her to you for a repair.

[@BlakeSenters]

I don't do repairs, unfortunately. Have you tried checking the battery compartment? And I would suggest changing the belts, all of them.

[@Joseph_harpist]

+Blake Senters thanks for the reply. I'm afraid to took out the circuits board to change the cassette tuber belt so I'm just going to left her broken for now until I found someone who can fix her properly.

[@BlakeSenters]

toyzthattalk on ebay does cricket doll repairs.I would try to message her and see what she can do :)

[@Joseph_harpist]

+Blake Senters if she's too difficult to get repair I'll try to modified her into a normal doll and try to reroot her hair and get rid of her electronic mechanism and just have her restored into a cute display only doll.

[@BlakeSenters]

+Anuwat Termsrithong It's not a difficult repair, but if you just wanted her to be a display only doll, then theres really no need to modify her in any way

[@elmarobinson6779]

How do you replace the motor?

[@brandiehicks2265]

hi blake i am bidding on a cricket brandnew in box on ebay, if i win her and she messes up do u repair dolls for the public also see corky on there but he doesnt work if i bought him could u fix him?

[@thomasplouffe326]

I got one that won’t work at all, new belts and batteries and nothing, and yes I put the batteries in correctly

[@MsDoctorWhoFan1]

you helped me so much with this a few years ago. Now I have. ssues with the cassett/speaker and I think it was the white peiece came lose that connects to the speaker. I slid it back in place. But the tape player still wont work. the play button won't stay down at times. The speaker works because there is static but no voice and I got the volume up.

[@ethanbruner1383]

did you ever figure it out?

[@clareorourke290]

I am curios what bands are used for the wheels for eyes and mouth please

[@ethanbruner1383]

O-rings

[@thayneleroybader2446]

@@ethanbruner1383 anyone know what size to get ?

[@georgemartinez1720]

Do the Motors ever Dry out

[@lisareimer9059]

This was so helpful as I just bought a cricket doll on kijiji and it’s eyes and mouth aren’t moving. But there is also no sound. Could u perhaps help with what to do with that?

[@terristrawn3110]

Did you find a solution? Mine is the same currently

[@steffanihigbee2892]

Thank you for your very helpful video, well done! If I may, I have a question. My Cricket's tape plays very well but her eyes and mouth stopped moving a very long time ago. Using your video I replaced my Cricket's bands then tested her. Pressed play and taped still played but no eyes or mouth. Pressed the stop button and then pressed play again and for a second or two the mouth and eyes worked but stopped. I learned that pressing the stop button and then play, her eyes and mouth start to work every time but only for that second or two. Any ideas will be muches appreciated!

[@BlakeSenters]

Steffani Higbee i would see if all the connections are okay with the circuit board, make sure everything I plugged in

[@steffanihigbee2892]

@@BlakeSenters Thank you very much for your response we'll check it out. Happy New Year!

[@Lachlant1984]

To me at least, these dolls look a bit more serviceable than Teddy Ruxpin in some ways because you don't need to cut or sew any fur when you open them up. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm only saying this based on videos I've seen, I've never tried to repair a Cricket/Corky or Teddy Ruxpin.

[@Cosmicolor8bitworld]

Hi! I recently bought a Corky doll and your tutorial was really helpful :) thanks! now he is in perfect working conditions :) I want to buy now a Jill doll, but i only find non working dolls and (because of your vids) i know they are not easy to fix... so you think is a good thing to buy a non working expensive jill doll with no tape?? or is better to pay more for a better complete working doll? ... I need your advise, thanks in advanced :) and sorry for my bad english.

[@BlakeSenters]

Cosmicolor 8bit -Seb Vargas- none of my jills work correctly, and most doll repair shops don't do electronic dolls. If you're content with just having the doll for show, I'd say grab one of the non expensive ones, but if you want a fully working doll, I'd save up a little and wait one to appear

[@BlakeSenters]

And I'm glad you found my tutorial helpful :)

[@Cosmicolor8bitworld]

Thanks for your reply and your advice!! :) I think i will wait for a working doll with a good price :) She is one of my dream dolls :'(

[@crazyrobotlady3391]

Cosmicolor 8bit -Seb Vargas- hi! I purchased a talking Jill doll that… Mostly works. Her arms and head move, her tape player plays her cartridges, but her eyes and mouth do not move. Do you know if you can use the same method Blake is using in this video to repair the belts in a talking Jill doll? Just for your information, the seller that I bought my doll from has one more unit available that he said was in the same condition as mine. It is going for $349 plus $74 shipping within the US. eBay user name is Uniqueit-82. Not sure if he has any cartridges though. I never had cricket or Corky as a child and I am so happy to have this unique very advanced doll.

[@Cosmicolor8bitworld]

​@@crazyrobotlady3391 Hello, i had the same problem as you with my first Jill doll. I opened her head and fix her, is not difficult to change her head belts, you could record all the process and that will help you to remember where was everything to assemble her again. I had videos of the process but i can't find them now.

[@agarza604]

Mine just stopped playing! It rewinds and will fast fwd but will not play. Something is lose, I think. I hope I can fix it.

[@MIX3DVI3WS]

Hey, I had a question, I'm wondering if it's safe to switch my 80's toys with lithium batteries instead of alkaline? Thanks :)

[@BlakeSenters]

Everything Eig8ies Vintage Collecting no, always use alkaline in vintage tos

[@MIX3DVI3WS]

Blake Senters thanks hun!

[@Magnetapixie]

Do you ever have people mail you their doll for repair?

[@ermaad06]

Every thing works on my Cricket but the sound how to fix

[@jesscann112]

God bless you for this video 😀😀😀

[@oncemykingdom]

Very nice.

[@jamesmerrill5057]

I liked it

[@lordjigglebottoms]

I just got mine for $2 at a thrift store. I changed her bands and got her working (I've been having to use the tape she came with, which isn't a Cricket tape). However, her sound cuts in and out. She will play fine for a minute and then the next she makes this awful static-y sound. Her battery compartment was fairly clean, but I also don't have a way to play the tape outside of her. Any thoughts? Has anybody else had a similar issue arise?