BIG MOUTH Billy Bass I bought FAULTY off of eBay | Can I FIX It?

Another foolish eBay purchase = Another Can I Fix It? Video.
This Big Mouth Billy Bass is "brand new" allegedly, but it doesn't work. Will I be able to repair Billy and get him singing again?
WARNING: If you don't like the songs "Take Me To The River" or "Don't Worry, Be Happy", you're going to HATE this video.
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
Support me on Patreon: / stezstixfix
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The magic things I use to break stuff;
My soldering iron: amzn.to/2Isf360
My leaded solder: amzn.to/3giGtI1
My flux: amzn.to/3lTrPIh
My soldering wick: amzn.to/3groIGn
My microscope: amzn.to/2VP3msU
My blue mat: amzn.to/3mUiIZl
My tweezers: amzn.to/2VOMjYc
My multimeter: amzn.to/2LjBgnN
My oscilloscope: amzn.to/3mUiIZl
My underpants: amzn.to/3gknvjY

[@StezStixFix]

Should I PIMP Billy? Let me know what you think...

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you!

[@yuliangeorgiev]

Pimp that fish!

[@PaulMD]

@@StezStixFix Stick an Alexa in it!

[@ProfessorCottonKFM]

I second that

[@yutub561]

@@StezStixFix yes please do it

[@blackparrot_hd7188]

This is like doing a medical operation on a singing fish

[@niceatpingpong]

Hella late, but I have a couple ideas: 1: Modernize the power delivery system by replacing the old batteries with a rechargeable battery pack and adding usb charging. 2: Get that name plate engraved!

[@captainducra5019]

Great video! Also, I'm not sure if you've figured this out by now by now, but the ON/OFF switch is intended specifically for the motion sensor. Powering it on will direct activation to the sensor, while powering it off directs it to the button.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Captain, much appreciated! Yeah, I worked it out eventually ☺

[@Fordluv]

I bought my dad a billy bass from a grocery store here in BC Canada. It was not in the budget for that trip but it my first time seeing them and just had to have it. He laughed LOTS when I gave it to him. He has since passed away and my mom has Billy bass in a box to give back to me.

[@charliecharliewhiskey9403]

Truly the peak of 20th century technology

[@yeeyeehaircut4964]

I actually collect these fish and there's a BUNCH of knockoffs of these from many different countries, I have one really strange knockoff of billy called "Starry Fish", he came exclusively from russia too, just goes to show how popular these things were to the point even companies in other countries would try making their own variations to hop on the trend and make a bit of profit aswell, lol, wonderful repair job!

[@StezStixFix]

Yeah, I've since noticed a load of different versions out there. I never realised how popular they were, but there are plenty of collectors out there! I wouldn't consider myself a collector just yet. I only have 2 so far, but I'm definitely keeping my eyes peeled for more! 👍

[@yeeyeehaircut4964]

@@StezStixFix yeah, these things are so cool and overall hilarious to watch, especially the cheap bootleg ones because of how sloppy the programming is 😂, but overall these are really unique, wish they still made them like they used to lol

[@richardwadd9769]

@@yeeyeehaircut4964 I thought I had encountered some sad collectors in my time, like people who collect electric kettles, but you sir, take the cake. Congratulations!

[@Reclusetube]

im imagining entering your house and all the fish on the wall immediately direct their attention to me and singing in various languages

[@reverend-mother-the-kathbadine]

@@richardwadd9769 With even one of those fish in his home he definately won't be sad. Of course, anyone who dorsn't like them IS sad.

[@TheBlueRoseKnight]

Between your surprise when it started up the first time and the AMAZING camera angles during the singing, this was entertaining from beginning to end.

[@sio2y]

I actually cheered when Billy first started singing. My brother had a Billy Bass. I had Tommy the Freshwater Trout. He sang Do Wah Diddy Diddy and Rock the Boat. In terms of pimping it, maybe you could stick an LED in Billy's eye - that would be really freaky!

[@StezStixFix]

Tommy the Freshwater Trout sounds awesome!

[@StezStixFix]

Good info Michael, thanks for that 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Oh wow! Thats sounds awesome 👌

[@StezStixFix]

@@MichaelRadabaugh love how you make the lips flap along to the track 🤣

[@Kitsunekun2]

I'm glad to know those things were not exclusive to the US. Don't worry, be Tacky :)

[@MDSilverstar]

I have one exactly like that. Brought memories back seeing it in action again!

[@RetroJack]

These things were everywhere when they first came out - I remember my stepmother received three from separate family members, and she wasn't even into fishing!

[@genehunsinger3981]

Classic Case of the kids hammer'n the button,making fish fall to floor trick! Father (as he takes his belt off)--OK,who broke my fish!?!? Children (running ,screaming,and crying) I dont know WHAT happened,I wasnt here. LOL

[@thesneppurd]

There’s a knockoff Billy Bass made by a company named Jiada called “Singing Fish”. The main differences are aesthetically, with the audio quality and some other small differences, but the main difference is the build quality. It’s dreadful. The boards can fry out super easily if you play the fish on an adapter.

[@StezStixFix]

Yeah, I've heard there are a few cheap clones of this. Can't imagine any of them being any good! 😳

[@MauR1CEnl]

We had one that came from Aldi. And it fell of the wallmount when it began flapping and singing. It was kinda fun 🤣🤣🤣

[@takashiemota9784]

We need an upgraded Billy now!! It's time!!

[@ThermionicValve]

Years ago, there was a company which sells various items to my previous employer. They left us samples so you can see and touch the items and if you are interested you fill in a form and later they delivered it to my employer. One of the items is Billy Base and a sample is on display. We kept pressing the button until it started screaming at us. We certainly broke it.

[@BoingBB]

My mate had a Billy. He took it over to the fishery where we used to fish. It had everyone in stitches. It was a catch & release fishery anyway. 😂

[@fishandshipsmusic7133]

I'm totally bingewatching StezStix Fix at the moment and this is one of the hardest to HEAR episodes... I mean, how not to become crazy at the 30est "HERE'S A LITTLE SONG I WROTE"

[@SumProject18]

Billy is such a legend! I have 3 of these fish.

[@StezStixFix]

He certainly is! I think I need to add more to my collection 🙂

[@connorsanimatronics4203]

I have three of them too edit I now have four

[@connorsanimatronics4203]

They made different models like catfish trouts and more

[@3headAzimuth]

it also works on adapter

[@ian3314]

Great video! Those zoom edits killed me

[@TokyoAzzA]

Great fix! …. but 17 minutes of this thing is enough to last me another 17 years without needing to see one again 😂!

[@RogueRestorationsLTD]

My wife loved it in her throat

[@mick0905]

I always wanted one too.

[@jonconlon5440]

Great Job, finally!!!!!!!!!! You didn't give up.

[@HarryYT22]

I fixed one of these during lockdown. Head gear in the motor was split causing the head not to work. Bought gears off eBay which were 9 tooth, took forever to get the gear on right but as I moved it closer to head worked again! Now he’s fully working!

[@StezStixFix]

Excellent! I imagine that's quite a common fault on these. Well done for rescuing your Billy from the scrap! 🙂

[@HarryYT22]

WilliePlayz When replacing the gear I find it hard to put the new gear onto the shaft as my hands aren’t as good for gripping onto things sometimes. After my repair was successful I repaired another one named Rockin Singing Bass that had the same problem and that worked very nicely! Knockoff fish aren’t sometimes as good as the original as for cheap wiring and gears. I’ve got into singing fish for years and I still watch videos of them to this day, wish I got more but unfortunately it’s space issues. I’m in a house where everything can’t be put on the wall so the fish are on the floor standing up.

[@HarryYT22]

WilliePlayz I was thinking that but it has been years since I’ve filmed my fish and other things in the collection. I just never liked the bullying or the comments I gotten about can you fix this or fix that? Now I’m almost a master at fixing fish but not all of them. There’s one person which I think has an amazing collection, Lakewi44’s collection is sick! :)

[@notmenotme614]

8:00 This is like resuscitating a dead fish with a defibrillator.

[@towerofresonance4877]

I just subscribed! I remember looking at one of these after my grandfather died after catching a 56 pound bass in Rhode Island! Just a few years ago, my Uncle, his son, caught a record bass at just 7 pounds under that. Now he's retired. I'm 36 and hoping to catch another ancient crab in Maine!

[@stephencresswell4760]

I hated these 20 years ago and I hate them more now. Thank you so much for making me listen to those two sodding songs. I hoped I’d never have to go through it again.

[@PredictedCyborg]

I laughed when you couldn't get it to stop. xD You fixed it a little too well at that point!

[@Yourmomgoestocolledge]

When I see this I think of The Sopranos and Tony beating the hell outta Georgie with it at the strip club after it reminded him of Big Puss. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Retro_andy_1977]

Just bought one myself.sadly all his battery contacts are rusted out so need to replace these first Dammit he will live again! Great video

[@garrycowan4394]

Was just waiting on it still to be working after you removed the batteries 😂

[@Segafishy]

Like many a 90s kid I wanted one of these, haven't yet got one but one day I will. I'd want to try and find a way to make him work with other songs as well as upgrade the audio as I think a lot of the irritance came from repitition and taking that out of the equastion would likely make old Billy more likeable.

[@mazinz2]

There used to be online instructions years ago to hack and change the audio (while keeping the mouth in sync). I have it here on one of my old archive discs

[@ianrendall]

Love the background music. Reminds me of Ridge Racer Type 4 and Gran Turismo 2

[@TanookiSuit]

I wonder if this could get a sequel, since you said to mod it would be a choice. Speaker, amp, sure, what about some bypass to add a lot more music tracks and some routine for it to pick up on the mouth/tail motion depending on what happens in the tune. Billy could go into GB of musical awareness.

[@danielwhite2231]

If the button is pushed in it crashes it until the button is no longer making the connection. Big mouth Billy bass also has sensor on the front which is motion activated, which also triggers it.

[@onebadcar]

8:12 as it started singing, he just standing there.

[@adewssidevideos4680]

I love these things, great repair!

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you! Yes, it's a thing of beauty for sure. So glad I could revive him!

[@benwilliams2469]

@@StezStixFix hi i have 50 of these fish and i collect them i went to goodwill this weekend and was hoping i would find one of these and i was shopping and my brother came over to me and said look what i found and it was a big mouth billy bass and bought it for 3 dollars and i didnt expect it to work got it and it fully functions and it works great and i was shocked but what is crazy is i missed another one by 30 minutes that same day and i was so dissapointed i missed out on 2 but i got 1 out of 2 and it works perfect

[@Dark_eVader]

I knew there was something "fishy" with that item. Good thing you dodged it. 😂

[@vernonzehr]

i still have the one i bought when they first came out. hanging on to it so i can mod it to use my own audio. can’t believe it’s only been 20 some years. feels much longer.

[@andrewsmith1520]

I was hoping you were going to hack it and turn it into a dancing and singing blue tooth speaker. Maybe a revisit? I loved your Alexa hack you did into an old 70's bed side radio! BTW, I jsut discovered your channel earlier this week and I can't stop watching. Great stuff!

[@thadofalltrades]

Oh the nostalgia

[@VibrantMotion]

Rotary lit disco ball (maybe a moterized Christmas tree ball all) possibly a led lighting up the face on an arm too for those nightime lights off encounters.

[@1978garfield]

You need to mod this. Suggestions: Sam Kinison scream Gansta rap Machine Gun sound effects Vomiting noises. What would be even better is if you set it up to work normally for the first 50 or so presses and then randomly start inserting the "bonus features".

[@ClassicTrialsChannel]

Still have one somewhere. I bought it for my mum lol it was next to the front door and it frightened the gran kids

[@colynman]

i really wish they continued production of these and made more new ones everyone loves and collects them even my stepfather loves them and wants any of them theres very few fish they made of these it be awesome if they did ones of all the fish i mean they could of if they kept it up but they stopped in the late 90s early 2000 i can't remember really when and they focused making other things the company is still around to this day

[@matthewscott2354]

When it started playing and you just froze 😂😂😂

[@Youmemichael]

It was def not brand new. Its been opened before. I could tell immediately when I saw the skin wasn't as shiny as its supposed to be when it's new. You can also see a price sticker mark so its most likely a thrift store find that they just repackaged and called new. The eye is also green, which is on the blue top box version, but somehow you got it in a green box.

[@StezStixFix]

Well spotted! Yes, I think you're right on all counts.

[@cardboardcrazydownunderc2367]

I couldn’t stop laughing when it starting going off, I haven’t seen one of these I could see how it would be fun after a few drinks!

[@MLB9000]

As an added bonus you can also make a fish-shaped jelly with the plastic cover

[@nickblacksoul4318]

I got my one too and fixed it , played with a bit after that I moved and poor billy got smack around and now is in storage

[@kennethbarker852]

1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth👍👍👍

[@FoxyRoxy988]

Mine is 23 years old 1999 and he still sings

[@josephlewis7267]

You brought him back to life just by messing with the red button contact and the logic board

[@m1k3l1f3]

I'm so glad these things aren't gifted anymore to people hahaha

[@wiggy858]

Connect it up to a Amazon Dot , so that the mouth moves when you ask Alexa question.

[@philash824]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[@ravefire1736]

Nice video

[@blucklightfoxartinnovation9357]

i own one of them great video

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks! Yeah, I have 2 of them now 😊

[@stefanschneider3681]

Another fun one. Stupid little piece of sh**, but combined with probably some teenage-memories I can understand your motivation 🤣! Well done!

[@Zombytes]

Steve: "Heck yeah, ima get me a billy bass, itll be funny for a few minutes!" But: Turns out the thing is cursed, and Steves stuck with a singing billy bass that WONT STOP, and only plays 2 songs.. for eternity. Lmao. The ebay seller was just happy to get rid of his curse, and passed in onto the next person on ebay...

[@OOOHBILLY]

We gave my dad one of those many years ago.

[@alishakir1513]

That trout was plaster-of-Paris.

[@billy-waynejeffcoat4828]

Now you just need 3 more of these things to wire them up to play sea shanty

[@dcidaves3119]

nice

[@roryshackleton8591]

Think this would have been so much fun to see if you could get the mini alexa working through the fish...

[@MrBumlicker]

All those batteries just to power that little motor (crazy)

[@user-zo9dc1lu3q]

I used to have the same exact model back in the early 2000's. Then i lost it. Then in 2010/11 i find a clone of the original singing fish ... and i "fried it" with a bad transformer 😅

[@headrushindi]

Several years later, Walmart sold a singing Moose head which was a hoot too.

[@gartut200]

Jeez they were everywhere in the early 2000's

[@Mizai]

i love this fish

[@trainman476]

Btw the switch is for the motion sensor

[@simonlunt353]

Steve I sometimes wonder about you 🤣🤣 but an entertaining video 👍

[@waytospergtherebro]

"Always check continuity with voltage present." -Nobody

[@JeremyLeePotocki]

Combining it with Amazon Alexa would be fun, and funny.

[@RMarie62]

Lights speaker's would be fantastic do an update

[@mikebowers7161]

I don’t know which is worse, always off or always on!!

[@Dervv_430]

This is the cheaply made sun star model because of the green eyes the normal gemmy models have brown eyes and the on and off switch is for the motion sensor not the button.

[@StezStixFix]

Thabks Collector. Yeah I worked out the switch afterwards, didn't realise st the time but it makes perfect sense now! Interesting detail on the eyes, thanks for letting me know! I'll keep an eye 👁 out for that in future! 😊

[@marklatimer7333]

Nostalgia? - 1999 was only yesterday .

[@josephlewis7267]

I think you might have had the fish on sensor mode that's why it kept on running I had one of those before

[@Popeyes66]

Put in a bluetooth receiver inside Billy, adjoined to a 3watt amp and usb input.

[@StezStixFix]

Now, that I can do. If I could get him to also flap around whilst singing some Backstreet Boys, that would be the ultimate.

[@Popeyes66]

Will wait for the modded Billy in a future vid of yours. Good luck with your channel.

[@randomswedishdude]

"it doesn't work" "So, that's good..."

[@ovalwingnut]

I don't know if I ever thought that it was that funny, back then... BUT I DO NOW. It might have something to do with senility :O)

[@ET_AYY_LMAO]

I have an idea, you can make it possessed by connecting it to a buck converter and cranking down the voltage till it browns out.

[@mK_Dx]

Put Alexa on it, when Alexa talks the fish looks at you.

[@MrBumlicker]

Perhaps it could be modded so you could put in your own recording like cry me a river or slip sliding away or the most famous one " Like A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER "

[@dash8brj]

Put an arduino in it along with a sound module and add more songs to it - it looks like the motor turns one way to slap the tail, and the other for the fish to face out and move the mouth. The arduino could be easily programmed to select a random song on the sound module, yet still know which songs playing so it can slap the tail and move the mouth to the lyrics :) edit: turns out theres 3 motors, even easier to control. One runs the jaw, one runs the tail and the third runs the front half of the fishs' body.

[@zeb3144]

lol-i still have mine on a shelf.

[@benpenguin7382]

I don’t know if you ever realised that the switch on the back doesn’t turn it off it just turns the motion sensor on or off

[@ianmartin6023]

Why did the resistor come loose though ? I'd love to see it after you pimped it.

[@simongs99]

I have got one of these lol mine not working as something rattling around in my mine. plus the batteries leaked corroded the metal in battery compartment

[@JimLahey21]

I remember these haha gold

[@braydenstafford3634]

Maby a little kid dropped it in a river 🤣🤣

[@joeking1157]

"whats the world coming to when you cant trust an ebay seller?", haha, indeed!.

[@keithkuhn6404]

any idea where I can find dual C Battery Spring Plates for the central two batteries? These seem to be very rare.

[@beth7467]

It's a....liiiiivvvveeee!

[@cheapnoise9014]

You should add an output port.

[@StezStixFix]

Good idea! 👍

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Them things used to make me cry with laughter.

[@cyborg7898]

15:22 - I wanna know, Steve, can you help me? I'd love to stay, so please re-solder my resistor. 😉

[@sonnyjimm23]

That first close up of Billy's face singing had me nearly pishing my pants mate. 😂 🤣Brilliant editing. 👍