Ampeg Gemini II G-15 vibrato non-operational

[sleepingAwake]

Hello folks.

Well I'm still learning so I thought I would see if anyone has some ideas.

I picked up a Gemini II and I'm having some trouble getting the Vibrato working.
As a side note all electrolytic caps have been replaced(and boy did it need it).

I made a vibrato bug using the existing neon lamp (works) and the photoresistor from a Vactrol unit VTL5C1.

The vibrato functions if I click the intensity switch all the way to the right bypassing the pot and engaging the switch attached to the pot.
The vibrato also functions when I probe the neon lamp for voltage and when I power the amp down. Weird I know.

I tried swapping the tube for a known working 12AX7.
All solder joints involved have been reflowed and all resistors have been checked and are within spec.
Pin 6 of V7 is 125V when on and 190V when vibrato is off.
Pin 8 of V7 is also within spec but I cant remember the reading off-hand(dont feel like running down to the basement and checking for the millionth time again).

[sleepingAwake]

I may have answered my own question.
Lets see if anyone has anything to add after this.

In my previous post I mentioned that when I checked the voltage at the neon bulb leads the vibrato kicked in.
Well that got me thinking. So I placed a 1M ohm resistor across the bulb leads and the vibrato works. I went all the way down to 470K ohm before the volume cuts out when the vibrato effect is on.

So lowering the intensity of the bulb has shown me its probably my homemade vibrato roach. The Vactrol photo resistor must be in to low of a resistance range to be effective.
So much for someone else saying it would work. I suppose it could work if I throw that resistor in there...

[Jazz P Bass]

Hey, whatever it takes.

[sleepingAwake]

Hey, whatever it takes.

Yeah but I cant help but wonder how far off my amp will sound from a stock configuration. That being said I couldn't justify $35 for a replacement. Mine cost $8.

[stokes]

I was going to suggest getting the proper replacement,but if you dont/cant pay the $35 then like Jazz said,If it works...

[sleepingAwake]

Yeah I settled on a 470k resistor across the bulb.
It has given me lots of depth without a volume drop.

I think the increased line voltage of today has an effect on this style tremolo circuit as well.
Makes me wonder about the lack of depth on my friends twin and what I can do to help.

[stokes]

I've found that 9 times out of ten when there is weak trem in Fenders and ampeg if a tube isnt the issue,its usually the "roach".Besides that about the only thing to do is just change the 3 caps in the oscillator circuit.Trem circuits are quite simple.