"I would just replace those 3 transistors since it's a pain to get at them and hopefully be done with it!"
Sorry for all the questions and my main goal is to get the amp working properly again but Im curious to know... would the quality or transistors effect tone in the power amp circuit or in just this circuit? Ive been doing a search on transistors being sold, looking at NOS Germanium transistors available which are probably 3 times the price of the standard that I bought from radio shack several years ago. Don't mean to open a whole other can of worms but Im just thinking in terms of keeping the great tone the amp had before it went south. If it doesn't matter then great! but if it does I would be happy to go extra couple $ and get the NOS.
"For voltage test purposes I have long 3 wire extension leads that I solder in that start off in Molex connectors so I do not have to fret about them shorting out to each other."
Great idea, the set of leads Im using are pretty old and kinda bent up, I could modify them to work on these hard to reach transistors and buy a new set of leads, thanks!