i posted a new thread for the problem, but it looks like i have a fix. I bypassed the section of the amp that contains the graphic EQ. The eq board itself was not the problem, but it looks like it was one of the transistors ( there are 4). If you want to try to see if this might be your problem as well ( i really have gone through everything else at this point).
The main thing, patching my guitar into the FX return, there was no hum, so i know the power amp section was intact, and the problem was isolated to the preamp. Coming from both master volumes for each channel, they lead into an Orange Drop cap that is rated at .01. This cap is right behind the second to left EQ slider ( this is on the main board, but the orientation, looking from the front and top of the amp) The cap is also just to the side of the 4 transistors. If you clip the inner leg of this capacitor,you can bypass the entire section. I have foot long cables with aligator clips on each end that make this easy work.
With the inner leg of the cap clipped, i connected to open end of the cap to the left prong on the FX wet pot. Turned the amp on. The volume was considerably lower, and i am not sure why, but there was no hum on either channel. I then decided to remove the aligator clip from the free cap leg. and attach it to the front leg that was still attached to the board. The hum was still gone, and the volume had returned a bit more, enough to make me confident enough to order new transistors from mouser ( they are like 80 cents a piece..if this is the answer i will die at the 250 i have already spent tracking this down.
After this i disconnected my test wires and reconnected the open cap. The amp was back to full volume and the hum was back. I will post what happens after i install the transistors...if that doesnt work...im either going to sell the amp, or only use it for the power amp...which i have to say sounds pretty good behind a couple of my pedals.
