Will,
Thank you so much for your time, advice, and encouragement. You closed with "Never Give In, Never Surrender" and "Stay Safe." I have a framed poster of Winston Churchill overlaid with "Never, Never, Never, Give Up" on a wall in my combination home office and listening room. Despite that, I was getting close to giving up until you replied. BTY, I left out mentioning that I did make the mods all at once. After my failure, I watched all the videos again and carefully wrote out the step-by-step guide above. Then I stripped it down, ordered all new resistors, etc. (except capacitors) and re-did it --with the same result. The orange wire I burnt has continuity, but I will replace it and follow your recommendations. It will take awhile because I have not yet retired even though I'm 65.
Again, I can't thank you enough!
David