I've changed several caps including the input cap , without much effect . The bass control works its just more subtle than the mid or treble. As far as IC's go
I'm no expert but i believe it is just how JohnK used the circuits within the IC so it doesn't matter in which order they are. The transistors are J201 , Q1 is the furthest left diagonally between the 2 IC , Q2 is next , to the right of the tl071 , Q3 has the 1k connected to S, Q4 is directly above and Q5 is the farthest right. good luck
ps , the triple wreck is a different circuit so I'm not sure its a fair comparison , I just used it for reference .