An update-- even with just an outside-only hand-tightening, I got the jack problem fixed. Still not 100% tight, but the buzz is gone and it doesn't crackle or pop while playing. Cleaned up the neck and body, and put on an E string, seems to play fine, no dead spots or intonation probs, and didn't even tweak the bridge.
Found that Tele knob, so I'm good to go!
Will have to take some better pics next week. It's actually more a heritage cherry color than the brownish it appears above.