Thanks folks. I do appreciate getting pieces of the puzzle, but more the shared knowledge and encouragement of this group. There's always a tinge of doubt when you lay out hundreds of dollars for these relics, and the mutual appreciation you all share for fine guitars helps wash away the inevitable creep of buyers remorse. I've been tempted by some newer old M20's, but the real old guitars get my wheels turning. Then the list of questions begins and back and forth with the seller.
I put the finishing touches on one of the bone prototype saddles I have and it fit nicely into the slot, but that buzz wouldn't go away on 4,5,and 6. I started looking at the nut and thought I might have to shim it slightly to help with the diagnosis, but I started to suspect the low tension of the silk and steel strings that came with it. The problem disappeared immediately when it was strung with the T-Infelds, so now I'm in cruise gear. Even though they're 11's, and tuned down a whole step, the bass strings cleared the frets beautifully...2mm. Just enough pull on the neck angle I guess. Tuned down like this, I'm sure it could take 12's, but that can wait.
I've been polishing my version of the beautiful Elvis Costello's 'Alison', just right for this little guitar, and when I found the tutorial for the intro it turned a day I should have been getting the house together for Thursday's invasion of the family, into a day of playing my new 'small'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aCugB5GDDI
I recently saw the amazing Molly Tuttle up close in the intimate arena of the Cooperstown Concert Series and can't stop working on my picking range and hand speed. A good day...and it's almost cocktail hour. Maybe a perfect day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awFeDMNiKX4