SongBob:

The intonation of the bridge bone is as much to accomodate the different diameter of the steel strings as anything else. Classical strings have less variation in diameter and thereb fore need little or no intonation.

Your MayBell guitar was given away as a prize for selling seeds according to a guitar historian I met once. I have a Maybell too. Mine was turned into a dobro clone years back with the help of a resonator and bridge I found someplace.

Kris,

Brace shaping is a common occurance in the guitar voicing biz. But be delicate. Don't use a blade to shape the braces, use medium sandpapre glued to a piece of wood. Forces you to go slow. Lets not hurry as we potentially damage an old Martin, or even a good guitar like a Guild. ( snicker, snicker)

Don