Suggest you consult offthread with Catter Don Meixner, who has had good experience with retrofitting people and/or instruments to restore playing ability. No stories-- problem-solving.

Suggest further that you consider the Mudcat Auction so that you can be sure it goes to a good home. Some Mudcatters making transatlantic trips have transported auctioned instruments when they've been auctioned. I have two; they arrived in GREAT shape and I believe at no cost to the person who helped Mudcat by toting them.

~Susan