Alright, Im still real new myself but this is what I CAN offer. Your best to have it checked by a pro shop anyways. I bought an old Pearson from my buddy (who didnt know any better than I did.) I immediately threw a whisker buiscuit on. When I got down to the pro shop to have it properly sized I got a rude awakening. They told me it would be impossible to use that rest on my bow, or any "modern" rest because there was almost no center shot to the shelf. The bow was made to use a flipper rest. I had them do what was necassary to get the bow shooting, but I only use it as a practice bow and currently have a new bow on the way. BUT that does not mean your bow is in as bad a position as mine. Thats why I suggest at least having a pro look ar it. Odds are that if you put the rest on yourself it might need to be centerd anyways. And while there they will tell you a) if the bow is good enough for hunting (just be aware they would rather sell you a new bow, but they should be honest.) and b) wether you will need a new string or not.
If you do wind up needing a new bow the pro shop could probably set you up with a good used beginner rig cheap. I wound up spending close to $130 to get my bow tuned. When all was said and done the guy said he wished I had come in first cuz he would have been able to set me up with a better used rig for just $45 more.
Good luck,
Brian M.
