Must agree here!
Fresh strings make a big difference - didn`t you notice any rusting? Loss of shine on them?
Just adding to the advice already posted, a good guitar shop will usually have a tech who will do all the bridge, intonation adjustments, lose the fret buzz etc etc. - Its not expensive.
Great if you can learn to do it all yourself, but i reckon its easier to watch and learn than fiddle alone....
Thats a path i havent gone down yet, there are so many variables to consider, pickup height, bridge, nut, frets, tuning keys, blah, blah....
Good luck.