Godin sinking top

[SoreArm]

I need help because I have a Godin mandolin (flat top, electric) and the top has sunken down somewhat. If I put a straight edge across the top near the bridge, we see the top has sunken down in the 1/8th inche amount or so.

Does anyone else have a mandolin of this make, and have you experienced such an occurence? Does anyone have any advice as to whether such a sunken mandolin top can be repaired?

[Mattg]

It may be that it is due to a dryer environment. Braced flattops curve inward when they dry out. Drying and shrinkage occur more across grain than along the grain. I'm not sure how the Godin in braced but surely they run somewhat perpindicular to the grain of the top. So effectly the top will pull against the braces and the top will curve inward.

I put a very short adjustable bridge on my flattop cause I run an evap cooler in the summer and forced air heat in the winter here in Colorado. Hugh humidity differential.

[Richard H]

Sorearm,
There may be an old thread on this subject. I bought a new Godin, December 2002, and by February 2003 the top had sunk, giving me a nice, low action.

It was a great-sounding mandolin. However, the guy I talked to at Godin couldn't tell me what exactly their "limited warranty" guaranteed. If, for instance, the top collapsed after one or two years, would they replace the mandolin? He couldn't say.

So I sent it back to the music-store in Canada and got a replacement. It's never sounded quite as nice and its top has also sunk like the other.

I'm hoping it will stabilise and not go any further but that's as far as I can help you. If you bought it new, it would be wise to let the store know in writing and get their advice in case you need to claim later.
Good luck

[mythicfish]

Check for loose braces, try lighter strings, chalk it up to experience.

Curt

[mandroid]

If , as above, everythings sound , top just changed shape under tension and humidity, the
neck is a bolt on, and so you can adjust the action there , to low , though counter intuitive, shave off a bit , too high , as I did , add a bit of shim spacers , [brings the neck up under the strings]..