Looking at a name brand mandolin with a 5 - 8 inch crack (from memory) on it's side (mahogony back & sides)that I can get at a reasonable price. Figure I can get this repaired (glued) and have a good mando although I do have an Eastman 615 already. I realize this is limited info but will there be issues from a repaired side crack vs the typical top or bottom crack. Thanks RB250
Rick Lindstrom
Jan-22-2008, 6:29am
Yeah- mahogany is notoriously fragile and prone to cracking along the grain lines when thinned enough to make an instrument side. It usually is from an impact rather than environmental factors (in my experience anyway).
If the break is clean and the edges well aligned and closed, the fix will be relatively simple. It'd probably be a good idea to have whoever does it put a few cleats on the inside if they can.
Rick