I have a quick question about an issue that seems to be occurring with my mandolin. A year ago, I purchased a "The Loar" LM-600-VS from Steve Perry of Gianna's violins. I took her to Scotland on tour with my group and played it all the time at gigs and pub sessions. Although, when I got home, I noticed it had been taking some heat. The heel/neck connection appeared to have a finish crack which now goes up a considerable amount on the seam between the neck and its connection to the soundbox. I did not, however, take the instrument to Canada for two weeks of chamber music camp. While I was away, it hung on the wall of the temperature-controlled living room, along with my other mandolins and my guitars in my non-smoking house. When I got home though (about two weeks ago) the action had risen considerably, starting at about the 5th fret. The neck is starting to curve inward from the dovetail joint, which I assume is the cause of the finish crack at the heel. I'm afraid that finish crack may also indicate the neck separating from the back. This crack is about a millimeter above the binding, and I fear it could be a big problem, strange to find for the structural integrity this specific instrument has boasted since its purchase.
Could these problems be due to the weather? Or is there another explanation.. for the last 5 or so months, I've been using medium gauge coated Elixir's, and have changed them every 3 weeks to month, depending on how much I play the mando. I have not touched the bridge, nut, truss rod, or adjusted the height of the saddle. I can send pictures if that would help make more sense of my question.
Thanks all!
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