Newbie post and new mandolin: finish crack or something worse?

[jawchops79]

Hello - first-time poster and brand new to the mandolin world. I've been playing guitar for about 30 years now and wanted to branch out a bit.

I bought a used Kentucky KM380S from GC; I actually think there was a post about this particular mandolin! I received it yesterday, and while inspecting it, noticed a crack in the neck where it joins the body - see pictures.

Does this look just a surface crack in the finish, or does it potentially indicate an issue where the neck is separating from the body? Is this a common issue?



I think I have up to 45 days to return it, and just want to make sure I don't end up keeping an instrument with some serious structural issues!

Thanks in advance.

[Ray(T)]

Welcome to the forum.

The neck appears to have moved slightly and the dovetail joint may be loose. It may stay that way for years but, on the other hand, you could end up having to have the neck re-set. I certainly wouldn't be happy with it and, if you have the option to return it, my advice would be to do so ASAP.

[Gary Leonard]

Send it back. That's more than a surface crack.

[Paul Busman]

That should have been disclosed before you bought it.Send it back: there are plenty of fish in the sea!
Welcome to the mandolin world, BTW.

[jawchops79]

Thanks everyone. Glad I checked and glad I asked! Sounds like it needs to go back this weekend.

[Folkmusician.com]

Finish cracks at the neck joint are not a big deal, but this is more than a finish crack.

[B381]

They have another....trade it.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Ke...0S-Mandolin.gc

[jawchops79]

Whoa...that's the one I returned! The store clerk said he would mark it as "cracked" in the system, but I wouldn't describe the condition as "good," and I'd probably reduce the price.

[DHopkins]

One of the important things here is "G," as in "GC," as in "Guitar Center," with the operative word being "Guitar."