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Thread: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Hello mandolin world!

    I just noticed tonight a strange indentation on the side of my mandolin. It seems to run parallel to the binding on the bass side of the rim (it's an a style, but the dented area is a similar location to where the scroll would be on an f style). I've never dropped anything onto it and it lives in a Calton when I'm not playing it; however, it sees a lot of playing throughout my workday. Perhaps it is a side effect of weather on a varnish finish. I wondered if anyone else has ever had this occur. It seems to be cosmetic as I can only clearly see it under the light and feel it with my fingers, but just wanted to check to see if it is a sign of a more serious issue.

    Thanks for any insight you can provide.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Good photos would make the likelihood of decent advice far greater.

  3. #3
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Size? Depth? Picture? Make & model? Adding specifics (even, or maybe especially, your location) tends to get folks more involved and likely to jump in. And once one jumps, then it can become "who let the lemmings out?"
    - Ed

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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    It might be that at the point where the edge binding & sidewood meet,the binding wasn't completely touching the wood,leaving a tiny gap for the finish to migrate into.
    I have maybe a similar thing on my Ellis "A" style. If you look just underneath the 'x' in the pic.at the end of the edge binding,you'll see a tiny line where the top & side meet. It's simply what i call a 'witness line',
    Ivan
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  6. #5

    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Thanks to those of you who responded. Ivan, my mandolin does have the lines forming in the same spot as your Ellis, however, the issue it more of an indent than a visible line. It is hard to photograph as there isn't really a crack or scratch, just a small valley of about 2" that has formed parallel to the binding on the side. There is a space of about a cm between where the binding joins with the wood and the dent.

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    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Maybe it's growing a scroll!
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    I'm pretty sure it's a symptom of Scroll Envy.
    Don

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    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Is the indentation about the width of the space between the top and back kerfing on the insides of the sides?

    Steve
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  13. #9

    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    It seems possible that it could be along the line of the kerfing that connects the back to the sides.

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    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strange Indentation on Side of my Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by HarrisonMandolin View Post
    It seems possible that it could be along the line of the kerfing that connects the back to the sides.
    That's what I suspected. That happens a lot, though I've seen it on guitars, mostly. Probably nothing to worry about, just wood movement.

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