Neck movement. Not sure what the neck joint is there, but it's either loose or failing (or both).
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Yes, on solid body electrics with a set neck. A lot going on there. The neck has come unglued from the pocket, pulled up and separated from the extension. I wonder if the neck was finished before being glued in and there is lacquer in the joint instead of a wood to wood joint. I don't know what the hole is in the body but your frets are in need of crowning.
It's the infamous "time to shop for a better mandolin" syndrome. Seriously Nev, if you're going to play mandolin, you need/deserve something better.
Appears to be a bolt-on neck joint? Might need to loosen strings, fill worn screw holes with toothpicks, dowels, glue -- then shim and tighten. You may need to glue fingerboard extension back down. Then adjust action.
Is this neck extension normal
Is it possible to get a full picture of the body?
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
A good complete set of photos all round, back and front and also some less close up would almost certainly aid things. Give a better idea of the construction.
But yes, neck extensions are quite normal. Others with more experience, preferably with more photos will be better placed than me to comment on whether yours is unsatisfactory.
I see no reason why you wouldn't attempt the repair, you have very little to lose and a whole lot to gain. The value of the instrument is in your history with it and that's a personal value that can't really be put into numbers. I'm not surprised at how they built it actually, I am surprised it actually broke. It shouldn't have to bear any real pressure but it probably did. If the neck seats well into the body pocket I'd probably shave a bit off the bottom of the extension so it didn't even touch the top but that's just me. Good luck with it.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
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