Wooden soundboards and backs, when joined bookmatched, are often stronger at the joint than in the surrounding wood. Most instrument backs have a thin reinforcement running the length of the joint, extending a quarter inch or more into the wood on either side of the joint.
When you get a stable, strong joint in a thin piece of wood, often there will be a point where the internal stresses (wood is dynamic, even years after it has been cured) may force a fracture. If the fracture is not clear through, which I suspect it isn't, as Alden and Cali certainly know their stuff and I would suspect that the reinforcement in the center of the back is still very much intact, then the failure is unfortunate, but cosmetic. I don't think I would worry too much about 'pieces falling off' of one of their instruments, and I am sure they will find a way to make things right for you. Chris *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 5/8/2007 at 11:12 PM Reaping Crone wrote: >Dear Alden and Cali, > >Very curious: my Orca (which I have raved about on the HG list) has >somehow >very quietly developed a crack in the back panel: it goes along the joint >where two pieces are apparently glued together. > >This instrument has never been dropped or even bumped: I've treated it >like >a BABY and I have no idea how something like this could have developed. >But >sure enough: I brought it out of its bag today to record, and the crack is >very obviously there. It must have occurred while inside the bag, which >has >been sitting on the soft couch in my studio (free from harm). > >What do you propose that I do? The recording sounded fine, but I am >concerned that things might start to fall off or something. Has this ever >happened with the Orca model before? > >Please let me know -- meanwhile I am sending you all my best wishes, as >ever. > >Sincerely, > >Michael Laird > >_________________________________________________________________ >Now you can see troubleĀ before he arrives >http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_protection_0507
