A couple weeks ago, I noticed my Northfield Calhoun has some warping in the top. One spot on the base side of the sound hole has developed a shallow crack. And it's hard to see in the photo, but there's a very slight dip to the base side of the top as well.
This is basically my first instrument, I'm using this to learn on, so I didn't know much about maintenance and care. I've had it just over a year now, play daily. It's not old and doesn't sit around unused for any period of time. I read around about similar issues, and I'm getting the idea this could be due to inadequate humidity. I had been keeping the mando out on a floor stand because I like to just pick it up and play throughout the day. And I live in a little old house in the South. Temperature and humidity swings in here can be a little extreme. So now it's in the case full time with a proper case humidifier.
I just don't know how concerned I should be this could get worse or cause further damage. Should I take this to a luthier and get it checked out? For now it is perfectly playable. Action is good, no buzzing or other issues. I sometimes see suggestions that this kind of warping can be from excessive string tension, but I've been using the strings it came with. Medium gauge, nothing crazy. And it's not an old bowl back. It's a newer instrument. Should I only use light strings on it, though?
Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. I've grown fond it, and I really don't want to neglect a serious issue that could render it unplayable.
Thanks!
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