that suddenly overnight the soundboard had bowed sickeningly upwards
and the bridge had torn out leaving behind a mess
of fractured & splintered wooden laminate.>

That happened to my friends Eko 12 string. Any other Eko owners similarly affected?

BTW, graduated from lights (11/12 up) to mediums (13-56) on my S&P6. Tone, volume and sustain all improved. I've also put 13 18 30 42 on my bouzouki - marvellous.