I'm with Ploughman. I'd say that crack - or actually a separation of a single ply - has been there for a long time. As to the effect on the value: if you paid $700 and the rest of the drum is nice - I wouldn't worry about it. These drums went for 1-2K not too long ago. If it sounds good - who cares. This is a vintage drum. Unless you feel it has been covered up in some way. I own a 14" Rogers floor with scars all over the interior from someone nesting toms in it. Sounds like God's floor tom though. Rare drums. Great drums.