about 2 -3/4" of and inch down from the top of the gong was were it seemed to be amassing from, the whole bamboo was glowing though nothing as of yet has melted. When I turned off the unit and unplugged it the bamboo was still glowing bright orange.
That's where the heater is wrapped, and completely normal to see a glow from that area. I can usually see a glow on mine for several minutes after it's turned off (depending on how high I had the temp set).
Where did you have the dial set when you unplugged it?
After I finish a session (3 o'clock on my unit), I can turn the EVO off and still see a sizable glow where the heater is wrapped. Depending on the lighting, I can look at the male joint on top and catch some of the glow. However, if you actually look down the bamboo, you can see the joint isn't glowing at all. The glow's really just down where the heater is, and maybe an inch from it too?
When you say the whole bamboo was glowing, was the top joint definitely glowing bright orange, or could have been similar to what I described above? Just catching it at the right angle/light, allows some of the glow to "appear" to be at the joint.
If the joint itself was actually glowing hot, then something is definitely wrong though.
Does your bamboo look warped at all?
Without seeing your unit, I couldn't say for certain. But to me it sounds pretty normal from what you've described thus far.
You have to imagine how much heat it takes to get the glass hot enough to heat the air passing though it for us to vaporize with.