I'm a guitar and mandolin player, but after a trip to Peru last year, I've developed a fascination with what is known as the "mandolin of the Andeas".
While similar in size, it has 5 pairs of strings with a strange tuning. All pairs are tuned in unison like a mando, except for the middle pair which are an octave apart.
The general shape is bowlback, most modern charangos being made of wood. However the original charangos were made using an actual armadillo shell:
Charango Photos
I curious if anyone here has ever played one, or actually purchased/own one? I'm headed back to Peru later this year, and want to purchase one. However I have no idea what features to look for, or what might seperate a good quality charango from a piece of junk. I certainly won't be able to play it, since I have no idea how to do so, so it will be a bit of a gamble insofar as playability testing goes. I will likely ask somebody there to play them for me and I'll try judge the sound based on my "untrained charango ear."
If anyone has purchased one in South America (and I know it's probably a longshot), how much did you pay?
Thanks.
Kaz
-- "Taught myself to play so I could be where people dance" - Jim Cuddy
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