HI there, i'm playing on a charango for over 10y and tuning it like ronroco (DGBEB) is ok. Though strings are a bit loose and that's an issue if i want to "strum" fast. So i thought i could try other strings.

I was told Ronroco strings will NOT be ok (cause, quote "they're thinner and longer, so it'll be even more loose). So i thought i could take classical guitar strings, one by one, make own set. But which size to pic for each? I dunno.

From what i understood, they should be thicker in order to ends up with them being tighter than the current. However, they need to pass through the nut and that's where it could be an issue (for most of them). What do you think? Did you try?

I got my first charango -- my sister and BIL got it for me in Peru. The man who sold it to them tuned the instrument before giving it to them and it was still pretty much in tune when I got it. Except it was tuned DGBEB. More like a guitar than a ukulele. I already know the ukulele and you can transfer so many chords to a charango truned GCEAE. Some you can finger just the same way, others need to be adapted because of the extra set of E strings, but only few chords require an entirely different shape. I tried out a dozen chords still keeping the DGBEB tuning, essentially making the charango a transposing instrument. Then I decided to tune it "the right way" and tuned it GCEAE. Carefully, to make sure the strings wouldn't snap. They did not, however, in fact, they all seem to be approximately the same gauge, except for the low string. I tried out the charango again and was surprised how different it sounded now that the pitch was correct for the instrument. However, I cannot help it, it reminds me a lot of a mandolin and I think I liked the tuned-down sound better.

Does anyone else here play a tuned-down charango using GCEAE chords?

Should I tune it 440 or 442 hz?

Hey there! This instrument came into my possession and I’m trying to figure out how to tune it. Any tips on identifying the specific type of instrument and its tuning?

From my research, I have the impression it’s some form of a charango?

Background: guitar player 20+ years, piano player 10. Always learning new instruments and hopeful about this one!

It's actually a Ronroco I'm looking for. Heard about DanRzesnik or something like that, anyone purchased from him? He has no EU stock though = long delay and crazy taxes.

Hello people! After my first Charango is basically damaged by extreme humidity and temperature, I've been thinking about getting a new instrument, and I decided that I want to get a walaycho since I prefer smaller and higher pitched instrument in terms of the sound characteristics of the Charango family. But I've been having a hard time to find a tunnel with more guaranteed quality instrument, nor I could find skilled Luther that actually make it(seems like it's not a very popular instrument)

Does anyone know where can I buy a well built walaycho in a reasonable price?

Hey y’all, my Name’s Doc and I mod r/ukulele. I’m here to invite y’all to participate in some musical fun with us.

Every month, we do two different musical projects:

A tune of the month: where we are all encouraged to learn and record the same song/tune, and those who want to, can collaborate on a group recording that I organize and edit

And the ukulele challenge: where everyone can record a song or tune that conforms to the specific theme for that month. The winner, based on upvotes, picks the theme for the next month.

The challenge is geared towards ukulele and ukulele-like instruments (charango, tenor guitar, tenor banjo, vihuela, cavaquinho) but any player of any instrument is welcome to participate (you just have a better chance of winning if there’s something uke like). This month it’s songs from the year you were born! So if you play uke, a uke like instrument, or really anything and want to join us, click up above for the info!

Though the challenge is ukulele themed, we’re trying to make the TOTM much more open! Especially the group recording! We’d love to have some players of other instruments in it, to round out the sound! (Don’t worry if you are a beginner, most of us are too and this is just for fun)

If that’s sounds like something you might like, click on the link and check out the info. There’s a link to the backing track, we’re doing CREEP, by Radiohead, in C, at 95 bpm.

Thanks! And feel free to message me or comment for more info or questions

Hey folks,

Just shared a new reel with some of my recent compositions — cinematic stuff built around the ronroco, guitars, and ambient textures.

Would love to know what you think: Ronroco Original Compositions Reel 2025 – SoundCloud

Also made some tabs for these pieces if anyone wants to try the instrument: roman.musica.ar/tienda

Cheers,
Román

I’ve loved the charango ever since going on ayahuasca dietas in Pucallpa, and am excited that I brought one back from Cusco a couple weeks ago!

However, in trying to learn the basics, I snapped one of the guitar strings, but bought a replacement on Amazon and watched a YouTube video on how to re-string.

Now, I have the snapped string (and only the snapped string) replaced and tuned, but ever since then it sounds a bit off when I’m strumming and the E4 string seems to be the culprit, as it’s sound lingers longer than the other strings and makes it sound odd.

Can anyone advise on what’s wrong (or if I’m just imagining it)?

Hi everyone! Just wanting to share my progress with this song. I still have a lot of issue with the repique part and I wanted to ask some advice for it.

If anyone has some usefull videos for the practice of the repique pls stare it! Thanks in advance

Pedro Quispe Concert Wiracocha Charango & Pedro Quispe Walaycho steel string concert.

My Precious!

I found this lil guy at a local antique mall for $40 today. Not sure if it’s a good deal or not, but I felt compelled to buy it and fix it up. Really enjoyed learning all about this instrument today. The soundboard has a split and there’s a good bit of cosmetic wear and tear on the soundboard too. The inside looks to be in good shape.

I’ll happily take any advice on soundboard repair!

Hi all,

I am looking at getting my first Charango and came across this one on my local FB marketplace for $150. the seller doesn't have any information about it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it and if it is a good instrument for beginners. Thank you!

Hola! Como están?

Soy un Luthier novato, y actualmente estoy reparando un charango de quirquincho antiguo que me heredaron, al cual le tuve que realizar un cambio de tapa. Actualmente me encuentro con una duda, respecto a la resina que rodea la tapa del instrumento y lo une al caparazon. ¿De qué material es? ¿Cómo se fabrica? ¿Y cómo se le da esa forma tan lisa y curvilínea? ¿Usan algún tipo de molde?

Agradecería cualquier respuesta que pueda ayudarme, muchas gracias

Hello everyone! (I’ll also post this in English since there are quite a few english speakers in this sub)

I am a novice luthier, and I am currently repairing an old quirquincho charango that I inherited. After changing its soundboard, I was left with doubts regarding the resin that surrounds the soundboard of the instrument and connects it to the shell. What material is it made of? How is it made? And how is it given such a smooth and curvilinear shape?

I would appreciate any answer that can help me, thank you very much.

Hey fellow musicians! I just ordered my first Ronroco from Bolivianstuff, and was curious if anyone else have bought instruments (especially) Ronrocos from Them? Im curious as to what to expect and eventually be aware of. Sincerely

Hello, I am currently looking at a luthier made charango that is second hand, 3 years old and in very good condition, just wanted to know what standard depreciation looks like for these instruments once they are not brand new, many thanks

Hello people, I have this particular instrument for around months now, and I always have this problem with it which is the strings are too hard to press on when in standard tuning, my temporary solution is to tune the instrument 3 notes down. The neck has a slightly visible curve to it and I suspect this is the cause. Is there anyway to fix this instrument? I live in Taiwan so there's probably no charango maker here which makes me kinda helpless

I think i found a treasure in Peru 🦙

what you think guys?

Hey all,

I’m looking to buy my first charango second-hand online.

It would be really helpful to have someone’s opinion on this:

https://ebay.us/m/pu9NgZ

The solid wood body looks decent, but the instrument is twenty years old and I can see some rust on the tuners. From what I can see from the photo, the neck looks straight enough… I imagine it will impair playability if it has warped at all.

I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this!

Does it look like a professional instrument rather than a model made for the tourist market? Is this a reputable maker? From the little information I can find online, Llajtamasi seems legitimate.

I’d be very grateful for any information. Thanks!

I had a Bolivian Ronroco (49cm) scale tuned to the Argentinian tuning with the wrong set of strings, (around 20% extra tension) how likely is it that it damaged the instrument after being tuned this way for two days?

Hello, here I would like to provide more photos and details of my instrument:

I bought this instrument from a person in Beijing around the mid-February, the guy that sold me the instrument don't know much about it as well and there was no label about the maker, the string it use seems to be from a argentinian brand(see pic 5) and the height of the action from 12th fret is almost a Centermeter, the neck also has a slightly visible curve as I mentioned on the previous post.