NO ARMADILLOS...

...were harmed in the manufacture of this funny wee instrument!

In the "good old days" the body of a charango was provided by the carapace of an armadillo!

PC'ness has put a stop to this practice  - I'm glad for the armadillos -  also glad because the stiff, hairy texture of an armadillo's carapace is extremely unpleasant to the touch.

Have a look at the extra & you'll see this one has been carved out of a solid piece of mahogany far better all round...

Had to re-glue the bridge - doddle - & put on new strings - right bugger job!