Hi Chet, I bought a charango last year in Bolivia, I have no idea, where you would get it in Europe (where are you from?). I have to adresses of music-stores in LaPaz that might help: calle sagarnaga 303, tel. 368050 and calle linares 900, tel. 355776 (no names, just the street). Strings? There plastic, lenght 37 cm, guitar strings might do? Tuning: 1. double high e, 2. double a, 3. high and low e, 4. double high c, 5. double g. Instructions: Ernesto Cavour is quite famous for Charango schools ("Aprenda tocar charango con Ernesto Cavour"), if you don´t find anything here, try the above adresses, or I might send you some copies. Hope this is any help to you - good look, it´s a nice instrument, Daniel