Some info on the charango on this site, as well as some info about armadillos. The charango is what makes that bright high-pitched strumming sound in Andean music. And every charango player I've ever seen (well, both of them) has always had a big grin on his face while he was playing, which is one reason I want to learn to play it! Not all charangos are made from armadillo shells. It's said, though, that an armadillo has to go to a conservatory for five years to study to become a charango.

Aloha,
Mark