Ronroco

Ronroco

String instrument
Classification	Necked bowl lutes String instruments
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	321.321-5
Developed	1968, but with roots back to the 18th century or earlier
Related instruments
Charango, Walaychu, Chillador, Ponputu, Khonkhota

The Ronroco (also spelt ronrroco) is a bass or baritone member of the charango family, with a 44–50-centimetre scale length. It was invented in 1968 by the brothers Gonzalo and Wilson Hermosa, of the group Los Kjarkas from Cochabamba, Bolivia, and spread to common usage during the 1980s. It was later in the 1990s and 2000s popularised further by Argentinian musician and composer Gustavo Santaolalla. It has 10 strings in 5 courses. They are always built from carved wood or bent sides (like modern charangos), never from an Armadillo shell (in the manner of older charangos).

Tunings

Common tunings include:

• D4 D4, G4 G4, B4 B3, E4 E4, B4 B4 (A fourth below charango, sometimes called Argentinian tuning or Bolivian tuning)

• G3 G3, C3 C3, E4 E3, A3 A3, E4 E4 (One octave below charango, sometimes called Chilean tuning)

• D4 D3, G4 G3, B4 B3, E4 E4, B4 B4 (Octave strings on the lower courses)

• G3 G2, C3 C2, E4 E3, A3 A3, E4 E4 (Octave strings on the lower courses)

• C4 C4, F4 F4, A4 A3, D4 D4, A4 A4 (Also sometimes called Bolivian tuning)