Hi odreibel. I would like to suggest that one of the most important things at the outset is to make sure you have the means to keep the join under tension while the glue is drying, There are various methods.
1.G cramps or Sash cramps. Adjustable clamps which can be used for this purpose but usually for furniture.Guitar repairers use special ones all around the area to be glued but one or two at a time should do.Guard all surfaces from the jaws of the cramp with a protective cloth or piece of wood + cloth. Critical thing is the size of cramp but in the last resort a sash cramp opens up big enough for anything.
2.A knotted loop of something like clothes line all round instrument.Insert hammer handle etc and twist carefully like a torniquet.Use in conjunction with blocks of wood + cloth in final contact with instrument.
3.Masking tape with sellotape on top.
Now.......
Make sure you are able to fit pieces together dry first.Glue parts(one side should be enough) sparingly but cover all exposed wood.I find PVA white glue is good enough for anything but a precious instrument. Cascamite is also excellent.
Bring join together,dont try to do too many parts of the repair all at once.Now the tricky part is holding the join together with the cramp etc. You will find you could do with a third hand but practice makes perfect.Making sure you have protected the guitar etc top and back from the cramp slowly turn the screw and tighten carefully. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
You will see the excess glue coming out of the join. Now wipe away the excess. White glue is user friendly in that it does not leave a residue when wiped thoroughly.Place somewhere unknockable over night and remove cramps next day.Hopefully, if you have made the correct judgments, any other parts needing regluing will still be in alignment.
The torniquet method is a bit drastic for an instrument normally, and the cramps are best but the good news is that you can probably do most of the aforementioned with 1" masking tape (Which should not mark) and sellotape over that (not touching the intrument but directly over the masking tape for strength only)
I cant guarantee this will work for the charango if its made of armadillo and not wood but it probably will.Good luck( or consult a good repairer!)
Mick Tulk, January 2007
