Possible Clues:

• Old balladeer's instrument
• Instrument that's not musically loud?
• It's featured in two Vivaldi concertos
• Instrument for a minstrel
• Instrument female got rid of for another
• Mandolin's forerunner
• One with a long neck and a rounded body
• Guitar granddaddy
• Madrigalist's accompaniment
• Clay covering used to protect old instrument