Possible Clues:

• Vermeer's ''Woman With a ___''
• Reportedly, stolen property in minstrel's possession?
• Old stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body
• Serenade need, perhaps
• Stringed instrument spoils broadcast
• Renaissance faire instrument
• Instrument that becomes another instrument if you add an F at the beginning
• Old instrument that thief makes off with reportedly?
• Stringed instrument with a neck and a deep round back
• Minstrel’s strings