I have a lute guitar & have owned it for 40 years. It was quite old when I bought it from a Greek antique instruments dealer in New York. That's a folk ballad in itself...but some other time. It's probably about 65 years old now. It is German made by Hoefner perhaps when they were sturdier or better quality. Mine will not support steel strings, but I have been gigging with it (nightly for about 25 years) & still use it when appropriate. The only time it needed repair was when I tried the silk & steel experiment. Other than that, the neck is fine, body still free of cracks, easy action, good round volume, no problems. The short neck limits any guitar histrionics, but it's a lovely instrument for accomanying songs & I made a good living playing it. Nothing could make me part with it. If you have any questions about the "care & feeding" please email me privately as I don't subscribe to this list. Actually, care & feeding has been non-existent! I should be kinder to it.