Thanks for the comments guys.
Trevorc: A Hurdy Gurdy is very tempting. I guess I would go for a Lute shaped one but one of my colleagues at work made one with a guitar shaped body. Long ago now.
Willy: As an amateur maker I just make the instruments to the drawings so I don't really develop an expertise in any particular field since I tend to manufacture one offs for the pleasure in making. I do have a set of material for a small Ruckers virginalls, the 4 1/2 voet in the Russel collection. All authentic woods: Spruce for the sound board, poplar for the case, pear for the jacks, holly for the tongues, beech for the wrest plank - all bought mail order from North Higham Sawmills (which I'm sure you know/knew) in the old days when they specialised in this stuff. I've also managed to acquire bog oak for the sharps (from pen blanks!) and bone for the naturals. Not in the schedule for the foreseeable future though.
All the best,
Rod