Early Guitars

The Vihuela (16th century Spain) - quite large, with 12 strings in 6 courses.
The Renaissance guitar (16th century France and Italy) - generally plain looking, about the size of the modern ukelele, with 7 strings in 4 courses (the highest string was a single).
The Baroque guitar (17th and 18th centuries) - still much smaller than the modern classical instrument, usually very ornate, with 9 strings in five courses (the highest string being a single).

All were easily recognisable as guitars, with the typical waisted body; some were flat-backed, others had vaulted backs. Their repertoire was written in various forms of tablature, and was quite different from the contemporary guitar repertoire, being much closer to lute music. "Lutes which looked like guitars, or guitars which played lute music?"

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The Baroque Guitar :: Printed Music from 1606-1737 Dr Gary Boyes' research into playing styles and repertoire for the Baroque guitar, with an explanation of tablature used in the period.
Baroque Guitar for the Modern Performer An article exploring the differences between the baroque and modern classical instrument, their respective repertoires, and adapting the older music for the modern instrument.
Instructions for the Baroque Guitar Three translations of contemporary guidance for Baroque guitar players, covering tuning, tablature, and stringing.
Guide to Early Instruments :: The Guitar and Vihuela Describes and traces the development of early members of the guitar family.
A manuscript found in Oporto Preserved in Galvao-Kristófcsák Foundation of Lagos, in Algarve, Portugal, it is a unique, anonymous collection of works for five course Baroque guitar.
Sixteenth-Century Printed Tablatures An annotated bibliography of tablature written for the lute, vihuela, early guitar, cittern, bandora, mandora, and orpharion; arranged chronologically and by composer.
The Guitar in England Excerpts from "The Early Guitar: A History and Handbook" (James Tyler, OUP, 1980), describing the development of the vihuela, Renaissance and Baroque, and English guitars, with comments on tunings and playing techniques.
Monica Hall Baroque Guitar Research Pieces by Corbetta from Castillion's Liege Manuscript and five course guitar stringing.
The Lute Ring A webring for sites related to lutes and early guitars.