The vihuela (or viola da mano) is a string instrument from the 15th century. Very similar to the guitar in its construction, it featured 6 doubled strings tuned [G C F A D G] or [C F B♭ D G C]. The vihuela was played either with the fingers, a plectrum, or with a bow (in those cases it was called 'vihuela da arco'). The vihuela and its repertoire disappeared at the end of the 16th century, with its role taken by the early baroque guitar. Nowadays the word 'vihuela' is still used in Spanish speaking countries (particularly Argentina) as slang for 'guitar'.