Crossword Genius

Chap, old, playing popular instrument (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mandolin

'instrument' is the definition.
(mandolin is a kind of instrument)

'chap old playing popular' is the wordplay.
'chap' becomes 'man' (I've seen this before).
'playing' is an anagram indicator.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'old' anagrammed gives 'dol'.
'man'+'dol'+'in'='MANDOLIN'

(Other definitions for mandolin that I've seen before include "Plucked instrument" , "Musical instrument like a small lute" , "one's deployed in the kitchen" , "Lute-like instrument" , "Instrument resembling a lute" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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