Old instrument about to be given to former Yardbird (6)

I believe the answer is:

rebeck

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'old instrument' is the definition.
'rebeck' can be an answer for 'instrument' (I have seen 'MUSICAL INSTRUMENT' mean 'rebeck' so perhaps 'instrument' could also mean 'rebeck'). I'm unsure of the 'old' bit.

'to be given to former yardbird' is the wordplay.
'given to' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'former yardbird' becomes 'reck' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'be' going inside 'reck' is 'REBECK'.

'about' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rebeck that I've seen before include "Medieval instrument shaped like a mandolin" , "MUSICAL INSTRUMENT" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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