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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I have maybe a dozen capos of various makes, but prefer an old Victor model that I've used regularly for the past 20 years. These days, we play many songs that modulate from one key to another, so capos just make transpositions even more complex.
I also have to disagree with Flysig on placement of the capo. I find that when the capo is placed directly behind the fret, there is a tendancy to pull the string around the fret which increases the string bend angle and affects intonation. I find intonation is less impacted by placing the capo in the middle of the fret. In theory, the basis for this reasoning may be rooted in physics. This isn't my specialty, so maybe some engineer can explain this better than me, but the theory is relatively simple. The shortest distance between two objects (the frets) is a straight line (the tuned string). To minimize the capo's impact on string intonation, the string should remain as close to straight as possible. Ideally, Stephen's suggestion of placing the capo directly on the fret would result in the least amount of bend angle and the string would remain about as close to straight as possible. The next option would be to split the difference between the frets, which is what I do. Placement of the capo directly behind the fret creates a near 90 degree bend of the string as the string wraps around the fret. Another factor is the width of the capo bar that comes in contact with the string. The wider the bar, the greater the likelihood that the string will now have compound bend angles at the capo, one in front of the bar and one behind it. Adding the bend on the fret itself, there are now three angles changing the string from being straight.
I've tried Stephen's method, but find that the capo gets in the way of my hand in forming chords close to the capo. I'll give up a little compromise in intonation (imperceptable to most listeners in live performances) in order to avoid the capo from interfering with my left hand technique. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
I've tried Stephen's method, but find that the capo gets in the way of my hand in forming chords close to the capo. Hence the Elliott. They have even come out with a superslim model which helps with the issue you mentioned.
but overall I agree. If I don't place it directly on the fret I tend to position it near the middle. |
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Joined:
November 2007
Posts: 10
Location: New Hartford, CT | My sincere thanks to everyone who replied. :p |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | I like Dunlop Trigger capos. They're fast and don't affect intonation too badly, at least on my guitars. And they're durable; I've had the same one for ten years. I liked Kysers okay, but I was going through one every six months; the springs were breaking. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Rick- you should add a link to your website at the bottom of your posts. People like to know this stuff. Here ya go..... Rick Endres |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Interesting how many people use a Shubb. My choice too, before I ever came to the OFC. |
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Joined:
January 2011
Posts: 12
Location: Philippines | I've used a number of capos through the years. Before I bought my first capo, I had opportunities to use capos that were big, heavy and cumbersome. So when it came time to buy my own capo, I bought a Dunlop Toggle Action capo . I liked that capo because it was so small it could fit in my shirt or jeans pocket without anyone noticing it's there. So I actually carried it in my pocket wherever I went.
Later I bought a Kyser Quick Change capo . I liked the fact that I could use it using only my right hand. So it became my favorite for a while until I bought a Dunlop Trigger capo . The Dunlop capo was similar to the Kyser in the one-hand operation. The difference is that the Dunlop is operated using the left hand instead of the right. But these two capos have a common disadvantage: you need a lot of grip strength to use them.
My current favorite capo is the Planet Waves NS Dual-Action capo . Using it requires only one hand, the left hand. But you don't need to have a strong grip to use it. Even better, the tension is adjustable. So you could prevent the strings from going sharp. The only disadvantage of that capo is that it's not very pocketable. So for that I also bought its smaller sibling, the Planet Waves NS capo . These two Planet Waves capos are what I use now. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Boy, I haven't thought of that Dunlop Quick Change in a long time.
I've used Kysers for years, but on a couple of guitars use Shubbs.
For 6 strings, I'll use whatever is handy. It's 12 strings where I have a problem. I use Shubbs, but I've got to clamp it down really hard to get all the strings to ring clearly.
Anybody else have a problem like that? What do you do about it? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I use Shubbs pretty much all the time, except on the 12. I find the wide Kyser snugged up as close to the fret as possible works best of all the different ones I've tried. On my guitar anyway ... I think your Big Blue has a more C shape to it than my 6759. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I use the Kyser quick change on my guitars ... seven years later, and I haven't found one reason to complain about them. :) |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Elliot works beautifully on every 12 string (including the baritone) that I have tried it on. |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 488
Location: California | Planet Waves, don't need to have a strong grip to use it and the tension is adjustable, you love it. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Another vote for the Planet Waves. Well made, good looking, quick & easy to use. My only choice now. Very hard to beat, especially for their price. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I use a Kyser strings I Adamas 1818 strings or Dean Markley Alcamy Goldenbronze |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I use a Kyser strings I Adamas 1818 strings or Dean Markley Alcamy Goldenbronze |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Elliott then keyser then shubb
the keyser is good for a quick key change or just to find the key when figuring out a song.
I like the Green Keyser 5 string capo that gives you the fake drop D.
I've got several Elliotts but can never find them all at the same time. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Ha Ha...
Beal, that is why you slide the Elliott's above the nut when not in use (but at least you can easily find them). |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 147
Location: liverpool ,england | exp strings dunlop capo or kyser |
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Capo?
