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Post by MartinS on Apr 21, 2016 9:51:41 GMT
Had a search for threads about capos on here and didn't find much, so here goes.
I use two different capos.
First one is a Jim Dunlop which I have been using quite happily for years, it's fairly precise, positive feel, and easy enough to put on and off both the strings and the headstock (when parked up). I use this if I'm not moving capo position mid tune set.
Second is one called a Quickdraw, which may be unfamiliar to you (http://www.quickdrawcapo.com/). I use this one if I need to move capo position mid-tune quickly. It's a great idea and works very well, however you need to be adapt at getting it in the right place or you can get a bit of string buzz. I wouldn't be without it though.
So here's the thing, I have just acquired another guitar this week, and the nut width is 45mm (wider than I've had before). I have the impression (rightly or wrongly) that the Jim Dunlop capo requires a lot more care about positioning than I would have needed for the narrower neck guitars. Which has got me thinking bout possible alternatives.
I'm interested in the opinions of the collective wisdom on this board, what capos do you like/dislike and why? I see lots of comments on the interwebs about Shubbs, Kysers and G7ths, but I've not tried any of these.
Martin
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Apr 21, 2016 9:56:21 GMT
I've got Shubbs - and a variety of G7THs... and like them all (on different guitars) If you're interested in 'mid-tune' repositioning, can I suggest you also have a look at Thalia capos. I have two of these and really like them, though I don't have the playing skill that would require me to reposition them they are very easy to use in that way.
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Post by MartinS on Apr 21, 2016 10:10:40 GMT
Leo, those look interesting, not seen them before.
I particularly like the fact you can get them with Swarovski crystals!
Martin
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 21, 2016 10:17:03 GMT
I received an Elliot hybrid capo as an Xmas gift years ago but only use it if I am playing in places where I am sure I will not lose it or it won't get nicked. My favourite capo is a cheap Planet Waves NP Pro - (not the lite version) it works very well, fits a wide variety of necks, I can change it pretty quickly with one hand and it is very unobtrusive. Elliot CapoPlanet Waves NP Pro That Quickdraw one looks interesting...
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 21, 2016 10:23:09 GMT
We certainly all have our different preferences in capos. It's certainly true that not all capos suit all necks as you have discovered MartinS. I use Planet Waves NS, G7th Newport and Shubb (standard) capos. If you are up for some experimentation then you could do worse than trying the Planet Waves NS Lite which is available for under a tenner if you search around. Even the slightly posher metal version is only a couple of quid more. I like these as they seem to work on a wide variety of neck depths and profiles and result in absolutely minimal tuning disturbance when carefully applied. Very light in weight and easy to use. Also easy to tweak the screw slightly mid song if not quite properly applied before starting. I like Shubbs too, especially on guitars with constant neck depth from about fret 2 to 7 where I don't need to adjust the screw once set! Less easy to tweak the screw whilst playing. On my necks I sometimes get a little tuning disturbance on applying the capo, but not a great deal and easily remedied. The G7th Newport works well for me too - similar in principal to Shubb, but I find it more eaily adjustable on application and once applied. It is also the least onstructive (to left hand) capo that I have tried, and doesn't significantly disturb tuning other than sometimes slightly sharpening the bass E. Only drawback for me is its slippery feel, easily dropped if sweaty hands. Didn't care for the "normal" G7th at all - too bulky and heavy which compounds the sweaty slippery problem. The one I tried fell on a solid floor in a pub and fell apart. I believe more recent models are less fragile though. I tried a Quickdraw capo when I played in trad sessions a lot, but didn't get on with it, though the Roller Glide capo did work for me, other than risking shaving the sides of the fingerboard if in a hurry! I found I could change capo positon almost as quickly, and certainly more reliably with a Shubb, on the right guitar anyway. Never got on with any of the "clothes peg" principle sprung capos as the pressure always seems too great and tended to sharpen all strings. Not nec a problem when solo but a nightmare when playing with others. People who like decorating their headstocks with various bits of hardware seem to like them though! But I always think that capo storage is what shirt pockets are for. Best plan is to try as many as you can on your particular instruments and for your particular uses - especially if you can borrow them! Let us know how you get on. Keith
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 21, 2016 10:31:41 GMT
I've a few Shubbs and that's really all I use.
Got a G7 for the banjo, mind...
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Post by slasher on Apr 21, 2016 13:29:31 GMT
I had an unbranded "clothes peg" sprung type that looked a bit like a Kyser but wasn't a Kyser. It had to be removed from the guitar very carefully or there was a danger of damage to the back of the neck. Now I have a G7th squeeze-shut type, this has worked brilliantly. I only got it because Acoustic Magazine were offering one 'free' if you took out an annual sub'. The sub' was £41.99 the capo sold for £29.99 at that time so the mag was £1 an issue. Nearly worth it?
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Capos...
Apr 21, 2016 18:40:36 GMT
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 21, 2016 18:40:36 GMT
I really liked my G7 until it broke. Back to Shubb!
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Post by earthbalm on Apr 21, 2016 20:58:07 GMT
I had an unbranded "clothes peg" sprung type that looked a bit like a Kyser but wasn't a Kyser. It had to be removed from the guitar very carefully or there was a danger of damage to the back of the neck. Now I have a G7th squeeze-shut type, this has worked brilliantly. I only got it because Acoustic Magazine were offering one 'free' if you took out an annual sub'. The sub' was £41.99 the capo sold for £29.99 at that time so the mag was £1 an issue. Nearly worth it? Me too, a cheap Kyser substitute. Unwittingly, I left it on my Brook for a few weeks without checking. Not only has it damaged the finish but it has crushed a small section of neck flat! I have one Jim Dunlop and several Shubbs now.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Apr 21, 2016 22:03:39 GMT
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Apr 21, 2016 22:05:40 GMT
Shubbs for me. I tend to carry two when I'm playing live - one set up for guitar (my two Brooks have virtually identical necks) and one for mandolin & mandocello. I find them very easy to use, and although they're not quite as quick to change as the spring-loaded ones they're not too fiddly. Also, I once had a spring-loaded one snap during a capo change - fortunately only while I was practicing, but it would have cause me real trouble if it had happened on stage.
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Post by gekko on Apr 22, 2016 8:18:52 GMT
I have a G7th and a Kyser. The G7th is my go-to capo as it has a firmer grip. I get a bit of buzz from the Kyser if I'm not very careful about the placement. I don't have big hands so the G7th doesn't get in the way of my playing.
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Post by MartinS on Apr 22, 2016 9:53:10 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions, I think I might try a Shubb. Is it easy enough to park on the headstock?
I was playing last night, and I realised the problem probably didn't stem from the capo after all. As I said, it's a new guitar (for me) and it looks like a set up problem - I play in a lower tuning and there is a bit of bit of fret buzz, which is what I thought was the capo not sitting correctly. Duh.
Slight tweaking of the truss rod doesn't really help. It has had a mod made to it (Anthem SL) and the bridge height looks like it might not be correct, so a visit to the guitar tech...
m.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2016 10:00:48 GMT
The standard Shubb probably wouldn't sit easily at the headstock, as it would have to be adjusted to clip on there.
I just use a shirt pocket or an adjacent table/chair when I'm not using it. For headstock placing, a Kyser style spring-loaded capo might be a better choice.
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Post by Cams on Apr 22, 2016 13:26:12 GMT
I use the Quickdraw too and wouldn't be without it for DADGAD backup with the ceilidh band. It fits my Santa Cruz well but it's no good on my other guitars with thicker necks. I know that there's a classical variant so I guess that would work on the others.
I tried the Thalia; it didn't go high enough up the neck, even on the Cruz.
I've tried and rejected G7th and Shubbs. I also have a Dan Crary signature brass one and it's okay. For small footprint, my favourite is the Sterner. I'm on my second one now and it's great if you're not moving around much. My favourite all rounder by a country mile is the Kyser. I've lost two recently and just cracked open a new one last night after making do without it. It was like going back to an old pair of slippers. It clips so easily onto the headstock or mic stand and it can be moved fairly quickly and accurately. Best of all worlds really.
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