Jump to content
HAPPY NEW YEAR, TO ALL OUR HARMONY CENTRAL FORUMITES AND GUESTS!! ×

Capo...I need a good one


steve_man

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

Okay, I've been using Kyser capos for years. The problem I have with them is that they require a lot of adjusting before the tuning isn't all out of whack. Is there one out there that is easy to take on and off, but doesn't mess your tuning up so bad?

  • Members
Posted

Shubb. It gets a lot of love here. I have a slew of them. Besides not throwing your tuning out of whack, it has a very low profile and doesn't interfere with your hitting difficult chords right at the capo.

  • Members
Posted

 

Shubb. It gets a lot of love here. I have a slew of them. Besides not throwing your tuning out of whack, it has a very low profile and doesn't interfere with your hitting difficult chords right at the capo.

 

 

Does Shubb make more than one model?

  • Members
Posted

I've only used Kyser and Shubb, and I would say each has its advantages and disadvantages. Overall I prefer the Kyser.

 

With the Kyser, you get one tension. This means it pulls your strings sharp, every time. However, at least you know what to expect. You know that the bass strings need to be adjusted in a certain way, while the treble strings can usually be left alone. The spring tension in the Kyser does decrease over the years, and eventually it will snap. I've had one break, after about 7 years of daily use.

 

With the Shubb, you can adjust the tension to be just right. But the right setting at the 2nd fret will not be the right setting at the 5th fret, so you have to find the right screw setting and dial it in for every fret. If you have time and patience, then it's better than the Kyser. But if you accidentally make the tension too loose and rush into playing, you might be surprised by a sudden buzz or muted string. Or if you snap it on with the tension too high, it will cause even worse sharpness than the Kyser.

 

Lastly, in my experience, the Kyser padding is a little thicker / softer than the Shubb padding. Thus the Shubb 12-string capo will not work properly on my 12-string with mediums -- it doesn't quite grab one or two of the octave strings. The Kyser 12-string model gets them all. (The Shubb 12-string capo, however, is perfect for my nylon string guitar with radiused fretboard.)

 

I'm starting to hear good things about the Planet Waves NS capo. I'll probably buy one soon to compare.

  • Members
Posted

I have numerous Shubbs and is all I would recommend. In addition to the low profile, the deluxe model has a small ball on it so you'll never wear out the contact surface when you clamp it on. I've seen banjo, 6 and 12 string guitar models in both the standard and the deluxe version. The shubb also has a threaded screw which allows for small adjustments as needed for any neck. Some people think they are hard to adjust, but once you get the hang of it, it should take you under 5 seconds!

 

I used to have a coupe of kysers, but one of the springs broke while I was putting it on the neck. Between losing an eye or a spring stuck in my hand, I'm staying clear of them.

 

Like my guitar guy said about the Shubb....you lose it before you wear it out. I've had some of mine for 10 years.

 

I saw a posting on Ebay this week for the standard version for $6. Not bad since I pay $30 Canadian for the deluxe one.

  • Members
Posted

Get the G7th capo. It's a little more expensive but won't throw your tuning out like the non-adjustable Kyser 'Death Grip' model and is quicker than the Shubb.

You just gently squeeze it onto the strings with as little or as much tension as you need and release by pulling a small trigger. You can do all this with one hand.

  • Members
Posted

 

Get the G7th capo. It's a little more expensive but won't throw your tuning out like the non-adjustable Kyser 'Death Grip' model and is quicker than the Shubb.

You just gently squeeze it onto the strings with as little or as much tension as you need and release by pulling a small trigger. You can do all this with one hand.

 

 

 

I've tried the G7th, but I find it a bit bulky. No question, it works. but I still prefer the Shubb.

 

EastCoastPlayah mentioned the Deluxe Model of the Shubb. I have one but would not recommend it. Mine came with the release lever raised to make it easier to find and release. Problem was it hit my hand when I did an Adim7th at the first fret. I solved the problem by filing the leading edge of the lever into a nice curve and it no longer gets in the way - took 5 minutes with a file and it still looks good. Still, you shouldn't have to file a capo down and I see this as a design flaw. Stick with the standard IMHO.

  • Members
Posted

shubb

 

I have several just to make sure I can find one whenI want it.

 

 

I also have one of those useless partial shubbs that I use for a "worry bead".

  • Members
Posted

I prefer stirrup capos to just about anything. You park them above the nut, then when you slide them out to use them it's a simple turn of the knob to get the perfect tension. JMHO

 

Below is a John Pearse:

 

29525172.JPG

  • Members
Posted

 

Get the G7th capo. It's a little more expensive but won't throw your tuning out like the non-adjustable Kyser 'Death Grip' model and is quicker than the Shubb.

You just gently squeeze it onto the strings with as little or as much tension as you need and release by pulling a small trigger. You can do all this with one hand.

 

 

+1, best capo I've ever used - so easy to put on/take off and well worth the extra

  • Members
Posted

I have quite a capo collection. It seems that there are issues with every kind, I have shubbs and kysers, paiges, and countless other (seriously). Either they are a pain to use or they get in the way, or they throw your tuning way off.

 

I saw a new type though and bought it. It is without a doubt the best capo I have ever had. Once you try one, you wont go back to whatever you used before. It is a Dunlop Johnny Cash Capo here is a link to see one: http://www.zzounds.com/item--DNPJCS50C

 

It is easy to use, doesn't get in the way, and it is easily adjusted to just the right amount of pressure (ie enough to fully fret, but not so much to de-tune).

 

Do yourself a favor and try one

  • Members
Posted

I perfer my shubb deluxe to anything else. I have a muscle problem that makes the muscles in my hand weak. Because of the design of the shubb, it's the easiest capo for me to use. I had to use 2 hands to open my old kyser capo.

  • Members
Posted

i have two capos that are similar to Bbarkow's posted above. Never knew they were called "stirrup" capos, but now I can see why. They are slow to put on and take off, but very precise. The great thing is that they are approximately 25 years old and still work just like the day I bought them.

 

RT1:thu:

  • Members
Posted

I've been a Kyser guy for about 20 years now, and I actually stumbled across this thread just as I was about to go out and buy another one. I've been 100% satisfied with the Kyser - easy to use, easy to clamp on the headstock when you don't need it, easy to change, but that doesn't mean I'm not open to trying something new. So thanks for the recommendations on this thread! Capos are inexpensive enough that I think I'll try a few that were recommended here!

 

PS - I used to work in a jewelry store and was the engraver there. On every Kyser I bought while I was there, I engraved my Name or Initials. It looks really sharp on the black.

  • Members
Posted

I have a black Kyser capo and a silver Dunlop Trigger capo. They work pretty good but you can't control the amount of pressure they apply.

 

I used a Schubb for the first time a few weeks ago. I liked the fact that you can adjust the pressure. I thought I used to own a Shubb, but I was wrong. I found my old capo yesterday. It's similiar to a Schubb, but it's made by Dunlop. The rubber is dry rotted and the radius is better suited for an electric guitar.

 

I'm considering ordering a Schubb, but those new Planet Waves capos have me curious.

  • Members
Posted

I have a black Kyser, a white one, and a silver one. They're not bad, and they look cool. On my acoustic the intonation issues are not as pronounced. Trying to use it on my electric is a major hassle. I'm going to go to the guitar shop and see if they have a Planet Waves and a Shubb, so I can try them out.

  • Members
Posted

+1 Shubb. As for stirrup capos, the guy who sold me my Shubb actually recommended a Paige, which is similar to the John Pearse. I also have a Picker's Pal stirrup capo, which is made by the Jim Dunlop folks. Works well but a pain to use. I mostly use it on my 12-string these days.

  • Members
Posted

 

Just received a Shubb today from Shoreline. Man, is that thing easy to use...

 

 

I repeatedly stand in awe of whoever designed it. When I first saw it, I couldn't imagine how anyone would have thought of it.

  • Members
Posted

got something similar to this in the pocket of the gig bag one of my old Yamaha Dynamics came in and really like it, I too didn`t know they were called stirrup capos but anyway I like the fact that I can adjust the amount of pressure applied. Just placed a bid for 8 of them , the seller is calling them classical guitar capos, could be I just know it fits the neck of my Dynamic very well and they have chunky necks.

 

500x375-2006113000002.jpg

  • Members
Posted

I saw a new type though and bought it. It is without a doubt the best capo I have ever had. Once you try one, you wont go back to whatever you used before. It is a Dunlop Johnny Cash Capo here is a link to see one:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--DNPJCS50C

It is easy to use, doesn't get in the way, and it is easily adjusted to just the right amount of pressure (ie enough to fully fret, but not so much to de-tune).

Do yourself a favor and try one

 

cashwebweb-2a25185aaff30fb266baeb473c4c8

 

Anyone agree? Going by how this is designed... it does have a screw for adjustment but it is not under the neck like a Shubb (which permits even tension across the frets?)... my main requirement is "does not make guitar go out of tune."

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...