Rikki_Sixx Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Hi guys, I'm very slowly working my way through Fender Play's blues track. Upcoming (and optional) lessons involve using a capo. Beginner question: Are all capos pretty much the same? Looking at images, some look to have "teeth" to better grip the neck but the last thing I'd want to do is buy one that's a bit on the tight site and it chews into the fat neck of my 339. I'm sure there are branded ones for like £30 or whatever, but otherwise are run-of-the-mill £10-ish ones all much the same? Is there such thing as a "bad" capo? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 There are all sorts, from a plastic bar with elastic, up to ones that you can roll on without affecting tuning (apparently). The teeth you speak of are probably just contoured rubber and just look different. For the most part, it’s find an action/mechanism you like. I use a Shubb that you have to set the pressure with a screw and then apply that pressure with a lever, I find this type of one works better for me as I can set how hard the strings are held down, rather than a constant, unadjustable spring pressure. If you use a capo on a number of different guitars with varying neck thicknesses, a simpler ‘one touch’ action may be for you. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Rikki_Sixx said: Hi guys, I'm very slowly working my way through Fender Play's blues track. Upcoming (and optional) lessons involve using a capo. Beginner question: Are all capos pretty much the same? Looking at images, some look to have "teeth" to better grip the neck but the last thing I'd want to do is buy one that's a bit on the tight site and it chews into the fat neck of my 339. I'm sure there are branded ones for like £30 or whatever, but otherwise are run-of-the-mill £10-ish ones all much the same? Is there such thing as a "bad" capo? Cheers! I'd recommend a 'trigger'-style capo, for its consistent efficiency, ease of use and solidity. Here's four, from Amazon; cheap enough to try out, with a slightly more expensive option... Amazon Trigger Capos ... Our Eldest uses these (or ones like 'em...), fitting one for the intro of 'Under The Bridge' before whipping it off for the rest of the song. Our Second Guitar uses one, too, to match the singer's choice of key. They all have rubber 'jaws', and do no harm at all to the guitar neck. Hope this helps. Edit : Note the difference in shape between a 'flat' one (for nylon, classical, flamenco guitars with flat fingerboard...) and 'curved' (for electric, archtop, radiused fingerboards...) and buy accordingly. The rubber jaw will accommodate any slight difference in curveture, normally. Edited April 20, 2021 by Dad3353 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 Thanks for this, it's really helpful! I ordered a trigger-style one which should be arriving today so I'm interested in having a go! You mention curved / flat ones. Is that referring to the "top" bit which would fret the strings? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 3 hours ago, Rikki_Sixx said: ...You mention curved / flat ones. Is that referring to the "top" bit which would fret the strings? Exactly, it has to match the profile of the fingerboard, in order to clamp each string to the fret. It's only a slight difference, but it's best to get the right one for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardMarlowe Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Over the years I've tried pretty much every style there is; they all worked. The best, quality-wise, have been a Shubb and a Kaiser. The Kaiser is ultimately better for quick-and-easy use, given it's a spring-loaded clamp - makes it a one-hand affair, and can clip on the headstock when not in use of you want it handy. If you're looking at using one live especially, that's what I'd go for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 My Shubb is nearly 40 years old. The nylon tip of the adjuster unscrewed and got lost a couple of years ago. I was able to buy a spare for not very much. Any questions? (the 'beak with handle' type are second best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardMarlowe Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 (edited) On 24/08/2021 at 15:10, Stub Mandrel said: My Shubb is nearly 40 years old. The nylon tip of the adjuster unscrewed and got lost a couple of years ago. I was able to buy a spare for not very much. Any questions? (the 'beak with handle' type are second best. Edit: I misread your post, but you're right - the big plus of Shubb is all the spares available! https://shubb.com/support/ https://shubb.com/product-category/replacement-parts/ hubb.com/product/delrin-cap-dc/ Edited December 21, 2023 by EdwardMarlowe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
