Capos

West R Lee · Feb 12, 2022

Well, I think I've tried almost all of them. In fact, right now in my goodie box I've got a Dunlop, G7th, Fretspanner, DiAddario cradle capo, and a Thalia. Of those I've always thought the Thalia was the most interesting, not only because of the variable fretboard radius inserts, but because the Thalia, on my guitars anyway, gives the guitar a metallic sound. Not a bad sound, but a different sound. All seems to capo strings securely to varying degrees, some very well, and some not so well requiring adjustment.

For probably the past 10 years I've heard and read rave reviews on Elliott capos. The fact is that they are so expensive, I'd have probably never bought one myself, but today, as an early Valentine's Day gift, my wife gave me an Elliott "Elite" capo. I now understand the rave, and the price. Purchased in the correct fretboard radius, they require very little compression to securely capo the stings, and the sound is more true, stable and clear than any capo I've ever used. The guitar sounds just like.......a guitar. It seems to lend the most accuracy to tone than any that I've used. Very well built and very strong.

West

dreadnut · Feb 12, 2022

Hard to beat the good old Shubb!

jedzep · Feb 12, 2022

I've heard that about Elliott too, but US made Paige has the same geometric design for 25 bucks.

Opsimath · Feb 12, 2022

West R Lee said:
Well, I think I've tried almost all of them. In fact, right now in my goodie box I've got a Dunlop, G7th, Fretspanner, DiAddario cradle capo, and a Thalia. Of those I've always thought the Thalia was the most interesting, not only because of the variable fretboard radius inserts, but because the Thalia, on my guitars anyway, gives the guitar a metallic sound. Not a bad sound, but a different sound. All seems to capo strings securely to varying degrees, some very well, and some not so well requiring adjustment.

For probably the past 10 years I've heard and read rave reviews on Elliott capos. The fact is that they are so expensive, I'd have probably never bought one myself, but today, as an early Valentine's Day gift, my wife gave me an Elliott "Elite" capo. I now understand the rave, and the price. Purchased in the correct fretboard radius, they require very little compression to securely capo the stings, and the sound is more true, stable and clear than any capo I've ever used. The guitar sounds just like.......a guitar. It seems to lend the most accuracy to tone than any that I've used. Very well built and very strong.

West

What a nice gift! I just pulled up their website. I like their motto, "Wrap us around your neck". Very clever.

It also said production was booked until May 2022 with 14 to 18 week waits. When did she order? And she knew the neck width and radius she needed to get for you?

I'm impressed with both the capo - the ones on the site looked very nice, and with Mrs. West's advanced planning and knowledge of what you needed.

West R Lee · Feb 12, 2022

Opsimath said:
What a nice gift! I just pulled up their website. I like their motto, "Wrap us around your neck". Very clever.

It also said production was booked until May 2022 with 14 to 18 week waits. When did she order? And she knew the neck width and radius she needed to get for you?

I'm impressed with both the capo - the ones on the site looked very nice, and with Mrs. West's advanced planning and knowledge of what you needed.

Yes ma'am. Actually, the lady who I ordered my new guitar from knew the radius and width. She knew what guitars I owned. I'll tell you Cynthia, The North American Guitar has been a bunch of help. The owner's name is Kim Sherman, and she's walked me through everything from ordering a custom built guitar to knowing precisely the capo my wife needed for me. They have them in stock if you're interested my friend. I'd read that on Elliott's website (14-18 weeks), but some dealers have them in stock. And yes, Mrs. West is a pretty good girl.

West

DrumBob · Feb 12, 2022

I have a capo and vert rarely use it. I'm learning "Midnight Rambler" by The Stones, and you have to capo it at the 7th fret to do it right. Otherwise, I'd rather not bother with capos. In a way, it's cheating.

West R Lee · Feb 12, 2022

DrumBob said:
I have a capo and vert rarely use it. I'm learning "Midnight Rambler" by The Stones, and you have to capo it at the 7th fret to do it right. Otherwise, I'd rather not bother with capos. In a way, it's cheating.

Oh gosh, I couldn't play without my capos. I use them for many different things, not the least of which is finding a key I can sing in......which is getting harder to do these days. : )

West

JohnW63 · Feb 12, 2022

"In a way, it's cheating."

Not really. A capo allows lots of open string possibilities that playing barre cords of finding an inversion to the chords you want just won't allow. If I have a barre chord going and I need to be able to move shapes further away than my fingers can stretch, a capo is a necessity.

Midnight Toker · Feb 12, 2022

"cheating" only applies to things in life with rules and laws. Playing guitar does not apply to this...EVER! If an open chord sounds best in a different key...capo that sucker! The only judge to music's laws are your own ears.

lungimsam · Feb 12, 2022

Not cheating.
My guitarist friend said to me : “It’s all about the voicings!”.

West R Lee · Feb 13, 2022

I was hoping to stimulate a capo conversation. I'm curious as to what any of you who happen to use a Thalia capo think about them? Has anyone who uses one noticed a metallic sound?

West

jedzep · Feb 13, 2022

I try not to overthink the capo, and though the yoke design makes the most sense to me, I also like the rear positioned screw feature of Colorado Capo for finger room, especially D7. Along with a few Paige on most guitars, I like the CC on my Martin OMs. I paid a few bucks extra to keep the brand name off the blade, and bought both nickel and brass. I don't hear any tone difference despite claims of there being one, but do notice my F30 has intonation anomalies with CC, so Paige rules there.

Paige Capo

paigecapo.com

Paige 'Clik' version for 12 strings and wide spacings is a newer design I may try for use higher up on the neck, but I don't play much up in that zone.

Home | Colorado Capo Company

www.coloradocapo.com

Good luck picking the one(s) that work for you. I can't imagine not having the playing and singing advantage of two extra keys, as all my guitars are set up with 13-56s, tuned down a step to D-D standard.

Love this discussion of fingers as capo.

Balderdash · Feb 13, 2022

dreadnut said:
Hard to beat the good old Shubb!

Since a friend put me on the Shubb, I now have a fleet of them…
Capos do much more than just change the key. I have all my twelves tuned down a step and a half to reduce the string tension at the bridge. Depending on the string gauges, tuned to EADgbe, tension can be around 280lb. (google; “guitar string tension calculator”.) Tuned down gets it in vicinity of 190lb. Over the life of a twelve that has to be good. With the capo on third fret, I’m back to standard tuning.
As the frets get closer to the bridge, the frets get closer together and strings get (slightly) wider. Fretted at 3 or 5, I’ve found it easier to get my short fat fingers to stop bumping other strings and span a four fret chord.

Christopher Cozad · Feb 13, 2022

West R Lee said:
...I'm curious as to what any of you who happen to use a Thalia capo think about them? Has anyone who uses one noticed a metallic sound?

West

Thalia capos can be attractive, especially if you match the metal frame color to your machine heads/fret color and select an insert that matches your back and sides wood. I have had several, with all the trimmings. I think I gave them a fair trial on several guitars, having different fretboard radii. Some worked okay, most did not. Some would fret all the strings, but only on specific frets, where some string muting occurs when used on other frets. I never had success using them with 12 strings.

If I had to guess, I wonder if the "metallic" sound you are referring to is a direct result of having swappable innards? Think about those strange scenarios where you get that "off" sound from one particular string... After changing strings, then refiling frets, then refiling the nut it dawns on you to check the saddle, and... Sure enough! There is a teeny, tiny space between the saddle and the bridge slot (sometimes on the bottom, sometimes along the wall) beneath that very string where a sympathetic vibration is occurring and getting amplified across the soundboard. Fix the saddle to bridge slot relationship and... Voila!

I don't know if swapping out or fiddling with the insides of your Thalia capo will fix that issue for you, but it might be worth a try.

Walter Broes · Feb 13, 2022

Agreed on the Elliott capos. We carry them in thel ittle guitar shop I part-time at, and allI can say is "believe the hype". It's like there's no capo there.

MacGuild · Feb 13, 2022

Great topic, West. Already some excellent suggestions and comments.
I still use Kysers mostly. Convenient, sturdy, sure. But too much over-hang, as it were. Easy to bump into its long arms. I also find they can slip-side around a bit too easily; Kysers have to be readjusted constantly. I need an upgrade, something small but snug. Way back when I first started playing, Kysers were the fancy new toy seemingly every guitarist had to have. Perhaps the novelty wore off and they have been surpassed by better designs? Or maybe they just look too much like the "artist formerly known as Prince" symbol when held upside-down.
Those Thalia capos look interesting; the minimalism and unobtrusiveness is very attractive. I'd like to find something hardly larger than a rubber band, ideally, and Thalia is as close as I've seen so far. Their artistry is icing.
And, as touching Chris' excellent post above, any and all 12-string capo recommendations are most welcome, I've never found one with which I've been satisfied. If anyone knows the answer, surely it must be Guild players. G7th capos were once recommended to me for 12s but I've never actually been in the same room as one. Very curious what you nice folks use on the big guns.

West R Lee · Feb 13, 2022

Christopher Cozad said:
Thalia capos can be attractive, especially if you match the metal frame color to your machine heads/fret color and select an insert that matches your back and sides wood. I have had several, with all the trimmings. I think I gave them a fair trial on several guitars, having different fretboard radii. Some worked okay, most did not. Some would fret all the strings, but only on specific frets, where some string muting occurs when used on other frets. I never had success using them with 12 strings.

If I had to guess, I wonder if the "metallic" sound you are referring to is a direct result of having swappable innards? Think about those strange scenarios where you get that "off" sound from one particular string... After changing strings, then refiling frets, then refiling the nut it dawns on you to check the saddle, and... Sure enough! There is a teeny, tiny space between the saddle and the bridge slot (sometimes on the bottom, sometimes along the wall) beneath that very string where a sympathetic vibration is occurring and getting amplified across the soundboard. Fix the saddle to bridge slot relationship and... Voila!

I don't know if swapping out or fiddling with the insides of your Thalia capo will fix that issue for you, but it might be worth a try.

A very good point on the metallic sound of Thalia Chris. It makes sense. I think the inserts are some type of pretty hard injection molded plastic, which sits in the jaw of the metal capo, and there is actually space under the insert. I hadn't considered it, but I'll bet that does indeed set up that metallic sound I hear.

West

Stuball48 · Feb 13, 2022

G7th when I use one

dreadnut · Feb 13, 2022

Shubb - $15-20.00

Elliott: $150 - 200.00

West R Lee · Feb 13, 2022

MacGuild said:
Great topic, West. Already some excellent suggestions and comments.
I still use Kysers mostly. Convenient, sturdy, sure. But too much over-hang, as it were. Easy to bump into its long arms. I also find they can slip-side around a bit too easily; Kysers have to be readjusted constantly. I need an upgrade, something small but snug. Way back when I first started playing, Kysers were the fancy new toy seemingly every guitarist had to have. Perhaps the novelty wore off and they have been surpassed by better designs? Or maybe they just look too much like the "artist formerly known as Prince" symbol when held upside-down.
Those Thalia capos look interesting; the minimalism and unobtrusiveness is very attractive. I'd like to find something hardly larger than a rubber band, ideally, and Thalia is as close as I've seen so far. Their artistry is icing.
And, as touching Chris' excellent post above, any and all 12-string capo recommendations are most welcome, I've never found one with which I've been satisfied. If anyone knows the answer, surely it must be Guild players. G7th capos were once recommended to me for 12s but I've never actually been in the same room as one. Very curious what you nice folks use on the big guns.

To me the beauty of a "cradle" capo is that they rarely have to be readjusted. I like the idea of a pretty much straight down clamp on all 6 strings. I happen to also have a DiAddario cradle capo that I like, and is less than half the price of an Elliott. It's my second favorite capo. It's just not the quality, or the positive clamp on the strings the Elliott has, but it can be snugged to hold securely and not slip. The Elliott is essentially the same thing, but with much more of a positive contact and straight pull on the strings.

The D'Addario rendition: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165288820749?epid=3017286039&_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item267bfb400d:g:1csAAOSwWXZh5fAz&amdata=enc:AQAGAAACoPYe5NmHp%2B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSLY2M1Gjmuwt9c03vWNfiRpb5FLGzK7e7OtMTAncLwORQYOXAJqmvx1TfbG%2B6LDiE4Bbkd0lOMy65k5Fgfhh%2BBb1aA%2B8P6zfgToW9syJ3ZFebgnumIxUwQ%2Be%2BMSnAhXzcGpATTnHY8Inemv6nISMXadGR%2FYaRnFA%2BNTxnyIS1gDg0%2FRGFcKWocTspUrvPXUF8NOOUwTU9RKVXWA1Ai25rSbiLz6OPtTbH9GS5wBF0CmCQ%2FG5%2B70vgMSRGnhK4WhpuXkgvqlrtLCa2%2FPNTI6R%2BvgM25rxS5FVCpRjRYS2RRmpbREH8bjuBDBjKmAj10xn4xmloqqEMWFoHFEeFdySEOsbHr5qsk79QpSnhjbnyc%2Flwo9ypeHkUpS%2BOBE3bGR4eZg1hN%2B4tp1rZ1CG8338FWVKFPD2J15PIQKlTW9Fy0XmZhQy61D8rfKptvhlqJBUNO7gmCsp3R2meWF%2FTtj4war3lvOIKreW2IbARnh4LKM9PnEVIAkuYC1P%2FxcU9A%2B2NykzsesRTsqim%2F%2Bgxa5XWesgAMCBYGDpXWOf0S27x6T6K7jV1gQN1apEyRE%2FdHDXsa97JBO%2F5DjO1dBtsUdHkuE%2Bb4zha3vyrbRBI5K9z3cZDsJevdJaWpU%2FQ%2Bc%2BDvuFY8jvaudm2tqfjMnMvtT55%2BAKGekzNmGDTB7tRAissxqsalLJn25GQQmCf%2B%2FC2fvgd7Y9ZaFudiJf0kUvOAEjgwlIAKTJ1lkz9DeQHSFaUNYpbLebAeXjqjHoodHVAJCDAVHzsxgwU8cdYBQDESJ4l8nwha7hH8FWxh6U9pEoQhFISSBio883%2FZwT0D%2BLFgGBJQ2bdYMX0VCO2I7N%2BWkduLw%3D%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBMgviHzN5f

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