Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Capos Revisited


Buc McMaster

Recommended Posts

As most of you regulars know already, I'm a gadget guy........I I love the tools of the trade and like to experiment with variations. Over the last year I've invested in a few different capos, seeking the one that works best for my purposes, regardless of cost. So in the quiver are a McKinney-Elliot, a Kat Eyez, a G7th Heritage and a Paige..........all yoke (or stirrup) style capos, my preferred design. For those that are interested in such things, here's my thoughts on this little collection of toys..........

 

The Elliot: B Well-made; a bit on the heavy side; seems to deliver a sub-par tone relative to the others (not sure why a capo affects tone, but it does); must be cranked tight to eliminate rattle

 

Kat Eyez: B Again, well-made; quite light with a slim build; tone not altered much; must be tightened pretty severely

 

G7th Heritage: B+ best build of the lot; robust construction but not heavy; delivers good tone; really has to be cranked very tight but doesn't pull the guitar sharp in doing so

 

Paige: A+ The cheapest in the group; very lightweight; doesn't affect tone; snugs up very quickly without having to crank it; does not pull tuning sharp

 

The G7th is the latest acquisition and has been getting exclusive use for the last month or so. While it is a very nice piece and by far the prettiest of the group, having to really crank down it is a distraction to me. It works very well but is not quick to move from one position to another. Last night I dug the old $20 Paige out of the box and strapped it on.........geez. Regardless of cost, this little black capo is the best of them all. Very easy to move and snug up at a new position quickly, it delivers good tone and is a low-profile, inconspicuous tool that does exactly what I expect from a capo.

 

Sure, the others are prettier and perhaps better known but none of them hold a candle to the little Paige for ease of use and functionality. If you're a yoke style capo fan you'll not find a better one than this. Bucster approved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As most of you regulars know already, I'm a gadget guy........I I love the tools of the trade and like to experiment with variations. Over the last year I've invested in a few different capos, seeking the one that works best for my purposes, regardless of cost. So in the quiver are a McKinney-Elliot, a Kat Eyez, a G7th Heritage and a Paige..........all yoke (or stirrup) style capos, my preferred design. For those that are interested in such things, here's my thoughts on this little collection of toys..........

 

The Elliot: B Well-made; a bit on the heavy side; seems to deliver a sub-par tone relative to the others (not sure why a capo affects tone, but it does); must be cranked tight to eliminate rattle

 

Kat Eyez: B Again, well-made; quite light with a slim build; tone not altered much; must be tightened pretty severely

 

G7th Heritage: B+ best build of the lot; robust construction but not heavy; delivers good tone; really has to be cranked very tight but doesn't pull the guitar sharp in doing so

 

Paige: A+ The cheapest in the group; very lightweight; doesn't affect tone; snugs up very quickly without having to crank it; does not pull tuning sharp

 

The G7th is the latest acquisition and has been getting exclusive use for the last month or so. While it is a very nice piece and by far the prettiest of the group, having to really crank down it is a distraction to me. It works very well but is not quick to move from one position to another. Last night I dug the old $20 Paige out of the box and strapped it on.........geez. Regardless of cost, this little black capo is the best of them all. Very easy to move and snug up at a new position quickly, it delivers good tone and is a low-profile, inconspicuous tool that does exactly what I expect from a capo.

 

Sure, the others are prettier and perhaps better known but none of them hold a candle to the little Paige for ease of use and functionality. If you're a yoke style capo fan you'll not find a better one than this. Bucster approved.

 

 

 

Thanks for the reviews, I for one find it useful as I have not purchased a capo in about three years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've owned and used many capos over the years:

 

Schubb Deluxe

Kaiser

Dunlop Trigger

G7th Performance

G7th Performance 2

G7th Newport

Thalia

PlanetWaves NS

 

I keep coming back to my Schubb Deluxe. It is light, accurate, adjustable and durable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am also a fan of gadgets, but as an owner of a Paige capo, I have not been able to justify to myself a purchase of one of the exclusive type yoke capos. I just can't see how it is possible to improve on the Paige. Sure, there are others that are prettier, have more expensive materials, and are more shiny, but I'm actually even more attracted to the less is more approach of the Paige. It gets the job done without being noticed. It does not have to be made of a secret titanium/kevlar/gold alloy to work perfectly.

 

Lars

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Capos, they aint what they used ta be.. (remember the round bars with the elastic/cloth wrapper with the holes in it.. Yep, my first capo.. what a beast.)

 

these days.. so many different ones..

 

I need to move em around pretty fast where the key or fret needed is changing and I don't find I have a lot of time to do it in my sitch.

 

The Thalia is a good one for the quick positioning The convertible tuning pads to match your neck radius seems to work very nicely. They include a bunch when you buy the capo, so chances are, if you have a few guitars you'll use them on, you'll have the right tuning pad. very well built and a bit elegant looking if that matters though a tad on the heavy side. You can slide it up on the nut to keep it handy if that floats yer boat.

 

I know a lot of peeps do not like kysers, I find they work ok if take a few seconds to line them up properly. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen someone using a Kyser or similar designed and you can see the E and A strings are pulled down from the top of the fret board.. - ya,, that's gonna be in tune... I have a few kyser partial capos which when combined with a full capo, can create some very cool tunings.

 

 

I also use a planet waves NS capo, nice and discrete but not as quick to set as others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Capos, they aint what they used ta be.. (remember the round bars with the elastic/cloth wrapper with the holes in it.. Yep, my first capo.. what a beast.)

 

these days.. so many different ones..

 

I remember what an improvement that elastic model was compared to the rubberband-and-No.2-pencil contraption I'd been using...😜

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thx, Mister Threadhost.

 

Been looking for an opportunity to present this one - The Hippie Shubb

 

2017 ~ The%20Hippie%20Shubb%202.jpg

 

 

 

Admit I kind of like it, , , but only for John B. Sebastian, Melanie and 1967 to 69 Donovan tunes. .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Paige and Shubb. My tune never changes!

 

Best of the lot is the first generation Paige. Someone gave it to me sometime in the mid-90's and it's worked beyond expectations ever since.

 

Also have a 2nd gen Paige that I bought later and a few black ones that are just fine.

 

Hey! Don't anybody demean us folks who started with homemade and graduated to elastic back in the day😠 The person STILL using the stretchy variety, now that's another matter😂

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've only got 2, a Zkyser and a G7. I try very hard not to use them mainly because I hate how they restrict my fretting hand. I'm constantly hitting the base of my 1st finger on the end of the capo down by the 1st string.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because I play a couple of songs with only 5 strings capoed I bring the g7th and a kyser to my little gig

 

And I find myself using the kyser more often than not.

Sure , if I was at a recording session I'd use something else , but it works the very best . Clamp it on , give the strings a little push toward the soundhole and welly away

 

They get a bum rap and it's a little unjustified

 

 

I did have a Paige a few years ago that has ran away somewhere. Just lost. But it was fantastic.

 

Each one has its own merits , even when it comes down to 'haven't used that in a while' and the novelty kicks in again

 

I honestly don't find one miles and miles better than the next.

 

If I was desert island stranded I'd probably want the shubb , but the rubber keeps falling off the 'rear' part of the capo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first capo was a Hamilton. I'm sure an orthodontist somewhere invented this one. That thing is huge! Heavy duty like a 53 Buick. I still have the thing and it still is as shiny as the first day I bought it. Man, can't fault the workmanship on this one. But now I'm a Shubb guy all the way. I have one in every guitar case. Best capo out there for me. But I still love my old Hamilton!!! I'm sure some of you still remember them, maybe even still have one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dunlop Victor is the sleeper that very few ever mention, but is the best capo I've ever owned and used in 25yrs of playing.

 

It's simple but just WORKS, like all good stuff. The only capo I've ever used that makes the guitar sound better when it's in use. It's made from bell brass and adds a beautiful resonant weight to the neck.

 

I have G7ths too, several of them in the silver (old style) and black (newer style) cam release variety, and they are just fine. I keep a gold Kyser in the case with my Epi Texan and that's okay too. When I'm working as a guitar tech I'm always amazed by the number of big name artists who use Kysers and the paucity of artists who use Shubbs. In fact I've never worked as a tech or tour manager for any Shubb users.

 

Most people I know who have tried the Victor have bought them and swear by them.

 

I'm always tempted by the Thalias et al, but I keep thinking that as nice as they are, Woody and Townes never needed an $80 capo to write those songs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thx, Mister Threadhost.

 

Been looking for an opportunity to present this one - The Hippie Shubb

 

2017 ~ The%20Hippie%20Shubb%202.jpg

 

 

 

Admit I kind of like it, , , but only for John B. Sebastian, Melanie and 1967 to 69 Donovan tunes. .

 

Now THAT is sexy. And country as HELL 😍

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dunlop Victor is the sleeper that very few ever mention, but is the best capo I've ever owned and used in 25yrs of playing.

 

It's simple but just WORKS, like all good stuff. The only capo I've ever used that makes the guitar sound better when it's in use. It's made from bell brass and adds a beautiful resonant weight to the neck.

 

I have G7ths too, several of them in the silver (old style) and black (newer style) cam release variety, and they are just fine. I keep a gold Kyser in the case with my Epi Texan and that's okay too. When I'm working as a guitar tech I'm always amazed by the number of big name artists who use Kysers and the paucity of artists who use Shubbs. In fact I've never worked as a tech or tour manager for any Shubb users.

 

Most people I know who have tried the Victor have bought them and swear by them.

 

I'm always tempted by the Thalias et al, but I keep thinking that as nice as they are, Woody and Townes never needed an $80 capo to write those songs.

Anyone who references Woody and Townes knows the absolute truth, IMHO

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thx, Mister Threadhost.

 

Been looking for an opportunity to present this one - The Hippie Shubb

 

2017 ~ The%20Hippie%20Shubb%202.jpg

 

 

 

Admit I kind of like it, , , but only for John B. Sebastian, Melanie and 1967 to 69 Donovan tunes. .

Been reflecting on this one for a while now - it suggested something to my more twisted side (the one that's twistier than the usual twisty side) that needed time to fully contort itself. It needs to be installed as the central, removable feature of a belt buckle! I mean to say the big honking sh!tkicker kind of belt buckle that some of us have a relatively huge stash thereof😱 What a great way to have your capo at the ready onstage or off!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

G7th Heritage: B+ ...really has to be cranked very tight...

 

I have found this to be the case with the G7th Newport as well, which is obviously not the yoke style design. Unfortunately the two that I have owned had to be cranked so tight to get a clean sound to my ears that they broke on me. I accept that it is user error on my part, but if I have to crank it so tight to get a clean sound that it breaks, then the capo is of no use to me. I hope you don't have this experience with the Heritage!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The hippie-capo isn't mine - I only saw it somewhere on the web. It should be available from Shubb, , , if not out of stock.

 

It sure is spectacular. Don't know if the leaf-pattern is too busy for that position though. Might disturb the eye.

 

The belt-buckle concept isn't bad, OC.

 

 

. . . . . . . . . Never clam down your fantasy ^ raise it with a capotasto

And check Melania's dress in Arabia - would fit very well there

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because I play a couple of songs with only 5 strings capoed I bring the g7th and a kyser to my little gig

 

 

 

 

thoust needeth one of these.. combined with a standard capo, you can drop D anywhere!! (but would it stillbe drop d? oh dear.. the questions..)

 

drop-d_zpsoza5f3rz.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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

×
×
  • Create New...