|
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | How long does it take a capo to wear dents in my frets?
My 4861 came with little grooves in the first fret from a capo. (No big deal really.) Now I finally have a song that I need to use a capo on...
So just how long will it take me to destroy my frets?
I know that I'm stressing over nothing, but some advice from the O-cultists would be appreciated, on proper capo usage and such stuff.
I need seven guitarists to tell me I'm doing it wrong! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Can I start?
Toss out the old nylon strap and outdated configurations of capo. Get a Schubb and if you have to, a Kyser.
The metal frame of a capo should never, ever come in contact with or disfigure the fretboard, neck or frets.
When you capo you want the rubber surface to set just behind the crest of the fret.
Use just enough pressure to hold the capo and resist the urge to over clamp.
There is a web site that showed me. I'll look for it tomorrow.
G'Night all. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I got a nylon rubber-band capo, that I have NEVER used! It came with one of my guitars. I have a ratchet-plastic capo. In over a year, and a bunch of song, I finally really need to use one for a coupla songs in my collection.
I look forward to all suggestions.
Thank you for your help. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | i like the schubb, as recommended by woody. i have a kyser also which is designed to be able to attach/move with one hand. they are both very good but the schubb provides the cleanest sound in my opinion. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Schubb or G7 are the best. Kyser is a popular choice. Woody's description of how to use it is accurate. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | ive never used a G7 but ive got a schubb and a old keyser that ive had for years. schubb is a verry good capo...i dont use one much other than playing around tho...jason |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | As others have eluded, the Capo shouldn't wear on the guitar any more than playing without a capo does.
While we are on Capo's I don't see Bird Of Paradise capo's mentioned here often. I really like'em. Very easy to put on and take off. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | My $0.02:
Yes, using a capo a LOT will increase fret wear. Just look at the Martins that the bluegrass guys play. They use capos all the time and it shows.
BUT, for normal use, its a non factor. Using a capo once in a while isn't going to destroy your frets, no matter which one you choose. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The G7 is nearly impossible to over-tighten |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | The Planet Waves NS Capo is a great little capo. you can "micro" adjust the pressure with the screw adjuster. Its also nice and small and light so it doesn't get in the way. The spring clamp type of capo have no pressure adjustment so I could see how they could wear you down alot faster |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I like a Shubb or a Paige. Lately I have been thinking of getting a G7. I use a capo a lot and do not see where using one will excessively damage the frets. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | The Kyser is the WORST, IMO. They exert too much pressure causing tuning problems and excessive fret wear. Schubbs rock, but I will always use the Russell strap kind, as those are the ones used to slide-modulate up to another key while still playing. (hold the chord with the 3,4,5 of the left hand and slide with the T and index)
It's an old recording trick that saves on overdubs in the studio, i.e. saves $$$. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | G7 or Shubb. No worries. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | I've used Shubbs, Kysers, Dunlop triggers among others. I refused to get a G7 cuz they were so expensive. Then a friend lent me one. I now own two and will use nothing else, unless of course, I leave both of 'em behind and only have one of the others. Then it's Dunlop, Schubb and Kyser in that order. The Dunlop being easy to use with out chaging the sound as much as the Kyser. The Schubb changes the sound less once it's adjusted correctly, but that's a pain when switching guitars, positions, etc. The Kyser is a last resort, but better than nothing.
One other nice thing about the G7 is that it works waaaaaay better on electrics than any of the others, even with jumbo frets. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | Third
Hand Capo
hey, anyone seen this capo before?
Temp, you oughta like this one!
and is that the Takamine EF75S some of you are raving about in the demo? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I've been importing the Third Hand into the UK for 6 or 7 years. Rumour has it that Jeff is working on an improved non-elastic version. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | aloha paul,
that's the first time i've seen it. i rarely use a capo anyway, but all this capo talk had me searching out the available options. obviously this capo has been discussed here before.
mahalo!
edit:
(just did a search and found other "third hand capo" discussions.) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Originally posted by Lanaki:
Third Hand Capo
hey, anyone seen this capo before?
Temp, you oughta like this one!
and is that the Takamine EF75S some of you are raving about in the demo? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I forgot, The Glider is most excellent and only about $20. You can modulate while playing with these. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | goober,
you reminded me that i also have a glider capo. i've used it once or twice since buying it about four years ago. it works pretty good. i first saw it being used by kevin williams who is the main guitarist for bill gaither. he had his attached above the nut at the beginning of a song and rolled it over the nut down to the second fret in the blink of an eye.
phone home, son. your wife misses you. you've been hanging out at the ups terminal for days now. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Shubb, G7 or Keyser. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | I use the Keyser... no complaints.
Easy on...Easy off :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Thankz for all the input. The previous owner of my 4861 used a capo often enough that he screwed-up the Ovation decal on my headstock. He said that is where he kept his capo when he wasn't using it. Apparently he used it so much that he needed quick access.
The first fret has wear that my local luthier diagnosed as over-zealous capo use.
That is not a major problem, but I just didn't wanna do the same thing to my 1621.
So I appreciate the education.
Keep those cards and letters comin'... |
|
| |
Capo - and fret damage?