Best capo for a Guild jumbo...?

[killdeer43]

crap, i just called to swap out my Kyser 6-string for a Kyser 12-string on my order, but they had already shipped! huge kudos to them for the quick turnaround, but i couldn't do the swap. oh well, i'll check out the 6-string model, and if it seems not to do the trick, they said i can return later for the 12-string model...

Won't hurt a thing to have both.
It's almost like CAS....Capo Acquisition Syndrome. :lol:

Joe

 

[Graham]

I always felt the Kyser 12 did a very good job. And I don't keep them on headstocks, anymore. :mrgreen:

 

[RussD]

Imho:
1) McKinney Elliott
2) Planet Waves NS
3) G7

 

[ac1dt3st]

crap, i just called to swap out my Kyser 6-string for a Kyser 12-string on my order, but they had already shipped! huge kudos to them for the quick turnaround, but i couldn't do the swap. oh well, i'll check out the 6-string model, and if it seems not to do the trick, they said i can return later for the 12-string model...

Won't hurt a thing to have both.
It's almost like CAS....Capo Acquisition Syndrome. :lol:

Joe

oh man, Joe... are you telling me i have both GAS and CAS now...?

add that to my SAS: Scotch Acquisition Syndrome.

seems to be a lot of AS around here...
(wait, did i just type that...?)

 

[spiderman]

I use Shubb deluxe, tried G7 and it did not work well, had to keep checking it, big disappointment , Kysers work fine but when I use them on the 5th or 6th fret they get in the way of my stubby fingers. IMHO no capo should be left on a guitar headstock or neck unless you are playing, same goes for straps, clip on tuners, or nitro finish guitars left on stands for longer than a few hours. With that in mind I have never had a finish issue.

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S 2008
Eastman AC320ce 2008 BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde) 2008
JF55 1997
D25M 1974
Martin Grand J35E 2009

 

[hearth_man]

Shubb... for 6-string steel, 12-string steel, classical. They make all.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Very informative thread.
Think I'm going to invest in a Shubb capo.....mainly for 12 string.
I have 2 Kysers for the twelves, but above the 5th fret, the intonation seems to be off.
Really doesn't seem to matter whether or not the git has a compensated saddle.
The J.Dunlop does a better job for me, above the 5th fret.

 

[drive-south]

Imho:
1) McKinney Elliott
2) Planet Waves NS
3) G7

I'd love to get an Elliott or McKinney (both made by Elliot and both sell north of $120).
I wasn't aware that they made a 12-string model. Their design wraps around the neck like the Paige capo and may not fit all 12-string necks.

It's interesting that your' first pick is a $120 capo, and your' second pick (Planet Waves NS) sells for under $20. The G7 is a $45-50 capo. I own one and it is far, far from being my fav. I also own one of their Nashville capos. I like it even less.

The Planet Waves NS wins in many categories, especially price. Some people buy them and cut them down and make partial capos from them. You can cut them and make a Drop-D capo very easily. The alloy material is easy to cut and file smooth. If you don't own an NS capo, do yourself a favor and buy one. We're talking about an item that cost under $20 and works exactly the way it's supposed to. I also own a Planet Waves capo with adjustable tension, but I dont' like it nearly as much as the NS. I tried it last night on my JF30-12 and couldn't get enough tension to clamp the strings for clean sound. I then attached the NS, tightened it a tad, and the guitar sound great. Just get one. You can use it on your' 6-string, 12-string, banjo, mando, or for closing the potato chip bag.

Elliot Capos are very similar in design to a Paige capo, but the precision and accuracy is more like fine jewelry. Some people would never, ever consider spending $120 on a capo. Others wouldn't use anything else. They are very popular with the Blue-grass crowd. They make mandolin and banjo capos that are #1 amongst Bluegrass players.

drive-south

 

[RussD]

I'd love to get an Elliott or McKinney (both made by Elliot and both sell north of $120).

Yup, got mine after a workshop at which Lloyd Maines raved about them. I used that old rationale about a $20 capo on a $1500 guitar ( i hope that's what JF-65's run nowadays ) to justify it to myself. It's one of those tools that is simply "right"; kinda' like a Snap-On socket set.

 

[Bing k]

shubb
+1

 

[ac1dt3st]

you don't know what you've got... until you get something else.

just got my Kyser 6-string model yesterday. haven't tried it on my F-30 or GF-25 yet, but i can tell you that on my F-50R, the G7th capo i already have outperformed the Kyser on every fret from 1st to 7th. the Kyser will be going back.

part of it is patience; i have to remember to take the time to open the G7th fully before placing on a jumbo neck. i don't mind having a backup capo, so i'll read through this thread again. however, based on what i've read here, i think i may try for a Planet Waves NS or Shubb deluxe, although i've always had trouble keeping intonation correct with Shubbs. they always seem to clamp the guitar out of tune for me. i will own that part of that may be technique; you have to approach each style of capo differently.

anyway, thanks again for all your thoughts and comments.

 

[chazmo]

Doc. Iz, and acid...

Just a thought, but I think the intonation will be off with any capo unless the kyser is *really* pulling hard. With a Shubb, the tension is adjusted wtih a little thumbwheel that you can tweak tighter or looser really quickly and easily, but functionally it does the same thing as the spring-loaded capos. I'll be interested to know if you have a tuning difference with a different capo.

For me the real advantage of the Shubb was that adjustability meant I could dial back tension just until buzz sets in. I really like having that control. But getting the right clamping action doesn't fix intonation. You still have to adjust when you place the capo. If you do it right, though, it'll stay in tune while you have it engaged.

 

[shepke]

Check out the Planet waves NS capo that eddieZ mentioned above. It works sort of like the G7 but at a fraction of the price. The cool thing about these is that you can fine tune the tension quickly while the capo is on the guitar to get optimal intonation. Put the capo on and tighten it down until there's no string buzzing. Then check the intonation. If it's off, lessen the pressure bit by bit until you find the sweet spot where's there's just enough tension to hold the strings down firmly against the frets but not enough to send the strings out of tune. They work great on every guitar I have, especially on my 12 stringer.

http://store.daddario.com/category/146486/NS_Capos

 

[chazzan]

I have always liked Shubb. Depending on the radius of the neck you can use a six or twelve string capo. Currently I use the Shubb acoustic six string capo on my f-112- it fits better than the 12 string capo does.

You can also buy replacement sleeves when the old ones wear out.

 

[devellis]

Check out the Planet waves NS capo that eddieZ mentioned above. It works sort of like the G7 but at a fraction of the price. The cool thing about these is that you can fine tune the tension quickly while the capo is on the guitar to get optimal intonation. Put the capo on and tighten it down until there's no string buzzing. Then check the intonation. If it's off, lessen the pressure bit by bit until you find the sweet spot where's there's just enough tension to hold the strings down firmly against the frets but not enough to send the strings out of tune. They work great on every guitar I have, especially on my 12 stringer.

http://store.daddario.com/category/146486/NS_Capos

Next only to the Shubb, this is my favorite capo. Once adjusted, the Shubb goes on and comes off the neck a bit faster than the Planet Waves but otherwise, I'd rate them as a tie. The Kysers always seemed like a brute-force solution, with enough tension for the toughest situation but too much for most situations. I've also heard of damage to the back of the neck from them. They're great for speedy relocating, though -- no question.

I have a hard time imagining the McKinney being worth what it costs for me. Clearly, they're superbly made and for a performing pro, especially in a recording studio context, that quality may well be worth it. But it's way too rich for my modest needs.

 

[Cypress Knee]

I used to use Keyser all the time then switched to G7 and was happier. The Keyser's would change the intonation on the guitar and I would have to re-tune after putting them on and taking them off.

I would occasionally run into fingering issues with the G7, that pointy tip just did not agree with my hands all the time.

Then I found Shubb. More expensive than Keyser, but so much better.

And not just on Guilds.

CK

 

[jcwu]

The Kysers always seemed like a brute-force solution, with enough tension for the toughest situation but too much for most situations. I've also heard of damage to the back of the neck from them. They're great for speedy relocating, though -- no question.

Yes!!! I damaged the back of one of my necks with a Kyser - I think I took it off too quick and scraped against the neck. Finish now has a dent in it. Ouch!

I used to use Keyser all the time then switched to G7 and was happier. The Keyser's would change the intonation on the guitar and I would have to re-tune after putting them on and taking them off.

I've heard of the Kyser affecting the intonation from applying too much pressure, but this is the first time I've heard of it changing the tuning!

My solution for the intonation problem? I apply the capo as close to the fret as possible, so it's ALMOST sitting right on the fret. I've had little to no intonation problems with Kysers once I adopted this approach.

Of course, with the G7th Nashville, I don't have the intonation problem at all..

 

[ac1dt3st]

o.k., the verdict is in. i sent the Kyser back, and had them send the Planet Waves NS.

while i think the G7th works slightly better overall, and especially on smaller necks,
and on the lower frets of the F-50R, the Planet Waves NS works almost as well overall...

...and the Planet Waves is the clear winner for me when doing upper fret (5th-7th)
capo work on the jumbo. it slips on a lot more comfortably, and the ratchet action
gives me a high degree of control over the tension and intonation.

it's just what i was looking for! :!:

so, thanks everyone for your input, and i second any and all motions for the Planet Waves,
especially for a larger or thicker neck. and, i'm glad i still have my G7th, because it's still
my favorite capo on my thinner-necked Guilds.

thanks again to everyone for your input and feedback...

 

[6L6]

Schubb

 

[ac1dt3st]

Schubb

i did revisit mine during this whole process, and i can't love the Schubb.
it's pretty good, but the G7th and Planet Waves work far better for me...