Capo use

Tsuken · Post by **Tsuken** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:03 am

...capo use while bending strings wildly, that is.

Background: if/when I get my Warlock done (I might just paint it a dodgy black and put a stickerchick on it

), the plan is big fat strings, tuned to Drop C/standard down a tone. Then if I wanted std tuning down a semi-tone (a la EVH/SRV/bloody half the world, it seems sometimes), I could put a capo at the first fret, and we'd be away; or for drop D I could put it down to drop C and capo the 2nd fret - and again we'd be away.

That's the theory, however any time I've used a capo and bent a string (at all) I end up wildly out of tune, as the strings slide vertically between fret/baord/capo and stay there when I release the bend. I'm using a Shubb quick-release capo. Have I just not got it on tight enough?- or is there a particular brand or type of capo that would address this?

... Or is this "just one of those things" with capos?

- and my evil plan is destined to fail dismally

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:04 pm

Capos and bending are inheretly opposed. The only solution is no capo and 12 guitars all in different tunings. You may tell your wife you have my permission to buy enough gear to cover that.

Rog said I had to do, dear - its all Rog's fault - damn him...

Tsuken · Post by **Tsuken** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:47 pm

damn - I rather feared that might be the case. I might have to reassess the down-tuned/heavy strings thing then and just have it in standard.

...or Eb and go ahead with putting a whammy on it.

...or have it down-tuned to D and buggrit.

I have no idea what to do now. Thanks Rog

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:09 pm

LOL - UR welcome mate - what are friends for?

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:13 pm

I can't say that I've ever tried a capo except on an acoustic guitar. I tend to agree that string bending would prolly be unwise.

Bluesbird · Post by **Bluesbird** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:14 pm

Haven't used my capo in a while, so I can't remember I it coped with bends. I use a Shubb capo as well. The G7th capos are becoming very popular (and expensive), so maybe they're better suited to bending.

Polar Bear · Post by **Polar Bear** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:06 am

Rog is 100% correct, you jsut need more guitars, there's no second option. I think perhaps it's time for a hummingbird in lurid green.

Or how about a Vester flying V with a bolt on nech and one pickup, with "homemade" polka dots ala Randy...

You know you want to!

Tsuken · Post by **Tsuken** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:51 am

I have three fully-functional electrics currently. The Warlock will make 4. I've got two other guitar bodies lying around - only one's plywood, and I don't know what the other is

A V would be nice, and I definitely aim to have some sort of a V at some stage, but it's a little ways down the GAS priority chain atm

ash · Post by **ash** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:47 am

I just had a little play with a strat and an Ashton/Kyser capo and it seems to work ok with 1 and 2 tone bends. A few little grooves in the front corner of the rubber and fitting it close to the fret would probably be quite acceptable.

The old style capos with the stretchy band would be useless though.