The Kyser Capo
The Kyser capo is the staple capo that everyone has heard of. When you think of a capo, you think of Kyser.
What up J.A.M. Nation, Joseph Allen Music here with you for another guitar tip (Guit-Tip) of the day. We are talking about the Kyser quick change capo. If you are not familiar with this, I love it. This capo is fantastic and over all it is a good capo. I’m a huge fan of it. The one thing it handles well is the ability to clamp it on from set to set very quickly. It is great, very easy to move, and does a fantastic job in these areas. It is so fast to place and is practically effortless. I understand why the Kyser capo has become so popular and a staple and one I currently use.
My First Look at the Kyser Capo
I remember when the first Kyser capo came out instead of the older style capos. Because of Kyser , the capo became usable. You did not have to fear about it falling off or it taking five minutes to put it on. 😅
Most Diverse Brand of Capo
Kyser has probably the most diverse options of capos. They have really made some unique ones. Some of their unique capos include:
Low action Kyser capo
Drop D Capo Kyser Capo
Partial capo/Cut Capo
Nylon string capo (Spanish/classical guitar)
Even some capos they do not make any more like k-lever capos. These are unique because one can place them, engage them, and release them without taking the capo off.
Is the Kyser Capo the Best?🤔
However, just because Kyser does all of this, it does not mean that it is the best capo. The Kyser capo is easy to use and very fast in a set. It feels very natural.
However, one thing I do not like as much are the harmonics. The Capo does not handle my harmonics very well on the fifth fret. It does handles them very well on the 12th fret. The 7th fret is a middle ground for me. It is not bad harmonics but not the greatest either. If you do not play with harmonics you do not have to worry about this.
Trouble with Tuning
You will have a little trouble with your tuning. It tends to make the tuning sharp. I am a fan of being a pinch more flat than I am sharp. You can get away with more with stuff. It will not stick out as much. You always need to tune after placing the capo on the guitar. However, I understand, as a guitarist, we do not always have this luxury.
Kyser Capos Damage Your Instrument! 😨
After time, people started to notice damage on the back of guitar necks. These little indentions, players began to discover it was the capo 😱 the Kyser capo damages your guitar necks. I recommend to use them only for the Sunday service worship or whenever your gig is going on. When practicing, use another capo that will not damage your guitar. Using something once a week will minimize this from happening.
I cannot get around the fact that they are the easiest capo to use. THis capo is most players favorite capo for this reason. If the guitar gets too damaged, one has to take his guitar to a luthier. What is a Luthier? A Luthier is basically a guitar mechanic or doctor. To find out more learn more on Luthiers here. I like my guitars to not be damaged. To combat some of these issues Kyser invented the ….Low action Kyser capo
Low Action/Tension Kyser Capo
To address some of these problems Kyser came out with the low-tension Kyser capo. This capo will fix your tuning problems so much. It is also suppose to not damage the back of your guitar neck. However, time will tell if this is true. Unfortunately Kyser no longer makes this capo so you have to find it on the used market. I personally recommend to use another capo. There are great alternatives like Shubb, G7th, Thalia, and more.
Better than the Kyser Capo
The G7th Nashville capo is their version of the Kyser style capos. It is sooooooo good. If you are looking for a capo like the Kyser, this is the one. It also does NOT damage the back of your guitar neck. 😁🙌
I personally use other capos first before I use Kyser. Only as a last resort, will I use a Kyser capo. If I use a Kyser capo, I will only use it for the gig or during worship. During practice, I will use another capo to reduce the damage that a Kyser capo can do. For years I did not know what the indentions of the back of my guitar neck were until later. 😑 thanks Kyser. 👍 A warning label would have been nice. They do not cover damages to your guitars that the capo cause.
Tips to Help Limit the Damage of Your Kyser Capo
Over all, the Kyser capo is really good. It is the easiest to use and the fastest. You just need to use it for the gig or during the worship set. This will limit the time it is on the neck of the guitar. Kyser is a great capo. However, instead of making different colors, they need to make it quit messing up the neck of the guitar. Then this will truly be perfect. 👍😁 They would sell sooooo much more of these. I’d could live with a Kyser capo the rest of my life. If they updated the Kyser capo, I would buy it and ask for forgiveness from my wife. 😅 jk It is so cheap you would not have too. 😂🙌 I would use this capo for every gig. I would say, yes, to a sponsorship with this change. 👍
Kyser Capo Chart
Here is a list of capos from Kyser Musical. They do a fantastic job at breaking them down for you to pick the one that will serve you best. You can check out all their current options.
Dont Fret What Fret It’s On
Are you Tired of placing the capo wrong during a gig at a worship set? If you want to know how to play in any key with a capo confidently, you can get this FREE capo chart, Don’t Fret What Fret It’s On
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God bless 🙌
