Your Finger the first capo – barre chords
If you want to learn how to play barre chords in 30 days take a look at these guitar lessons.
One of the original capos was rather hard to use. Today we are rather spoiled with capos. I remember the first time I discovered a capo. At times not the most reliable thing in the word and one definitely does not want to take it off or move it once it is placed on the neck of the guitar.
Here is a history of capos if you would like to see some of the first models.
Today, there are more available options
6. What types of capos exist today?
spring‑clamp (quick‑change),
lever‑action,
screw‑on,
rolling,
and partial capos for creative voicings
I remember the first time I found a Kyser capo and when it came out.
The Kyser Capo
Kyser
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 with it. 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. I remember when the first Kyser capo came out instead of the Kyser older style capos. The capo became usable. You did not have to fear about it falling off or it taking five minutes to put it on. 😅
If you want to see the various kinds of capos, Kyser Musical does 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.
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 don’t make any more like 4 types of k-lever capos. These are unique because one can place them, engage them, and release them without taking the capo off.
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 is it does not handle my harmonics very well on the fifth fret but 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. It f you do not play with harmonics you do not have to worry about this.
You may 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 because you can get away 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.
This is the biggest problem I have with the Kyser capo. Regular Kyser capos are known to damage the back of your guitar neck. The capo begins to make indentions on the back of your guitar neck. This has happened to some of my own guitars. When they become bad enough, you have to take them to a luthier. What is a luthier? It is basically a doctor and technician for guitars. To learn more on how luthiers can help your guitar take a look at how to make you guitar sound like new.
However, a quick fix to not be out of tune as much or not damage the back of your guitar neck is to get 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.
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.
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, but 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 wouldn’t have too 😂🙌 I would use this capo for every gig. I could royalty be sponsored by them with this change. 👍
Tired of placing the capo wrong during a gig at r 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
If you want to see the various kinds of capos, Kyser Musical does a fantastic job at breaking them down for you to pick the one that will serve you best.
Some of these capos include:
Low action Kyser capo
This is great to help fine tune your guitar and does not clamp down as hard. It is also designed to supposedly not damage the neck of your guitar.
Drop D Capo Kyser Capo
This helps you have a drop D tuning by using a capo and not having to change the tuning of your guitar. Drop D tuning requires you to tune the low E string of the guitar a whole step down to D.
If you would like to know how to tune your low E string down to a D watch this free video here. This teaches whole and half step tuning for a guitar.
This style of music is very popular across various genres and one I use very often. Very fun to play.
If you want to skip this step of tuning just get the drop D capo and place the capo on. The capo frets all of the strings on the guitar except the low E string. It remains open. This allows for that Drop D feeling. Very cool and handy.
Partial capo/Cut Capo
With a partial capo you can make open A and DADGAD tuning.
This capo is made for 12 string guitars. If you have a guitar with 12 strings you will need this special capo. different guitars have a different number of strings. To have an edge you will need a specific capo made for that specific number of strings. For example if you have a 12 string, 6 strings, 7 string, or 8 string guitars you will need a specific capo for this.
Electric guitars require a much lighter action, the fretboard will be a different radius, and small subtleties. Since this is the case you will need a capo made specifically for electric guitars. You can put a regular capo on them but it will never hold the tuning right.
Acoustic capos also fall under different tension, radius, and small subtleties.
Nylon string capo (Spanish/classical guitar)
Even some capos they don’t make any more like
4 types of k-lever capos. These are unique because one can place them and engage and release
An amazing video showing what two of these K-lever capos can do is by Phil Keaggy.
Just YouTube K-lever Kyser capos Phil Keaggy. You will NOT be disappointed.🤘🤩🎸
Don’t Fret What Fret It’s On
Do you not know how to use a capo or would like to know the professional edge? Take a look at these lessons, Don’t Fret What Fret It’s On, with a FREE capo chart on how to use it
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 using another capo that will not damage your guitar. Using something once a week will minimize this from happening. I cannot get around they are the easiest capo to use and most players favorite capo for this reason.
To combat this Kyser invented the …. Low action Kyser capo
Low Action/Tension Kyser Capo
The Low action was made to combat this. Time will tell if it works. It does hold tuning much better.
Kyser Capo Chart
Acoustic, electric, nylon (classical/spanish), 12 string, partial capos, mandolin, banjo, ukulele,
Here is a list of current Kyser capos
The Shubb Capo
Shubb
The Shubb is a capo that goes more for precision of tone than speed. While it is not designed to move quickly like the Kyser capo, your instrument will be more in tune. This capo does not damage the back of the neck. The Shubb is very close on the price range to the Kyser capo. For the price, the Shubb is the best budget capo that one could possibly buy. One might have to spend a lot of money to get a better sounding capo for the tone of your guitar. This is my preferred choice over the Kyser capo. If you are someone looking for best bang for your buck, this is the capo you want. Many professions use it. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
Shubb makes capos for steel string, nylon (Spanish classical), 12 string, vintage fender, banjo mandolin, bouzouki, ukulele, and Doubro. Shubb also has partial capos.
Not only do they have these types of instruments but it gets even more detailed to find the exact capo within each category. They accommodate for necks and fretboard radius as well. They are very thorough.
Shubb Capos
The Shubb capos have 5 main model numbers. The first mode number is
#4 Vintage Electric Guitars with 7.25” radius.
#5 banjo, mandolin, and bouzouki
#6 Dobro
#9 ukulele
Types of Capos for each Model number
Once you learn what Model number you need for your instrument, you will then pick the style of capo. Not every style of capo transfers from instrument to instrument BUT they have some really good stuff. The main styles of Shubb capos are:
Standard – C1 (polished nickel), C1n (brushed nickel)
Shubb also has Limited edition that you can take a look at as well.
Shubb Capo Chart
Here is a Shubb capo chart to find the best option for each type of capo that best fits your needs.
I love the fact that Shubb has tiers of capos that range from affordable prices to high end capos. Any and every player can find the exact capo he is looking for.
The Paige Capo
Paige
Here is a current list of available capos
The XGuitars Capo
XGuitars has the 21st Century Cejilla specifically for flamenco style. This is by far my favorite capo for nylon string guitars. This capo is perfect. It does not allow for a quick change but if you are looking for for the best intonation this is the one. The running of the guitar holds very nicely
Has probably the best nylon guitar capo.
The G7th Capo
G7th
The G7th capo
This resource for a capo chart is great to pick the best capo for your needs.
From personal experience, the G7th is very similar to the Kyser capo but it is just better. The G7th has several styles of capos. They have the Nashville capo which is exactly the same style of the Kyser capo with a quick release. If you want one like the Kyser capo but does NOT damage your guitar neck, this is the one.
The G7th performance 3 is a capos that allow you to select the amount of pressure. This is nice because it will adjust the necessary tension to your specific guitar. You can replace the string pd that lays across the strings when it wears out. It also works for steel string, electric, and nylon string guitars. Kyser will make you buy 3 different capos to do this. G7th gives you all three in one and it does not hurt your neck.
If you need a capo with a little more fine adjustment the Newport capo is a great choice. You have to screw the capo down to apply pressure. While this is not fast it is amazing for just a little edge.
The performance 2 capo is made for nylon strings. These strings are traditionally placed on Spanish/classical guitars. You also can find them on about any instruments these days. These nylon guitars normally have wider necks and the strings require much less pressure. If you have a nylon string guitar you will want a capo specifically just for it.
The Ultra Light has a design so similar to some of the old school capos. Very cool and super affordable. Do not expect to make this capo quick. However, if you want an old school capo with modern improvements, this is the dude!
The Heritage capo is the cream of the crop. It is their Cadillac capo. It does not change frets super quick. However, the intonation that this capo has, will make you forget all about the speed. This capo and the Elliott are AMAZING in tone. No competition.
They may not do partial, drop D, etc…..
When you watch a lot of music videos and live performances a lot of Christian musicians in the industry are using these capos now. The performance 3 in particular for good reason.
The Thalia Capo
Thalia
The Thalia capo is a more artisan capo. Someone who is looking a an upgrade and desires to have an edge with a capo, the Thalia is a good choice.
This capo is able to change the rubber heads to fit your guitar the best.
It also works on various instruments. While the capo is a little more pricy, you only need one capo for several instruments. Very handy and saves money. 🙌
The Thalia holds tuning really well. If you want a quick action, similar to the Kyser, this is a quick changing capo. It just does it better. I’ve notice people take a little getting used to the Thalia capo when they have been used to a Kyser capo. People appear to move the Kyser capo easier but the Thalia holds the intonation better and does not damage the guitar.
If you have the need to change the fret of the capo, and do not have time to tune, which I would always take the time to tune, I would choose the Thalia as the best option. It is the best capo to have without tuning your guitar as you change frets. The intonation is really good. if you lead worship and have to move the capo quickly or you are performing and need a fast key change, the Thalia is amazing for this. This capo holds the BEST tuning WITHOUT TUNING the guitar.
Here is a fret bird radius guide for guitar, make and model. If you want to know what the best fit for your guitar will be this is a great resource.
The Glider Capo
Glider capo
The glider capo is unique and can change keys while playing. It is so unique and, you guessed it, glides across the strings to change strings. You can change keys by going up or down. I have had some players say it fits some guitars better than others.
The Spider Capo
Spider capo
The spider capo can fret individual strings. You get to choose which strings to fret and which ones to leave open.
You can get harmonic gloves that are made of rubber as an add on that go on the tips of the spider capo. This allows one to make harmonics on the guitar. So you can fret individual strings, have harmonics on certain strings, and leave some strings open. This opens so many doors. You can even add several spider capos to make even more unique options.
The Elliott
Elliott
The Elliot is the king of capos. It is the cadalack of capos.
It does not change fast. The biggest catch is it is only made for one guitar. You have to send your specifications for the guitar you want the Elliott capo to be on. This is what makes it so amazing. It is not a one size fits most. This capo makes your guitar shine with a capo that is designed specifically for it.
Elliott capo specializes in acoustic guitar and banjo.
