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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2008 : 8:33:19 PM
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I bought a Shubbs capo (http://www.shubb.com/) like the one in the upper left corner of the website. Could not be more pleased. For some reason, tuning errors are reduced significantly. Low profile keeps it out of the way. 'Course, you can't hang it off the peghead when not in use (like some silly status symbol, i.e. an aligator on your polo shirt) but it is every bit as versitile as one of those spring jobs. Prettier too (does that matter?)
Mike
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Aloha, Mike |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 10:49:57 PM
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| Thind hard and long before you buy anything that is chrome plated. Chrome plating is way bad for the environment, offers absolutely no corrosion protection, and the chromic acid used in plating eats holes through the nasal septa of those actually doing the plating. Waste disposal is a major problem. Many locales have outlawed chroome plating in their environs. Worse yet, many times, an object is first nickel or cadmium plated prior to chrome plating. Both nickel and cad are way bad, too. Tis a dilemma. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 04:36:14 AM
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Mike,
They're nice capoes. Good choice. I don't use it for gigs for the reason you said. I like being able to keep one on the head.
BTW: I learned about 20 songs before my nose started falling off. There are trade offs in life.
Enjoy,
dog |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 07:00:25 AM
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They're some of the best capos there are. The design is brilliant in it's elegant simplicity.
But again, it depends what you use it for. I play a lot in acoustic sessions over here. My friend Belfast Brian plays in a D tuning of his own devising, and our traditional music changes key quite often. With the 'spring' type capo he can change the key without dropping a beat. With a Shubb, it takes a little bit longer, and there's a 'gap' in the accompaniment which nobody likes.
But if you don't need to do a 'quick change' then a Shubb will proabably be your best bet. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 07:00:43 AM
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| yep, my nose is still here too . . . LOL funny! |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 09:13:48 AM
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| Tried all kinds. Latest one is a Dan Crary. It looked similar to one endorsed and used by Sonny Lim therefore I wanted to try it. It might be too expensive for most players though but Iʻm sort of an equipment junky. Iʻm thinking of getting a vocal harmony machine in the near future. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 10:50:14 AM
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Those Shubb capos with the roller ball are simply the best (although the Victor brass screw-down ones are great if you have the time). Both just don't change the tuning after they are set. We have used them for years.
For a fast change of keys, Sarah has one that is on rollers. We first saw, and heard, it used by Muriel Anderson in a small, sorta private concert. It blew our minds. Like magic. Muriel had it sitting behind the nut and just swooped it down over the fretboard and *blink* the key changed. I don't remember its name, but I'll ask Sarah.
...Reid |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 2:36:46 PM
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| I don't get it. How can one capo be better than another. They all do the same thing, no? Seems to me it is a pretty simple device. Does it really make a difference or are yunz equipment snobs? |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 6:44:31 PM
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Certain kinds of capoing require the capo to be flipped. The big handles of the spring types can then get in the way. Yes, Shubbs capo tends to not change the tuning. I have no idea why.
As for noses falling off, unless your guitar(s) use French Polish, then someone prolly gave up the ghost for its finish. At least with a French Polish, you can drink and rub at the same time.
Oh, please, don't tell me you drive a car...
Mike |
Aloha, Mike |
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Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 10:08:01 PM
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Wanda, some capos are large and bulky, thus interfering with hand movement. Beyond that the amount of pressure they apply to the strings is significant in that, the more pressure the more it throws the strings out of tune. Placing the capo almost right on the fret can reduce the problem, but then, there it is right in the way of your hand.
Capos that are designed in such a way that you can adjust the pressure have an advantage because they don't distort the tuning as much....unless you really tighten it up. I use a Dunlop Victor Capo that is adjustable http://www.music123.com/Dunlop-Victor-Capo-361513-i1130203.Music123?source=ZWWRWXGB I like it pretty well but there are others out there that look interesting, including the Shubb. |
What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
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slackkeymike
Lokahi
440 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 06:32:20 AM
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Very good points Podagee57. Also, don't forget flipped capoing (partial capoing where the first (and second) strings are not capoed). The handles on a traditional spring capo can get in the way.
Uh, it does seem to me that capoing too close to the fret introduces tunning errors as the string angle relative to the fret increases. If what you say is true, our fingering should be closer to the fret. Mine is in the middle.
For those worrying about noses falling off, I think they make a black anodized version, but rumors have it that peoples ears fall off for that one..
Mike |
Aloha, Mike |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 07:45:35 AM
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quote:
If what you say is true, our fingering should be closer to the fret. Mine is in the middle.
Well, your fingering should be closer to the fret. Ditto with capo position.
However, as with all things, your mileage may vary, depending on how your guitar is set up, etc.
quote:
Does it really make a difference or are yunz equipment snobs?
Wanda, Wanda, Wanda--- and you live with a musician! Ask Paul. He will tell you that a large part of a musician's life is spent trying to find the perfect little gizmo that does whatever it is all the similar gizmo's do, only slightly better.
F'rinstance-- I own at least half a dozen capos (including one of those ancient deals with the big elastic strap)-- each has its strengths and weaknesses. I have two Shubbs (old and new style). I have some weird old patent pending job with little fingers to help position it correctly just behind the fret (see comment above). And one of those handy quick change jobs that I hang on the headstock cuz it keeps it handy.
I have never worn a shirt with an alligator on it, but I used to hang a plastic gator from my microphone for zydeco gigs.
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kealii
Aloha
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 4:06:48 PM
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| I have one of these. Its a little clumsy to handle, but once you put it on its great! |
"Geevum ... one more time!" (Gabby) |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 5:05:14 PM
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GAS can also stand for Gadget Acquisition Syndrome. I think Paul has a couple of capos. I think one for banjo also. I just could not see what the brouhaha is about, since the idea of what a capo is supposed to do is pretty non-complex. But, I guess, if you build a better moustrap.....
Black anodize is better. First of all can only be done on aluminum and it is not any type of electroplating if it is dyed black anodize. All it is is a chemical conversion coating which oxidizes the first frew molecular layers of aluminum to keep it from oxidizing further. I shouldn't think that it would be too necessary anyhow, since you are going to leave it out in the rain, or put it coupled with a dissimilar metal, are you? There is also hard coat anodizing, which a lot of cookware lately is being treated with. That does the same thing, however, much stronger acid solutions are used -- usually chromic acid or very strong sulfuric solutions, but electrical current is used. That method provides a very hard, durable finish, but certainly not necessary for something like a capo. I like anodizing with a chromate rinse, which gives the metal a lovely golden hue. You could just twist some wire around the neck of your guitar, couldn't you?
And do not put them little nails iin your banjo for the 5th string. I think you can buy some gadget for real. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 5:18:13 PM
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Oh, geez, aluminum capoes! Now I'm gonna get Alzheimers. Oh, geez, aluminum capoes! Now I'm gonna get Alzheimers. Oh, geez, aluminum capoes! Now I'm gonna get Alzheimers.
Now there's a material that's environmentally friendle to smelt. Of course, one of the by products is Stannous Fluoride that gets put in toothpaste, but isn't chemically available for your teeth. The ADA and the govt had to do something with piles of the stuff left over from making planes in WW II.
Oh, geez, aluminum capoes! Now I'm gonna get Alzheimers.
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2008 : 12:44:39 PM
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I have a pair of Shubbs-one guitar size 12 string model & one banjo size. Plus a Ron Ewing dulcimer capo. But a pencil and a rubberband work just as well on a flat fingerboard guitar or banjo. Dulcimers are a breed all to themselves, unless a Steel gutar uses something similar. I don't know if steel players would use a capo.
My Shubbs are both unplated brass, because I liked the look. Once they plate the metal, the damage is done, if you buy it or it sits in a store. If you can convince the manufacturer not to plate, we may make a difference for the environment. But there aren't always easy choices. Wash the dishes and make dirty water, or use paper plates and make a landfill? Burn the paper plates and make smoke? I'll eat a peach for peace next summer when they get ripe.
Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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