Am I just hearing things?

Floof

Am I just hearing things, or do different capos make the guitar sound different?

The reason I think I might be imagining it is that I don't mean just on 'open' strings - I mean the overall sound of the guitar.

For reasons I don't really remember I have 2 decent capos - both G7th - one is the Performance 2, and one is the Nashville.

One of them makes a guitar sound fuller (or retains the fullness) and one seems to result in a bit less body to the sound.

All in my head, or a thing? 

richardhomer

Could be something to do with mass? Can’t say I’ve ever compared different ones but some makers believe low mass tuners make a difference - so I suppose it could apply to capos....

Personally I like the cheap Dunlops rather than G7ths - just because of balance.

capo4th

Usually depends where you put it on the neck in my experience.

Floof

In this case it was the same fret position (and tune) 

Floof

re weight, there is a notable difference in their weights - the Nashville is much lighter

ICBM

I think it definitely can, and the reason is the different mass.

Try clipping a capo onto the headstock of the guitar and you will usually hear a (admittedly fairly subtle) change in tone. It's going to have a similar, although probably lesser, effect if it's halfway up the neck. So using one of a different mass will also most likely have a different effect.

That isn't to say anyone listening will necessarily notice though.

AliGorie

yeah, all that stuff matters, thing is 'recordings' don't capture these subtle changes in the guitars sound.
I find it impossible to deciding which set of strings suite which tunes I play.
I changed the buttons on my Schaller machine heads from metal to Ebony on one of my guitars  - the sound of that guitar is waaaay darker and I find it impossible to play any of my 'happy' tunes on it now.
I just want to jam with my buddy's without all these distractions.
ho hum 

ICBM

AliGorie said:

I changed the buttons on my Schaller machine heads from metal to Ebony on one of my guitars  - the sound of that guitar is waaaay darker and I find it impossible to play any of my 'happy' tunes on it now.

Those Schaller keys weigh a ton, just ridiculously heavy. I've noticed a tone change when replacing them with wooden ones as well, even on an electric guitar. I think my Dove sounds better with the ugly big Grover D keys it came with than when I tried it with some wooden ones.

I also once had a '61 J-45 (which I shouldn't have sold, but that's another story!) which came to me with Schallers. I replaced them with the modern Gibson Kluson-style (but still cast, with front nut) ones - the guitar sounded *far* better. After I sold it, the next owner put some original three-on-a-strip Klusons back on it… and it didn't sound as good. There must have been something about the exact weight of the Gibson heads that made the neck resonate perfectly, I think.

rustneversleeps

I’ve the same capos and have to say you have a point.I just hope your not as old as me.