I have started using a Capo occasionally and on my Epi LP, with the Capo on the second fret, that the low E string and the A string are playing a tad sharp. Enough to make chords sound off. This does not happen on every guitar but varies from acceptable to sharp as on the Epi.
On the Epi I need to retune when using the Capo, after which the chords sound fine. Is this normal or can anything be done to fix the problem? I have toyed with the idea of getting an Earvana nut fitted in place of the stock nut. This will have to wait until after the lockdown..
The Capo I use is a G7, a slightly smaller model that I bought after my original G7 capo fell apart and got added to the recycling bin.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. [Albert Einstein]
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Comments
A little string pull is normal but you can minimise it by making sure you place the capo almost touching the back edge of the fret (ie not halfway between the 2 frets) and by installing it with just enough pressure to stop the strings buzzing, and no more.
The capo should be right up against the fret, with the front edge of the capo's rubber pad along the back edge of the fret crown. If it's further away from the fret than that it will pull the strings down into the space between the frets and they'll go sharp, most noticeably on the thicker ones.
If it varies from guitar to guitar it may be due to the fingerboard radius - if the capo is exactly the same radius as the board, you'll need to tighten it the least until all six strings are firmly on the fret, but if it's different then some strings will need to be pulled down harder before the remaining ones are tight.
The problem seems to be worse with capos that don't use a spring, like the Shubb and the original G7 - they need to use the strings as the 'spring' to hold them in place. I can almost always put my Kysers on without any tuning issues - at first it was tricky to get the position exactly right, but practice makes perfect.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Cant immediately find it but basically
- put the capo on by pressing it down onto the strings and holding it there under pressure as you bring whatever clamp up from below
then (the key move) once it is on, he presses down all 6 strings with his palm to “stretch” them. He says he has been doing this for years and he never has to retune
The capo has to be the correct radius and to be practically on top of the fret just behind the peak where the strings exit.
I just use cheapo clamp-on capos from eBay, but I have one I've bent in the vice to suit the 7.25" radius of my Strats.
So it might not be necessary if people have a technique to put it on but retuning is at least common if not normal.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
But the thing about only using enough pressure to stop the strings buzzing - don't think that's possible with mine, it's one of the ones like a hair clip so I don't know how I'd control the pressure it was putting on, it's just a spring.
Once you get the hang of exactly where to place them though it's fine for every position and all string gauges.
That could be because my acoustic is shit and so is my hand position technique, but it works for me.
Could it work on yours the other way around?
https://founterior.com/what-is-a-ha-ha-wall-and-how-to-use-it-as-a-garden-fence/
Although, I do hear a lot of haha haha when I play guitar, so that could be it
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein