Capos

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I use a Shubb capo, its just what they had in stock at the time. I don't over clamp, just what is needed.

Its been a theme for me lately to hear about the finishes of guitars being affected
my what gadgets we use in conjunction with them.

Is it just me, but when I started playing in the late 70's no such thing was talked about.
Now it is an issue to be watched out for.
 
I use a capo a lot when performing solo with acoustic. Acoustics just sound better with open chords and the capo allows me to change keys to suit my voice. After trying many I've settled on a Khyser. It doesn't matter what capo I use the guitar always needs to be tuned when applying it then again when taking it off. It drives me crazy playing a guitar that is slightly out of tune. For performing live this is why I always have a tuner pedal. Nothing bugs me more than listening to someone tuning their guitar in the middle of a live performance. With a tuner pedal you can tell a story or whatever while tuning and the audience doesn't hear the guitar.
 
I rarely use a capo, but when I do I use one that allows me to set the tension with a thumbwheel. I don’t use the Kung-fu grip spring capos.

Planet Waves / D’Addario makes a very nice, low-profile, lightweight capo with screw-type adjustment. This is the one I have:

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A hundred years ago I used the capo so I could play tune in easier to play key. On worship team I would primarily use it for the same reason. But as I became a better player, I found myself using it so I’d be playing in a different part of the fret board. Sometimes that meant the other acoustic was playing no capo..... so I’d use mine. Other times he would use one so I wouldn’t,..... or, I’d use it on a different fret than he was. Yes. We’re playing the exact same chords, but it does sound different.
 
This is the one I use. Shubb, 4.9-5.0 stars on 44 reviews.

Shubb GC-30 Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Capo - Stainless Steel
 
Personally, I’m not a fan of the Shubb.

They are very well made, but I don’t like the bulkiness of the mechanism on the back side of the neck.
 
The only thing I have used a capo for is down tuning.
I would do that on my Yamaha 12 string I bought in 1973. Tune down. Capo 1st or 2nd.... don’t remember which..... and play normal chords. An E was still an E. Kinda like turning it into a zero fret. Action was pretty high on the guitar and no real way to change it. Using the capo made it easier to play. Since at that time I pretty much was just playing open chords, I didn’t need the whole neck.
 
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