At least since 2019, G7th has offered their Heritage yoke-style capo. It's more expensive than the Shubb fine-tune, but it has "Adaptive Radius Technology" that supposedly lets the clamping pad adjust its radius to the fretboard. I don't have one, but folks on Acoustic Guitar Forum say it works very well. They also offer a pad specifically designed for 12-string guitars. No numbers on the tension knob, though; that's a clever feature of the Shubb. -Tom
I know...it seems like a lot. But it's the only good solution I've found for specific guitars with unique necks like my Harmony. And $75 is still less than a customized Thalia capo: ua-cam.com/video/euL_Yn6DPGE/v-deo.htmlsi=B9hhzrQ_tYoaC0ZT
interesting. With all the capos I've tried so far I found that they all tend to push more on the bass strings due to their thickness. Basically, with a capo, strings are detuned proportionally to their thickness. Is there a capo that does not do that?
Hey Marc. Thalia capos try to solve the problem you’re describing by including a bunch of unique pads (inserts) that match the exact radius of your fretboard. They work very well on guitars with relatively thin necks (back to front). The Shubb Fine Tune happens to have a radius matched to most Martin and Gibson acoustics...that’s why so many bluegrass players swear by it. It also happens to work perfectly on my Harmony. And being able to control the pressure makes it easy to dial in the “Goldilocks” setting that doesn’t put more pressure on any one string more than another.
I really don’t like the disruption of the flow in a live setting caused by capo fiddling, so I decide beforehand which songs need me to use one, and have one already fitted & waiting on my stage spare guitar. This is actually quicker than faffing about trying to retune / bed the strings in & retune again, but it can interfere with set list decisions, so my advice to anyone reading this is, despite knowing that your part sounds better with the capo at a particular fret - learn the song in standard, no capo as well ! That way when the “ artist” launches into the wrong song you won’t be left standing there , hands flapping,mouth gaping like a frog, .......I’ve forgiven him.....really I have.....in fact I might even get him one of those Shubbs , he spends far too much time resetting his capo......love your work as usual👍🎸🇬🇧
Great points, John. My duo Cosmic Spin’s set list is often influenced by the capo needs of the arrangements, and I tend to cluster songs with Capo 2, Capo 3, etc. Our situation is complicated by our use of 2 vocal harmonizers, which require whatever guitar I’m playing to be in accurate tune since all the harmonies generate from what I’m playing on guitar. Switching to a second guitar actually complicates things in my particular situation. But, hey, the new Shubb is doing the job! Now I only have to retune when the guitar itself drifts. Thanks, as always, for watching and commenting!
Thanks for telling us about this! I have never seen this type of capo before. It looks like it's worth the investment for serious players, especially those who perform before an audience.
The late Tony Rice and many bluegrass guitarists use a McKinney-Elliott style capo... designed to clamp directly on the fret. This eliminates the possibility of pulling the strings sharp. Mr. Rice can be seen using it here: ua-cam.com/video/ZH6dpxy8TLQ/v-deo.html
Thank you, CreamyBone! I'll check those out. Haven't tried, but I might even be able to use the fine-tune that way since it has the thumb-wheel adjustment.
Yes indeed, Jonny. I just scored a Martin HD-40MK Mark Knopfler signature dreadnought and this Fine Tune capo is the perfect match. I can capo at any fret and the guitar stays in excellent tune.
I recently bought one of the Shubb F1's from a smaller guitar store who also has an online store. The price was 85 and some change. It's on the way and I can't wait to see how good it works on my Martins. Cheers
@@RobertCassard I love my Shubb Fine Tune F1 but found out yesterday I couldn't place it above the 5th fret on my new Martin CEO-7. It works on my 000-28 but is too narrow on the 7. That said, it's superb up to and including the 5th fret on both guitars without any issues. [Edit] In fairness my G7th (2nd iteration) which I've had for 10+ years works well all the way up to and beyond the 7th fret on both guitars. Reason I bought the Shubb was my luthier mentioned it and, by ordering it from Shubb direct, I saved approximately $75 - yes 'SAVED'. We pay ridiculous prices in UK.
@@BrianWMay The Fine Tune is quite narrow so it has a limited range on tapered fretboards like your CEO-7. I just ordered a Paige capo in "wide" to deal with this issue on a couple of my guitars: amzn.to/3UNN5SI Sometimes I want to cap way up at the 8th or 9th.
Interesting how strong people’s opinions are about capo preferences. Since doing this video, someone turned me onto Greg Bennett’s Glider Capo. Yet another interesting design to try!
@@RobertCassard oooh and I forgot to mention that putting the capo very very close to the fret also solves the intonation issue , especially the Kyser which has a weaker spring than most. But I admit your Shubb is probably better.
And!!!! I find the different voicings you can experiment with a capo is super inspiring , especially with alternate timings, nearly like trying a new instrument...ok now the capo fan in me will shut up....
I think I need to stop watching your videos. It's becoming too expensive. I bought a h1n based in your review. I now just bought this capo. It's in its way. But seriously. You have a way with your videos. You seem trustworthy. Nice review.
LOL dee Tee. When I love something, I really LOVE it! At least you know this isn't some paid endorsement BS. And at least you're sticking to items under $100. Don't watch my videos about Martin parlor guitars, which are pushing $5k!! Seriously, thanks for watching and commenting. Means a lot.
I live in Canada, so our prices are a little bit more. Another youtube channel made me buy the waza air headphones... just got it today..... the struggle is real
@@RobertCassard just got my f1 capo on the weekend. The capo is pretty bang on. I just need to note the number that the f1 is set on when it is perfect. I did get it for 99 dollars Canadian. This was a great deal. Other stores were selling it for 175 Canadian. The only issue is in some of my guitars have thicker necks and it does not fit on some higher frets. Thank you for the recommendation. I don't perform in front of people and I don't have a time limit for returning, but it's nice to be able to have accurate tuning.
@@deetee5156 Happy you got your Fine Tune for a $99 Canadian "great deal" and that it's working well for you. Curious about which of your guitars has too thick a neck for it to fit. My Harmony Rocket has the thickest neck I own and, thankfully, the capo works all the way up and down its frets.
You are welcome, BachBeats! I love this capo...I use it for every live gig now. I've cut my need to re-tune after moving the capo by about half (maybe more). Cheers.
Slightly off the immediate subject, but have you ever covered the "Short-Cut" style capos and using more than one capo at a time? Would love to hear your insights on that topic.
The “short-cut” is a capo that covers strings 3, 4 and 5 to create an instant DADGAD sound, but up one whole step. EBEABE. I featured one on a visit to Hawaii last Christmas. Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/kDZQgQUz4fw/v-deo.html
Also...a propos of great acoustic guitarists who love their capos, JT just started his own UA-cam channel today. He kicked it off with a really charming intro video: ua-cam.com/video/BUWEb9TwH84/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard Ha!! Classic James! Hilarious! LOVED: "Always first to pick up on the latest thing, we have our own UA-cam Channel." (LOL). I'll look forward to following James on his "UA-cam Channel". Thanks for the tip! Now, the ball is still quite surely in my court. So, I gotta get back there and press that button!
Just watched his version of “With a Little Help from My Friends.” He knew the Beatles well in the Late 70s (first non-Beatle artist signed to Apple Records), and his version make it sounds like a long-lost JT song. Worth a listen for sure.
@@RobertCassard Certainly a totally different take on that song than Joe Cocker's famous version. :-) In the back of my mind when I watched your songwriting video 3 yesterday I was thinking...Yeah, but what about JT as a favorite songwriter? Hard choice, this favorite songwriter issue, isn't it. :-)
At least since 2019, G7th has offered their Heritage yoke-style capo. It's more expensive than the Shubb fine-tune, but it has "Adaptive Radius Technology" that supposedly lets the clamping pad adjust its radius to the fretboard. I don't have one, but folks on Acoustic Guitar Forum say it works very well. They also offer a pad specifically designed for 12-string guitars. No numbers on the tension knob, though; that's a clever feature of the Shubb. -Tom
Thanks for that expensive tip, Tom. Now I need to spend over $165 to check out “Adaptive Radius Technology”! LOL
75 dollars!!!!!
I know...it seems like a lot. But it's the only good solution I've found for specific guitars with unique necks like my Harmony. And $75 is still less than a customized Thalia capo: ua-cam.com/video/euL_Yn6DPGE/v-deo.htmlsi=B9hhzrQ_tYoaC0ZT
interesting. With all the capos I've tried so far I found that they all tend to push more on the bass strings due to their thickness. Basically, with a capo, strings are detuned proportionally to their thickness. Is there a capo that does not do that?
Hey Marc. Thalia capos try to solve the problem you’re describing by including a bunch of unique pads (inserts) that match the exact radius of your fretboard. They work very well on guitars with relatively thin necks (back to front). The Shubb Fine Tune happens to have a radius matched to most Martin and Gibson acoustics...that’s why so many bluegrass players swear by it. It also happens to work perfectly on my Harmony. And being able to control the pressure makes it easy to dial in the “Goldilocks” setting that doesn’t put more pressure on any one string more than another.
I really don’t like the disruption of the flow in a live setting caused by capo fiddling, so I decide beforehand which songs need me to use one, and have one already fitted & waiting on my stage spare guitar. This is actually quicker than faffing about trying to retune / bed the strings in & retune again, but it can interfere with set list decisions, so my advice to anyone reading this is, despite knowing that your part sounds better with the capo at a particular fret - learn the song in standard, no capo as well ! That way when the “ artist” launches into the wrong song you won’t be left standing there , hands flapping,mouth gaping like a frog, .......I’ve forgiven him.....really I have.....in fact I might even get him one of those Shubbs , he spends far too much time resetting his capo......love your work as usual👍🎸🇬🇧
Great points, John. My duo Cosmic Spin’s set list is often influenced by the capo needs of the arrangements, and I tend to cluster songs with Capo 2, Capo 3, etc. Our situation is complicated by our use of 2 vocal harmonizers, which require whatever guitar I’m playing to be in accurate tune since all the harmonies generate from what I’m playing on guitar. Switching to a second guitar actually complicates things in my particular situation. But, hey, the new Shubb is doing the job! Now I only have to retune when the guitar itself drifts. Thanks, as always, for watching and commenting!
Thanks for telling us about this! I have never seen this type of capo before. It looks like it's worth the investment for serious players, especially those who perform before an audience.
You’re welcome, Vesper. I agree that it’s a capo for serious live players!
The late Tony Rice and many bluegrass guitarists use a McKinney-Elliott style capo... designed to clamp directly on the fret. This eliminates the possibility of pulling the strings sharp. Mr. Rice can be seen using it here: ua-cam.com/video/ZH6dpxy8TLQ/v-deo.html
Thank you, CreamyBone! I'll check those out. Haven't tried, but I might even be able to use the fine-tune that way since it has the thumb-wheel adjustment.
Nice! Just what you need for Here Comes the Sun or Midnight Rambler!
Yes indeed, Jonny. I just scored a Martin HD-40MK Mark Knopfler signature dreadnought and this Fine Tune capo is the perfect match. I can capo at any fret and the guitar stays in excellent tune.
Actually, this design of capo was around in the late 1700s.
Apparently, we needed 300 years to devolve before getting it right again! LOL
I recently bought one of the Shubb F1's from a smaller guitar store who also has an online store. The price was 85 and some change. It's on the way and I can't wait to see how good it works on my Martins. Cheers
Sounds like a good price, Marty. Come back and tell me how you like it!
@Robert Cassard I absolutely love the F1, it's everything I hoped it would be. no tuning issues and great tone. cheers
@@martymcpeak4748 Excellent!!
@@RobertCassard I love my Shubb Fine Tune F1 but found out yesterday I couldn't place it above the 5th fret on my new Martin CEO-7. It works on my 000-28 but is too narrow on the 7.
That said, it's superb up to and including the 5th fret on both guitars without any issues.
[Edit] In fairness my G7th (2nd iteration) which I've had for 10+ years works well all the way up to and beyond the 7th fret on both guitars. Reason I bought the Shubb was my luthier mentioned it and, by ordering it from Shubb direct, I saved approximately $75 - yes 'SAVED'. We pay ridiculous prices in UK.
@@BrianWMay The Fine Tune is quite narrow so it has a limited range on tapered fretboards like your CEO-7. I just ordered a Paige capo in "wide" to deal with this issue on a couple of my guitars: amzn.to/3UNN5SI Sometimes I want to cap way up at the 8th or 9th.
I like Kyser capoes, better than Dunlop IMO
Interesting how strong people’s opinions are about capo preferences. Since doing this video, someone turned me onto Greg Bennett’s Glider Capo. Yet another interesting design to try!
@@RobertCassard oooh and I forgot to mention that putting the capo very very close to the fret also solves the intonation issue , especially the Kyser which has a weaker spring than most. But I admit your Shubb is probably better.
And!!!! I find the different voicings you can experiment with a capo is super inspiring , especially with alternate timings, nearly like trying a new instrument...ok now the capo fan in me will shut up....
I think I need to stop watching your videos. It's becoming too expensive. I bought a h1n based in your review. I now just bought this capo. It's in its way. But seriously. You have a way with your videos. You seem trustworthy. Nice review.
LOL dee Tee. When I love something, I really LOVE it! At least you know this isn't some paid endorsement BS. And at least you're sticking to items under $100. Don't watch my videos about Martin parlor guitars, which are pushing $5k!! Seriously, thanks for watching and commenting. Means a lot.
I live in Canada, so our prices are a little bit more. Another youtube channel made me buy the waza air headphones... just got it today..... the struggle is real
@@deetee5156 Always. And, yes, exchange rates can make it even more painful! Hold onto your wallet...
@@RobertCassard just got my f1 capo on the weekend. The capo is pretty bang on. I just need to note the number that the f1 is set on when it is perfect. I did get it for 99 dollars Canadian. This was a great deal. Other stores were selling it for 175 Canadian. The only issue is in some of my guitars have thicker necks and it does not fit on some higher frets.
Thank you for the recommendation. I don't perform in front of people and I don't have a time limit for returning, but it's nice to be able to have accurate tuning.
@@deetee5156 Happy you got your Fine Tune for a $99 Canadian "great deal" and that it's working well for you. Curious about which of your guitars has too thick a neck for it to fit. My Harmony Rocket has the thickest neck I own and, thankfully, the capo works all the way up and down its frets.
THANKS FOR THIS!!!!!
You are welcome, BachBeats! I love this capo...I use it for every live gig now. I've cut my need to re-tune after moving the capo by about half (maybe more). Cheers.
Slightly off the immediate subject, but have you ever covered the "Short-Cut" style capos and using more than one capo at a time? Would love to hear your insights on that topic.
The “short-cut” is a capo that covers strings 3, 4 and 5 to create an instant DADGAD sound, but up one whole step. EBEABE. I featured one on a visit to Hawaii last Christmas. Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/kDZQgQUz4fw/v-deo.html
Also...a propos of great acoustic guitarists who love their capos, JT just started his own UA-cam channel today. He kicked it off with a really charming intro video: ua-cam.com/video/BUWEb9TwH84/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard Ha!! Classic James! Hilarious! LOVED: "Always first to pick up on the latest thing, we have our own UA-cam Channel." (LOL). I'll look forward to following James on his "UA-cam Channel". Thanks for the tip! Now, the ball is still quite surely in my court. So, I gotta get back there and press that button!
Just watched his version of “With a Little Help from My Friends.” He knew the Beatles well in the Late 70s (first non-Beatle artist signed to Apple Records), and his version make it sounds like a long-lost JT song. Worth a listen for sure.
@@RobertCassard Certainly a totally different take on that song than Joe Cocker's famous version. :-) In the back of my mind when I watched your songwriting video 3 yesterday I was thinking...Yeah, but what about JT as a favorite songwriter? Hard choice, this favorite songwriter issue, isn't it. :-)