How do you capo?

[Slothead56]

Are you a “capo over the top” of the fretboard or “capo under the bottom” of the fretboard person?

For years, regardless of the brand, I’ve been an “over” guy. Don’t know why. Goes back 45 years.

Would like to hear opinions on why you do it the way you do it.

[Methos1979]

Same here - over the top. Always freaks me out when I see it done from under. Not sure why.

This is like the whole 'which way does the toilet paper roll get put on...' Sure, you can have it so the capo/paper is on the bottom BUT IT'S JUST SO WRONG!

I guess for me because I use the Planet Waves NS Capo, the knob is on the top so putting it on from the bottom would be a chore - not to mention it would make a one-hand operation a two-hand operation. Or I'd be picking it up off the floor often!!

Most of the ones I see from the bottom are the squeeze-on ones like G7's or Thalia's.

[PorkPieGuy]

What kind of psychopathic monster capo's from the bottom?

[pieterh]

From above always. I don’t get on with Keyser-type clamping capos but I can’t imagine ever even trying to use one of those from below...

[JC.]

Bottom probably makes it easier to grab the capo for the Tommy Emmanuel mid song key change. (Not that I would attempt it myself).

[Slothead56]

Originally Posted by PorkPieGuy

What kind of psychopathic monster capo's from the bottom?

The same ones who put the TP on the wrong way!!

[MikeBmusic]

Always from the top, unless I am doing a 2-capo set-up or 5 string capo, of course.

[PorkPieGuy]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

The same ones who put the TP on the wrong way!!

Wait, are we married? Honey, is that you?

[Ncbandit]

Luckily mine is only designed to go over the top so there is no temptation.

[raysachs]

My Shubb I use over the top. My G7th Heritage is a Yoke type, so I'm not sure which would be which. I tend to open the clamp and put it on from the bottom so I can close the clamp at the top, where I can reach and see it more easily. But it's a two handed operation anyway and the pressure should be dead even regardless of which way I put it on. So I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter and I don't think anyone would notice even if they were looking for it.

[JayBee1404]

Over the top, always - including my 5- and 3-string ‘cut’ capos.

I use Shubb and G7th Newport capos. My reasoning for putting them on ‘over’ is twofold...

Firstly, put on ‘over’ there’s no interference with the hand so I can get the capo very close to the fret whereas, applied ‘under’, the frame fouls my hand so I have to place it sufficiently far from the fret that my fretting-hand clears it.

And secondly that, if they by some very unlikely accident ‘unlatch’ themselves, they will remain on the neck, rather than fall to the floor. And yes, I’ve had a Shubb ‘unlatch’ itself - I just latched it again, no having to bend down to try to retrieve it from the floor on a dark stage!

And when I see one that’s been put on ‘upside-down’, it just looks completely ‘wrong’.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Over the top, always - including my 5- and 3-string ‘cut’ capos.

I use Shubb and G7th Newport capos. My reasoning for putting them on ‘over’ is twofold...

Firstly, put on ‘over’ there’s no interference with the hand so I can get the capo very close to the fret whereas, applied ‘under’, the frame fouls my hand so I have to place it sufficiently far from the fret that my fretting-hand clears it.

And secondly that, if they by some very unlikely accident ‘unlatch’ themselves, they will remain on the neck, rather than fall to the floor. And yes, I’ve had a Shubb ‘unlatch’ itself - I just latched it again, no having to bend down to try to retrieve it from the floor on a dark stage!

And when I see one that’s been put on ‘upside-down’, it just looks completely ‘wrong’.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

Ditto all points.

Remember, gravity can be your friend or it can be your foe.

[KevWind]

Used to be from the bottom now from the top, change is part of life

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

Would like to hear opinions on why you do it the way you do it.

Over the top because underneath interferes with my left hand. But people should do what works for them.

[Mr Picky]

Yes, over the top. More room for the side of your hand at the bottom. Normally angle the treble end of the capo back towards the nut slightly too for an extra couple mm of room...