Capo Question - Elliott or Other

[cap217]

I am looking to upgrade my capos. I used diadarrio now and am happy with them but always looking to buy something. It seems Elliott are the ones everyone wants.

Question on width and radius needed.

I have some collings that are compound 14-26" radius. I assume a 16 would be best here? 16 would also cover my martins. What about Gibson J45? I would need a 12" or just stick w my diadarrios.

Then width. I have a mix of 11/16 and 3/4. Do I really need to buy both widths?



And should I consider anything else? Like the new diadarrio that is like the elliots or a paige?

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by cap217

I am looking to upgrade my capos. I used diadarrio now and am happy with them but always looking to buy something. It seems Elliot are the ones everyone wants.

Question on width and radius needed.

I have some collings that are compound 14-26" radius. I assume a 16 would be best here? 16 would also cover my martins. What about Gibson J45? I would need a 12" or just stick w my diadarrios.

Then width. I have a mix of 11/16 and 3/4. Do I really need to buy both widths?



And should I consider anything else? Like the new diadarrio that is like the elliots or a paige?

I too was considering an Elliot BUT specifically because of radius differences I ended up getting a G7th Performance 3 which adapts to different radii ?

[JTFoote]

I've preferred yoke-style capos in the past, especially Elliotts, but these days, I really only use one capo for all my guitars, which vary in widths and neck profiles: a Colorado capo. The price is easier on the wallet than some of the others, and it's the best I've found for minimal re-tuning, and being able to get it out of the way of my hand, as the dual pads makes it unnecessary to place the capo directly behind the fret. That makes it much more comfortable for chording without bumping into the screw and/or bar.

... JT

[zmf]

Originally Posted by cap217

And should I consider anything else? Like the new diadarrio that is like the elliots or a paige?

I've been using the basic Paige yoke for a number of years and it works fine on guitars with different nut widths and neck radii. It's cheaper than the Elliots and I haven't noticed a downside.

[scotly50]

Barry Sheridan Collins Capos

[Zissou Intern]

When I had my Collings, I ordered a 17" radius at Melisa Elliot's recommendation. It worked great, as did the 16" radius Elliot I have for my Martin.

I'd like to try a G7th Heritage next.

[jrb715]

I have an Elliott Elite (as well as a Kat Eyz, a D'Addario Pro Plus and a couple of G7s). 95% of the time I use a Shubb Deluxe (capo noir). As easy to use as the excellent Pro Plus and, for my tastes, the best sounding of my capos. (And I do think they sound noticeably different.)

[cap217]

Originally Posted by jrb715

I have an Elliott Elite (as well as a Kat Eyz, a D'Addario Pro Plus and a couple of G7s). 95% of the time I use a Shubb Deluxe (capo noir). As easy to use as the excellent Pro Plus and, for my tastes, the best sounding of my capos. (And I do think they sound noticeably different.)

I just remembered that I have a shubb deluxe as well. Works fine. Not sure I need to upgrade.

[Dave in Olympia]

Can someone please explain what makes a capo worth $100+? I have several Shubb capos and cannot imagine what would make me spend more than that. They work perfectly.

[Rad]

I had an Elliot, I sold it. I thought it was way over priced for what it did. My Kat Eyz (photos) works just as well for a fraction the cost….I also like my Shrubs.

[Mike McLenison]

I've had so many different brands over the last 50 yrs. I currently use the Shubb stainless 12 string ones on my 6 string. I capo up on the 7th fret so the extra length accommodates neck width. I found that my Martin HD-35 sounds best with the stainless steel Shubb.

[Brushwood]

When I discovered the D’Addario Pro Plus Capo I quit looking. Btw, it’s not the same as the D’Addario NS Capo Pro. The Pro Plus runs about $30.

[raysachs]

I also really like the Kat Eyz. I have three of them and they live above the nut on each of my acoustics. Two 16” for my Martins and one 14” for my McPherson. I almost never take them off of my CEO-7 or McPherson Sable. I remove the one for my 000-28EC mostly when I’m playing with no capo because it can get in the way of some chords due to the volute. The brass ones are a bargain at $60. I have a steampunk for my McPherson so I’d have a way to tell it apart (because of the different radius). It was pricier at $85. Still, not in the same price neighborhood as the Elliots or the G7th Heritage, which are generally north of $150.

Highly recommended.

-Ray

[TBman]

I use a G7 now and a Shubb. Good quality. I also have a Thalia, which weighs a ton, but is also good quality.

Paige makes decent capos and even the good old Planet Wave NS does a decent job in a pinch.

For my classicals I have a Taylor 12 string capo.

[canehorn]

For compound radius fretboards, I’m only aware of a few options that account for it directly. Descending in costs from the G7th Heritage (Elliott $+) to the G7th Performance 3 to the D’Addario Pro Plus.

Other capos work fine but if they don’t adapt to the radius, there will be positions with more pressure on some strings than others so when it pulls things out of tune (like all do to some degree imho) it’s more uneven and noticeable. If you only capo across a limited range of fretboard, you can match a fixed radius one to that area and be all set. I capo from 1st to 8th so the adaptable type was a welcome option I jumped on with positive results.

I have both the fancy Heritage (if spending that much, it was a minor % to add engraving so mine has the full styling with a cool-to-me quote on it) and the Pro Plus. Both seem to keep my tuning even and I use them both. The Heritage was a ridiculous amount to spend but it sure looks great, functions flawlessly (it better for that much!) and solved a problem for me so I love it. That said, if the Pro Plus was available when I bought my Heritage, I may not have sprung for it even though I prefer yoke style.

I should mention I also use a strobe tuner that’s made me sensitive to tuning issues. These made a noticeable to me improvement on my compound radius guitars (less tuning.) YMMV, good luck.