Capos on 12-strings

DaveWilsonUK · #1 04-30-2006, 04:24 AM

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice on using a capo wth my 355 12-string. I've used a capo a few times before with it, but didn't realise I had a problem until last night.

While messing around at home I decided to play Damien Rice's Cannonball on my 12-string for a change - just to see how it sounded. So I put the capo on the 7th fret (incidentally, it's a Jim Dunlop - nothing fancy but seemed to do the job until now).

The first note of the song is an open note on the bottom E string. And it "clunked"

(no other word can describe the sound so well). The thicker string of the pair was held down OK, but the thinner string wasn't properly fretted by the capo which was prevented from pressing the thinner string by the thicker string. All of the other strings were ok.
I re-seated the capo and tried again with no improvement. I spent a few minutes experimenting but could not get a good contact between the string and the fret - though the other string pairs were OK.

Do I need a better capo, or is this a common problem?
I'd be grateful for any advice you 12-string guys can give.

Thanks in advance!
Dave

songsender · #2 04-30-2006, 01:02 PM

Shubb (along with other manufacturers) makes a special capo for 12-string guitars. I've used one for years and really appreciate the fact that I can change the capo's tension depending on the neck position. An over zealous capo can actually bend your strings out of tune. It is a fine balance and Shubb gives me this flexibility.

Check them out: http://www.shubb.com/capos/index.htm

Paul

cpmusic · #3 04-30-2006, 01:47 PM

Check out the Paige 12-string capo at http://www.paigemusical.com/products.html (third from the top). No other capo I've tried works as well on a 12.

DaveWilsonUK · #4 04-30-2006, 02:12 PM

Thanks guys - I'll check them both out.

Folkstrum · #5 04-30-2006, 02:42 PM

Frankly, I like my Kyser for a 12. Works great-no problems as far as I'm concerned.

Folkman · #6 04-30-2006, 09:23 PM

I use a Shubb for my 555. Works very well for me. I also like the idea of adjusting the tension. I have a Kyser 12 string capo as well but prefer the shubb.

Devin · #7 04-30-2006, 09:44 PM

Another vote for Shubb... I only use Shubb capos. I use one on my 355CE, and it works flawlessly...

- Devin

steverok · #8 04-30-2006, 09:50 PM

Another vote for the Kyser 12-string capo.

kottkenut · #9 04-30-2006, 11:21 PM

Another for the Shubb 12...I use it.

DaveWilsonUK · #10 06-16-2006, 02:51 PM

Thanks for your help everyone.
I got a Shubb 12-string capo which does the job very nicely - without "clunks".
I was so impressed that I went ahead and bought a 6-string capo too.

Thanks!

PeaVine · #11 06-16-2006, 04:27 PM

I use the Shubb 12 string capo for my 12 and my 6's

Fstpicker · #12 06-16-2006, 05:51 PM

Do you place the capo close behind the fret? Sometimes that can help.

The best all-around sounding capo IMO after trying every capo out there (except for the $100 ones), is the Planet Waves NS capo. It works perfectly on 6 and on 12 string guitars. Very versatile and doesn't put the guitar out of tune. And very well built out of Ultra-light aerospace grade aluminum.

Jeff

DJanzen · #13 06-16-2006, 05:57 PM

I've always used the 'standard Kyser' which works reasonably well... but I am liking the capos with the adjustable tension (use and like an adjustable Dunlop with my T5) more and more... might pick up a couple for the 12 as well.

DJanzen

wthurman · #14 06-16-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fstpicker

Do you place the capo close behind the fret? Sometimes that can help.

The best all-around sounding capo IMO after trying every capo out there (except for the $100 ones), is the Planet Waves NS capo. It works perfectly on 6 and on 12 string guitars. Very versatile and doesn't put the guitar out of tune. And very well built out of Ultra-light aerospace grade aluminum.

Jeff

I use the Dunlop Victor also which is very similar in design, and works well. I find it faster to use than the Shubb, which is a tie for me overall.

Fstpicker · #15 06-17-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Thurman

I use the Dunlop Victor also which is very similar in design, and works well. I find it faster to use than the Shubb, which is a tie for me overall.

The Dunlop Victor is my second best overall favorite capo! However, it doesn't work well on 12-string guitars unfortunately, at least not on the several that I've tried it on.

Jeff