The Different Types of Guitar Capos and Their Use

Musicians choose to employ the use of a guitar capo (a device designed to raise the guitar’s pitch), for a variety of reasons. It can allow you to transpose a piece without having to learn new fingerings, it can make difficult fingerings easier to perform, or it can be used to create different chord voicings that are musically preferred. Whatever your reason for using a guitar capo, it is important to understand how they work and how different types can affect different aspects of your playing.

How a Guitar Capo Works

A guitar capo is designed to fit on the neck of the guitar just behind the desired fret. It shortens the length of the strings, essentially creating a new nut. This provides a higher note than your instrument’s actual nut. Only the open nut of each string is affected when using a guitar capo. Because of this, you will not have to relearn the entire fretboard like you would when retuning your guitar. To ensure that the guitar remains fretted, the guitar capo should be secured as tight as possible, and in the sharpest angle possible.

Why Choosing the Right Guitar Capo is Important

Although all guitar capos perform the same function, each type has different mechanical factors that can affect your overall playing experience. Some guitar capos are easier to use than others. Some may interfere with playing room, making it difficult to hold down the strings. Some may even affect the tuning of your guitar.

Strap-on Guitar Capo

A strap-on capo consists of a rubber-covered bar and a strap. The bar is placed over the strings and the strap is wrapped around the back of the neck and attached to either end of the bar. The strap helps to hold the bar tight against the neck of the guitar, ensuring that the bar stays in place, keeping the strings fretted. In most strap-on guitar capos, the strap is made of elastic or fabric. It can be adjusted to set the tightness.
There are also more modern versions of the strap-on guitar capo. With these versions, the strap is made of a semi-flexible plastic, which is connected to the bar on one side. A ratchet system on the other side is used to adjust the tightness of the bar.

Conventional strap-on guitar capos are one of the earliest versions used. They are a low-cost option and they ensure that even pressure is placed across all of the strings. The disadvantage to this type of guitar capo is the fact that the strap, since it is designed to stretch, will wear down with time.

Trigger-Style Guitar Capos

Trigger-style guitar capos are one of the more modern types of guitar capos. They are also one of the most commonly used guitar capo types. They are composed of two bars: one covered with rubber that sits over the strings, and another that presses against the back of the guitar. Generally, with a trigger-style guitar capo, the second bar is shaped to match the shape of the back of the guitar’s neck.
 
A pivot attaches the two bars and a spring is used to press the bars together. A grip found on each bar allows the user to quickly change the tension of the guitar capo or to release it completely. For this reason, these types of guitar capos are commonly referred to as “quick-release capos.”

The biggest disadvantage of using a trigger-style capo is the fact that the spring cannot be adjusted. This means that the spring will always apply the maximum pressure. If not applied correctly, this type of guitar capo is most likely to make a difference in the tuning of the guitar.

Shubb Guitar Capo

Shubb guitar capos are also rather popular and are widely recognized. They are used by holding the capo in the desired location and then closing a lever to secure it. What makes this capo unique is the fact that a second arm presses against the back of the neck. Pressure of the guitar capo can be adjusted, allowing the musician to apply minimal pressure to the strings. The disadvantage, however, is that this guitar capo must be applied and moved with two hands. It can, however, be moved to a different position quickly and easily.

Other Guitar Capo Variations

Not all guitar capo variations are widely used. However, additional variations can be found. Screw-on capos closely resemble a C-clamp, and the tightness is adjusted by a screw. Roller capos contain rollers on both the neck side of the guitar capo as well as the string side. The rollers allow for quick key changes in the middle of sets or tunes, which are particularly helpful when playing Irish tunes. Another type of guitar capo, called a partial capo, can be used to fret only some of the strings of the guitar.

The type of music you play, the reason you are using a guitar capo, and your personal preference can all be used to help you determine which guitar capo is right for you. Cost and quality should also be considered when making your decision. Whichever guitar capo you choose, be sure that it enhances the sound of your music and makes playing more enjoyable—not a hassle.