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In conjunction with another post that I just made, I'd like a recommendation for a good capo for a flamenco guitar. I had one years ago, but I can't find it now. I'm not even sure that it would be adequate even if I could find it.
But it's been so long since I have considered using one, that I don't even know what to look for in one. Should it be plastic, metal, elastic, etc.?
Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
i would recommend a cejilla from stringsbymail. capos work fine but a nice super functional cejilla made out of rosewood would be, in my opinon, a better way to go.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
ok i will give you some tips:
dunlop capo - are you a mainstream guy? do you look out for the cheapest thing? capos dont mean anything for you they just have to work? then this is your option.
cejilla - are you an old-school lover? do you love wood and its look? do you like cheesy/kitchy things ( )? do you want to spend unnecessarily more money? then this is your illustrious option.
planet waves capo - do you want something value/performance efficient? do you want something durable/reliable? do you want an intelligently constructed device with a precision screw? do you want something special without becoming too kitchy? then this is your best option.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
Planet waves is the best I´ve tried. It doesnt twist the strings, meaning the strings stay better in tune when changing capo position. Thats pretty important when playing with various singers, where you might have to change capo position every couple of minuts, Dunlops twist the strings a bit more but are acceptable.They are very rough on French polish though. Old school cejillas are sexy, but they twist the strings a lot more.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
i totally agree that a dunlop is all you need, but I find they tend to put the strings out of tune when you put them on..... I always have to check the tuning
i find with the cejillas if i put a bit of pressure on it before tightening it up, it reduces the amount of string movement when tightening or moving it
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
The purpose of a capo is holding the strings down while not blocking your fingers like all the traditional capos do. So why spending much money on a fancy expensive capo.
I recommend this one:
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RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
i have been using a traditional capo for over a year now, but i like the ones that have the offset screw (its on one side instead of in the middle) (and i even have little hands)..... it doesnt get in the way much....... not enough to warrant me strapping a piece of metal to my guitar anyway......
Doit... I have that jim dunlop and also the model with the metal clip to make the strap longer and fit better.... the model you posted barely fits on the 6th fret of my guitar... if you must use jim dunlop I really prefer the other model
this is the good model... I hate the ones Doit posted... i wouldnt even throw it in a nice bin
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RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
Orson Yeah, thats the one I mean.
Doit, If you dont have to change capo position often, then the dunlop is good, but as Marduk says, it tends to make the guitar go out of tune. If you´ve ever played in a group lesson for singers, where you have to change capo position every 2 minuts or so, then you find out. Besides, the dunlop is tough on the neck.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to machopicasso)
quote:
Curiously, how is the Dunlop "tough on the neck"? Do you mean it damages the neck?
its tough on the neck for teh reason i pointed out.... the ones without the metal clip barely fit on a flamenco guitar.... they are rather tight. you cant adjust a dunlop very well, it has to go into one of the grooves..... (no tightening half way between grooves)
i find they fit perfect on cheap guitars or steel strings......
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
The Dunlop with the strap adjuster clip will fit perfectly if properly adjusted. The Planet Waves capo is good but in my experience needs to be sited an optimum distance from the fret to preserve a good tone.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to Derek Woulds)
quote:
strap adjuster clip
thats the name of the thing i was trying to describe... the silver thing in the pic i posted. I actually have one of those in my case as a backup... it fits nicely
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to machopicasso)
quote:
Curiously, how is the Dunlop "tough on the neck"? Do you mean it damages the neck?
It easily damages the finish of the neck. Its especially rough on French Polish. I have nothing against Dunlops and I have one and use it on my beater guitar. So once every 3 years or so that guitar gets a few touches of French Polish on the neck.
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
quote:
So once every 3 years or so that guitar gets a few touches of French Polish on the neck.
Hi Anders,
I once tried a guitar (Burguet) that had been played for years and years by a professional so that the French Polish had completely worn off the neck. The grain still looked completely sealed and it felt incredibly smooth and comfortable to play LH-wise with no sticky friction on sweaty hands. I really liked that feel.
Would that guitar be prone to damage from humidity effects etc?
Or is the FP just for looks?
(The inside of the guitar is bare wood after all... )
RE: Please recommend a capo for me (in reply to LBrandt)
I have dunlop, planet waves and a coupple of traditional wood cejillas. Perhaps it is just my feeling but to me the traditional cejillas are the best on a flamenco guitar and I use them on my french polish babies :-).
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)? do you want to spend unnecessarily more money? then this is your illustrious option. 
) 
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