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Ricardo -> RE: Capo'ing question (Feb. 6 2007 5:32:22)
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quote:
Out of curiosity, why would there be? A capo is just holding down a fret across all the strings.
The guitar is mathematically designed to be equal tempered. But no guitar is truely perfect, that is the problem with equal tempered tuning anyway. But guitars with low action, will have better intonation, because pushing down the string affects the distance between the fret and the Bridge. Pushing the string too hard on a high action guitar, especially higher frets, you will notice the effect as the pitch changes. Low action guitars require less finger pressure, and therefore are actually harder to "push" in or out of tune. Side to side "classical" vibrato is much nicer to control on higher action guitars. Unless you have high frets or scalloped neck on your low action guitar.
Anyway, the capo is not a perfect machine that applies perfectly even pressure across all 6 strings. Also depends how close to the fret wire you tighten the capo. I like to put the capo very close to the fret wire, so what that does is bend the wimpy strings a lot (the trebles) expecially G and B strings sharp. I tug on those first off, to get them close to the pitch they should be. If I tug too hard, and they are flat, you can gently push behind the nut. It is a balancing act. Some folks put the capo way back toward the head stock. In fact put the capo on, then pull the thing back toward the head stock to notice what happens to the pitch of the strings. Experiment. Don't just slap it on and say "what is wrong with this stupid guitar!"
Anyway, my point is it really depends on the action of the guitar mainly. So since the capo and fingers are not perfect transposers, I suggest these rules when tuning any guitar.
1. Never tune with your fingers on the neck. That means don't tune to fretted chords. Tune to what ever note you are supposed to tune to, the OPEN strings only. Your finger pressure will have to learn how to play in tune, not pushing or pulling too hard, but just right. You don't have any such control when playing open strings, so they need to be RIGHT ON.
2. When using the capo, tune AFTER the thing is put on. Don't even waste time tunning open first. Put the capo on, then tune the OPEN strings (meaning, open to what ever fret the capo is on) to your tuning source. Whether that is the keyboard, bass, flute, your ear, whatever.
Oh, these are just my opinions by the way. [8|][:D]
Ricardo
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