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Capo Knocking Guitar Out of Tune

  • 21-10-2005 1:07pm
    #1
    HelterSkelter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,585 ✭✭✭


    Anytime I stick a capo on it knocks some of the strings out of tune. Is this normal? Was playing a gig last night, first song with capo, second without, third with and had to retune in between each song. Very annoying. Is there some knack of putting the capo on that I don't know about or does this happen to everyone?


Comments

  • #2
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    Make sure you don't slide the capo along the strings when you put it on, it can pull the strings sharp. When you put it on, give all the strings a little tug near the end of the neck/neck pickup area to release any tension behind the capo. If you put it on straight and it still goes sharp maybe the spring on the capo is too tight and a different capo is in order.


  • #3
    Maccattack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭Maccattack


    I had that problem too. I used to use one of the strap on type.

    I changed to the clamp style (cost about €25.00). been fine since. much easier to use as well.


  • #4
    HelterSkelter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,585 ✭✭✭HelterSkelter


    Thanks for the replies lads.

    It is a clamp type capo and it is fairly tight. Maybe that is the problem.


  • #5
    Shanannigan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭Shanannigan


    Don't tune with the capo on... somebody said.. though i do.. but i heard its not good for the strings..


  • #6
    Shanannigan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭Shanannigan


    is it a schubb? get a schubb i swear by them... but also you can't go wrong with the bottom of the range Jim Dunlop Wrap... always does the job, and quite as well as any other capo i might add


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  • #7
    Kenny_D
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,204 ✭✭✭Kenny_D


    How old are your strings. I found on one of my guitars (after not having changed the strings in a while) that it was going out of tune with the capo on the higher frets. It doesnt do it with a fresh set of strings. And my capo is the spring type (Dunlop). If they are older strings, try changing the strings and just see if that makes a difference. Could be something simple like that so you dont have to go and buy a new capo


  • #8
    Eoin Madsen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,117 ✭✭✭Eoin Madsen


    The detuning usually happens because of the fret height / tension of the capo - when you hold a string to a fret you don't generally press it all the way down to the fingerboard. Comfortably on the fret, the pitch is correct. When you push further down behind the fret you actually stretch the string slightly, sharpening the pitch.

    Try lowering the tension on the capo (if you can't alter tension with your capo... it's time to get a Shubb ;)) when you put it on. See if you can get it to keep all the strings depressed without bending pitch on any of them... without any of them being too loose. If not, you'll just have to tune after you put it on.


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