Types of Partial Capos


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This is the current selection of partial capo devices you can buy from us. None of these devices is superior in all ways to the others, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. If you are serious about exploring the partial capo or performing music that uses them, you may want to own a number of them. And of course you can use 2 at once, and you may want to keep a few in each guitar case if you own several instruments.

The most universal and the least expensive partial capo. Does all 63 possible configurations on all guitars. Same model fits electric, acoustic, 12-string, classical. A must-have for exploring partial capo-ing. Worth buying just for the instruction sheet, which is currently the best single source of info on how to use a partial capo.

Harder to operate and reach around than single-purpose capos. Most "low-tech" looking.

Read a careful comparison of the Third Hand and the SpiderCapo

SpiderCapo

(Universal)

Fits most guitars. Only capo that lets you flip the levers up and down while it's on the guitar! No elastic to wear out. Makes a different statement with its "space-age" look. (Plastic looks like gun metal.)

Can't handle12-strings Fussier to put on- you can bump the levers out of position either while playing, or when you set it down. More expensive. Read a careful comparison of the Third Hand and the SpiderCapo

Shubb model c7b Esus

0 2 2 2 0 0

0 0 2 2 2 0

Very low-profile, easy to reach over & behind, very durable. Can form Esus chord or A chord at 2nd fret, or do other things at higher frets. Fits in your pocket.

Requires 2 hands to put on or move. Rubber eventually wears out.

Kyser "Shortcut" Esus

0 2 2 2 0 0

0 0 2 2 2 0

Goes on or off with one hand, even in mid-song. Nice hard rubber foot has good tone. Can also use at frets 4, 5 7. Stores on headstock.

Harder to reach over than the Shubb, spring mechanism weakens with age, may not hold heavy strings or 12-string. Kind of awkward to keep in your pocket.

Shubb model c8b Drop E

0 5 5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5 5 0

usually also clamps

0 0 4 4 4 4

4 4 4 4 0 0

Very strong, durable, low-profile, can be easily shortened or notched for custom capos. Can double as a banjo or mandolin capo.

Requires 2 hands to put on or move. On most guitars, you can capo 5 strings with just a normal capo slid over, so this is a luxury & not a necessity. Rubber eventually wears out.

Kyser "Drop D" Capo

Actually "Drop E"

0 5 5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5 5 0

Fast operation, can store on headstock or strap. Hard rubber has good tone- does not deaden strings.

Weaker clamp mechanism, hard to reach over, difficult to shorten or modify.On most guitars, you can capo 5 strings with just a normal capo slid over.

Kyser "K-Lever" Open A Capo

0 0 2 2 2 0

0 2 2 2 0 0

Very fast operation, can store on headstock or strap. Lever clamps 2 strings under capo. Can also use at frets 4, 5 7.

Expensive. Can get in your way. Tricky to operate lever. Calls attention to itself.

Very fast operation, can store on headstock or strap. Lever clamps 1 string under capo. Can also use at frets 4, 5 7.

Expensive. Can get in your way. Tricky to operate lever.

Fast operation, can store on headstock or strap, nice tone. Lever clamps 1 string under capo. Can also use at frets 4, 5 7.

Expensive. Can get in your way. Tricky to operate lever.

Fast operation. Good tone. Lever clamps 1 string under capo. Can also possibly use at frets 4, 5 7.

Expensive. Can get in your way. Tricky to operate lever. This configuration is not as widely used as others.

Woodie's "G-Band"

Model 1

(single outer string )

Very low-profile, easy to reach around. Capos either E string at any fret. Can sometimes use to capo 5th stringof a banjo.

Sometimes wiggles off, does not fit wide necks, has trouble higher up on neck

Woodie's "G-Band"

Model 2

(2 outer strings)

Very low-profile, easy to reach around. Can capo 2 outer strings on either side of fingerboard.

Sometimes slides off, may not fit wide necks, has trouble higher up on neck

"Harmonic" Capo

(Universal)

Place above 5,7 or 12th fret to graze strings and sound harmonics. Amazing sounds.

Hard to keep in place- if you bump it or even set it down the pushbuttons can move. May not fit different shape neck heels.

"Transpo" Capo

0 2 2 2 0 0

1 3 3 3 1 1

2 4 4 4 2 2

3 5 5 5 3 3

Really 2 capos welded together, 2 frets apart. Allows very fast access to Esus configuration in keys of E, F, F# and G

Cannot flip around to form A chord, only works on a few frets, and does not work well on short or long-scales. Spring mechanism weakens. Expensive.

"Voice" Capo

pushbuttons over every fret can lock down

Does things nothing else can do.

Does not attach very securely (velcro) and has trouble accomodating different fingerboard widths and string spacings. Blocks 4 frets of your fingerboard, and looks pretty odd. Expensive.