Glider | Kyser | Shubb | Spider
A capo is a tool you attach to your guitar neck to allow you to play open-position chords and open strings at any given fret.
Most people use a capo to change the key of a song, but creatively, it offers much more potential. Just look at Andy McKee in the video below, performing his composition Rylynn—a perfect example of how a capo can be used for more than just basic transposition.
You don’t have to be as advanced as Andy, though. For example, layering guitars in the studio becomes much easier when you use a capo, as it forces you to play different chord shapes on each part.
Singer-songwriters and one-man bands rarely leave the house without a capo, and neither should any serious guitarist.
The masters of this technique are Tom Petty and Mike Campbell, who use a capo to great effect on Learning To Fly and Free Fallin’. They’ve shown how successfully a capo can transform a song.
Choosing the right capo depends on how you intend to use it. As you’ll see, the capo market is vast, and there’s no obvious “best” option. Each has its pros and cons depending on your needs.
Let’s take a look at the best options while you continue to explore Rylynn.
Shubb Deluxe and C7B
The Shubb Deluxe capo features a roller mechanism to tighten the capo, offering a significant improvement over the original rubber-tip design. It works exceptionally well and ensures a secure fit.
In addition to refining their classic capo, Shubb also offers the C7b Special Partial Capo, which allows you to capo just three strings. This unique capo is used by YouTube legend Andy McKee in the video above.
Other musicians have also experimented with multiple partial capos to create high-strung, open-tuning sounds, expanding their tonal possibilities.
My favourite capo is the Shubb, but let’s explore three more brands, each offering a unique take on the concept.
Glider Capo
The Glider is a capo that stays on the guitar, so there’s no chance of losing it.
What’s great about the Glider is that it allows you to change keys while still playing, giving you even more flexibility in performance. Greg Bennet demonstrates this best in the video above.
For me, the only downside is how it changes the sound of the guitar when not in use. Dampening the strings behind the nut alters the overtones, which is noticeable when playing acoustically. That said, I only really notice this when unplugged; when amplified, the change in sound is minimal.
So, for live use, the Glider Capo might just be the best option, offering great mobility while sacrificing little in terms of overall performance.
Kyser Capo
For many, not losing your capo, whether on or off stage, can become a huge challenge.
The Kyser Quick-Change Capo quickly became a favourite thanks to its clamp design, which allows you to attach the capo to the top of the headstock when it’s not in use—perfect for keeping it within reach, and you don’t mess with any overtones!
Spider Capo
The Spider Capo takes capo use to a whole new level. This device lets you select which individual strings to capo, while leaving others open. You can even play behind the capo or use it for open chord tunings.
No matter which capo you choose, one thing’s for sure: you’ll probably spend a fair amount of time looking for it!
When your live set relies on it, always carry a backup.
