Did you get yourself a guitar capo but not really sure what is the right way to tune your guitar – with or without the capo?

Can you tune a guitar with a capo on?

Yes, technically you can tune a guitar with a capo on. However, it’s not recommended as the only way to tune it. The capo effectively changes the guitar’s physical tension, resulting in a different sound.

I find that this is especially true with acoustic guitars.  An electric guitar with a capo sometimes has this issue as well, but a lower action electric guitar usually doesn’t have as many of these issues.

So you want to make sure the guitar is perfectly in tune before adding the capo.  Then, you fine tune the standard tuning from there.

Changing the degree of tension changes the tone. What you are looking for when you tune a guitar with a capo on is to retain as much of the original harmonic content as possible and, more importantly, to retain its fundamental tone.

But, I can see specific reasons why you would want to tune your guitar with the capo on.  For example, during a live performance.  You may want to quickly tune up in between songs – so for this case, it is fine.

Should You Tune With A Capo?

Yes. As long as you start with a tuned guitar in standard tuning or baritone tuning if you have a baritone guitar.  It’s not a good idea to tune with the capo all the time.  Unless you find yourself back at that scenario often enough to justify it.

But, if you are doing that, then take care of your guitar. If your guitar is not properly adjusted before putting on the capo, you are asking for trouble after having added it on. Then all the tension adjustments will be compromised.

How To Tune A Guitar With A Capo

To begin, you are going to want to start with a guitar that is in tune to standard tuning without the capo.  So tune it as you normally wood with a guitar tuner.

Next, place the capo on your guitar neck and play a guitar chord.  You may notice some strings are slightly out of tune.  Sometimes, the pressure from the capo presses down on the strings and can case notes to go sharp.

The capo does not affect the tuning of the neck of the guitar.  The capo only changes the tension of the strings at that point on the neck.

Once you have observed this, proceed to tune the rest of your guitar either with the capo.

Tuning With Capo On 2nd Fret

There really is no difference on which fret you put your capo on in regards to tuning.  You can put the capo on the 1st fret, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th fret.

It makes a difference in regards to how hard it will press down on the strings compared to the pressure from your playing style.  The capo that’s too tight will be difficult to play. And less likely to cause any problems with tuning other than making it more difficult simply because it presses down on all of the strings.

Common Capo Tuning Problems

Some issues that happen with capos and your guitar tuning are:

• A buzz when you are playing a chord, especially a barre chord.  This is generally caused by the capo pressing down hard enough on the strings that it pushes up the open notes of that chord into a higher pitch.
• A change in tone or sound, or an in-harmonic tone when using a capo with your favorite guitar tuner.  The most common cause of this is dulling of your guitar’s strings.  Dulling of your strings causes some strings to sound differently than others.
• A change in volume or loudness when using a capo on some of your strings.  This effect is caused by the tension of the capo affecting certain strings more than others.

A lot of these tuning problems can be corrected by just adjusting your tuning slightly with your guitar tuner.  However, it is much easier to tune without a capo if you can do that properly and take the time to fine tune it using this method.

Best Capo For Tuning Stability

If you are looking for a good capo that is also going to maintain your tuning stability, I would recommend the D’Addario Pro Plus Capo.  It works with any fretboard radius and the tension is adjustable so you can dial in just the right tension you need without it being too much.

Conclusion

This is not the only way to tune a guitar, but it does work. You can even use different tunings with or without the capo.

By playing the chord under the capo, you are forcing it to hold that particular tone.  That will keep your tuning stable because if you are always having problems finding the right combination of strings you are looking for, it likely means your guitar is out of tune due to string dulling or incorrect tension adjustments.

The post REVEALED: Can You Tune A Guitar With A Capo On? appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Quick Links To Our Best Beginner Capo Recommendations

• D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo – Our Top Choice!
• WINGO Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitars
• Donner Guitar Capo
• UGY Capo
• Ernie Ball Axis Dual Radius Capo

Our Top Capos For Beginners Reviews

D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo

The D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capos is definitely one of the best capo that you can buy for a beginner. This capo is perfect for both acoustic and electric guitars. This capo is designed to deliver quick and easy action, while offering accurate intonation across all fretboard positions.

The D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo was designed to be affordable and easy to use. It is also very durable. This capo will last you for years. If you are not sure what kind of capo is best for you, this one should fit your budget and needs.

Pros

• Easy to use and comfortable.
• Easy to assemble and take apart.
• Very durable. It will last you for years, even with heavy use.

Cons

• A little hard to adjust intonation on some guitars. (Very minor).

Check The Latest Price On The D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo

WINGO Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitars

WINGO Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitars is a capo that is made from aluminum and has a lifetime warranty. This capo will fit a wide range of guitars including acoustic and electric guitars capo.

This is a great capo that is highly preferred by many beginner guitar players because of its durable construction.

This capo is very easy to use. It has a spring-loaded lever mechanism that allows you to adjust the tension on the strings with ease. What’s more, there are no springs inside the capo which means it will not affect the sound of your guitar when you are playing.

Pros

• it is very easy to use
• it is durable

Cons

• it may not fit thinner necks.

Check The Latest Price On The WINGO Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Donner Guitar Capo

Donner Guitar Capo is a capo that is made from high-quality zinc alloy. It fits a wide range of guitars, both acoustic and electronic.

This is another great capo that beginner players should consider buying. It has a nice feel to it and it fits securely on guitar necks. You can also adjust the locking tension on this capo and it does not affect the sound of your guitar when you are using it.

Pros

• decent price
• excellent quality

Cons

• it is a bit difficult to use.

Check The Latest Price On The Donner Guitar Capo

UGY Capo

UGY Guitar Capo is one of the best capos that we recommend. It is made from stainless steel and has a lifetime warranty. The capo is very easy to use as it fits securely on the guitar neck.

It has a spring loaded tension system which allows you to adjust the tension on the guitar neck with ease. It also does not affect the sound of your guitar when you are using it, making it a good option for players of all skill levels to consider buying.

Pros

• very easy to use.

Cons

• the capo may come off the guitar if you are not careful.

Check The Latest Price On The UGY Capo

Ernie Ball Axis Dual Radius Capo

Ernie Ball Axis Dual Radius Capo is a very nice capo that is highly recommended by many beginner guitarist. It fits very well on guitar necks and it allows you to adjust the tension on your guitar neck with ease.

This capo is also very easy to open and close, making sure that you do not lose your grip of the capo while you are adjusting it. This capo is very durable and it will last for years, even with heavy use.

Pros

• very easy to use
• durable

Cons

• None

Check The Latest Price On The Ernie Ball Axis Dual Radius Capo

Our Conclusion On Beginner Guitar Capos

The best beginner guitar capo is going to depend on what you are hoping to achieve with the capo. In most cases, the best beginner guitar capo will be one that allows you to change the key very easily and compactly. If you are just starting out, then we recommend buying a guitar capo that does not require you to lift up your fingers from time to time or get rid of your hands from your neck.

The post THESE 5 Best Beginner Capos Are Great To Start With appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Guitar Capo Function And Use

The main reason why people use this device is to fit the pitch of their particular instrument to their preferred key.

This video does a great job visually explaining it:

While some people believe that the use of a capo can ruin the sound of a guitar, this is not true. The tension on a capo may change the way a note sounds to you but it will not make the note fail to sound like itself. Whatever affect a capo has on your playing will depend on the type of guitar and playing style used.

It is also a matter of opinion whether the use of a capo creates an ideal playing environment. Because you are altering the pitch, the guitar will respond differently and you may have to adjust your playing style. From this perspective it can be hard to develop proper technique when using a capo because there is no real way to play without one.

Whether it’s right for your style or not, a capo does allow some freedom in how you play.

How Do You Put A Capo On your Guitar?

It’s very simple, you just place it on the neck like a clamp.  It is the same way for both acoustic or using a capo on an electric guitar.  New guitar players may want to look at these beginner capos to help them as well.

A capo is placed on the fret board in a way that allows you to play in any key. The capo can be placed at any fret along the neck. For example, if you want to play a song in the key of B, you would place the capo right before or after the 2nd fret. Then place your fingers accordingly on your frets and hit those strings with your pick to make them sound like B notes.

What To Use Instead Of A Capo?

Many times you can play a song in a different key than it was originally written. This can be done by playing the song in different positions on the neck of your guitar. This works, but is not ideal, because every note will be placed differently and some notes may be hard to hit in certain areas of the neck.

The post EXPLAINED: What Does A Guitar Capo Do? appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of choices before finding one that suits your needs perfectly.

Quick Links To Our Best 12 String Guitar Capo Recommendation

• Kyser Quick-Change Capo – Our Top Choice!
• S3 Shubb Deluxe Series 12 String Guitar Capo
• G7th Newport Guitar Capo
• WINGO Wide Guitar Capo

Our Top Capo For 12 String Acoustic Guitars Reviews

Kyser Quick-Change Capo

The Kyser Quick-Change Capo is perfect for those who are looking for a new capo. It features a spring design which allows it to automatically lock into place without much squeezing required. This also makes the capo easier to use as you won’t have to spend much time positioning the capo. The spring makes it nice and easy to use. You also get a fair amount of durability with the Kyser Quick-Change Capo. It’s made from high-quality aluminum which is strong yet malleable enough to squeeze into place with ease.

The Kyser Quick-Change Capo features a well-designed clamp which provides a solid fit that you can rely on for years to come.

Pros

• Compact design
• Easy to use
• Strong and durable aluminum construction
• Reduces wear and tear on your strings, eliminating need for constant restringing

Cons

• None that we can think of unless you’re looking for something more.

Check The Latest Price On The Kyser Quick-Change Capo

S3 Shubb Deluxe Series 12 String Guitar Capo

Tighten up your tuning with the S3 Shubb Deluxe Series 12 String Guitar Capo. Engineered from machined aluminum, this capo takes a beating and keeps on playing. It offers excellent support for larger stringed instruments like 12 string guitars. It has a lever-loaded clamp design which allows for quick and efficient use.

The Shubb Deluxe Series 12 String Guitar Capo is designed to protect your strings from unnecessary wear and tear, ensuring that they last for much longer than they would without this guitar capo.

Pros

• Lever design provides easy positioning as it places the capo where you want it with ease.

Cons

• One-size-fits-all design may not work with all guitars.

Check The Latest Price On The S3 Shubb Deluxe Series 12 String Guitar Capo

G7th Newport Guitar Capo

The G7th Newport Guitar Capo is made from high-quality materials and features the company’s patented technology which is designed to increase tuning stability. You’ll also find that it’s easy to use with a quick-release lever which makes removing and replacing the capo a breeze. The clamp is also designed to be adjustable so it can fit all types of guitars and 12 string guitars, providing you with a secure fit and maximum tuning stability.

Pros

• Quick release lever for easy removal and the rigid steel construction ensures that the capo won’t break off while in use.

Cons

• The clamp may not work with all stringed instruments.

Check The Latest Price On The G7th Newport Guitar Capo

WINGO Wide Guitar Capo

Say goodbye to constantly adjusting your capo. The WINGO Wide Guitar Capo is designed to maintain a tight grip on the fret board while offering a wide neck lock which will work with any size guitar. This means that you’ll be able to use your capo on anything from a 6 string acoustic guitar to a 12 string acoustic guitar with ease.

The WINGO Wide Guitar Capo features a unique design which makes it easy to place and get the job done quickly. This capo also works with both electric and acoustic guitars, making it an excellent choice for the guitarist who owns both types of guitars.

Pros

• Designed to work on any size instrument and wide neck lock keeps your tuning in place.

Cons

• The screw which holds the capo on may end up breaking over time if you don’t take proper care of it.

Check The Latest Price On The WINGO Wide Guitar Capo

Choosing The Right 12 String Acoustic Guitar Capo

If you’re a guitarist, then it’s essential that you pick out the best 12 string acoustic guitar capo for your needs. There are so many different kinds on the market that it can be difficult to find the right one. But what should you look for?

Capos can be really useful when it comes to tuning your guitar. Just remember that you’ll need to replace the capo on a regular basis as it can be destroyed from overuse. Also note that the capo will wear down your strings which means you’ll have to replace them more often than usual (once every few weeks instead of once every few months).

Related – Can you tune a guitar with a capo on?

The best way to prevent this from happening is to pick a capo that makes changing it easier. You should also pick a capo that offers plenty of support and will fit on all of your guitars. The vast majority of the 12 string guitar capos on the market are designed to be used with electric guitars, while a few are designed for acoustic guitars too. Do your research and make sure that you’re picking the right one for your needs.

12 String Guitar Capo Brands

There are several brands out there and they’re all good. From the famous Dunlop to the lesser known Kyser, you won’t find a lot of difference between them. It’s important to note that these capos are made from high-quality materials and are designed to provide excellent support for just about any instrument. Some other brands include Planet Waves, G7th vs Shubb, Wingo and more.

Some 12 String Capo FAQ’s

Can You Use A Capo On A 12 String Guitar?

You can use a capo on a 12 string guitar but you should be aware that it won’t work as well as it does with a 6 string acoustic or electric guitar. This is due to the fact that the tension in your strings will be uneven which will cause your guitar to sound out of tune. For this reason, you will likely want to avoid using a capo when playing with others.

Do You Need A Special Capo For 12 String Guitar?

There are some capos that aren’t designed to clamp on 12 string guitars. The most popular capos for 6 string acoustic or electric guitars are likely to be the wrong size. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some support, you can still use these capos on 12 string guitars although you should be prepared for your tuning to become unstable. That’s why I recommend the above choices because they are designed to be used on 12-strings.

Will A 12 String Go Out Of Tune With A Capo?

This depends on the capo. Most of the time, it won’t go out of tune. The strings are under enough tension for this not to happen. However, some capos aren’t designed to work with 12 string guitars, so you need to make sure that you are using the correct capo to not cause tuning issues.

Can A Capo Be Used With A Concave Neck?

Yes, in fact, this is common. Most of the time, you can use a capo on a concave neck and it will work fine.

Should You Capo A 12 String Guitar?

Some guitar players will tell you that you should capo your 12 string guitar while others will say that it’s better to play it without one.

Conclusion

You’ll find that there are a lot of capos on the market, many of which offer great support for acoustic guitars. How you choose to use your 12-string acoustic guitar capo will depend on what kind of music you play and how hard you play it. Pick out the right capo for your needs and you can enjoy playing your guitar all day long.

The post THESE 4 Best 12 String Guitar Capos Are Great Choices! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

The main difference between the Shubb Capo and the G7th capo is the design of the clamp.  The Shubb is tightened to the guitar neck with a bolt design while the G7th capo uses a spring design.

About The Shubb Capo

It’s more than just a capo. There’s no need to take the guess work out of what makes for a good capo. The Shubb Capo was designed our engineers with input from hundreds of musicians. It’s engineered to have one of the highest resonance and lowest possible noise in it’s design. The Shubb capo will fit any guitar. It’s ergonomic design allows for ease of use. As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why the Shubb Capo is one of the best on the market today.

The G7th Performance Capo

The G7th Performance Capo is one of the newer capos on the market today. Although it has only recently been introduced, it has already made a name for itself in the industry. This capo is designed to allow you to play in any position. It’s ergonomic design allows for easy use of the capo by your fingers. They have done extensive research on this product and have developed it with one thing in mind; performance.  They also make excellent 12 string acoustic guitar capos as well.

G7th Performance Capos Vs Shubb

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities between these capos. Both are designed with performance in mind. If you’re looking for good tone, either of these would be a great choice for you.

Which One Should You Choose?

This one comes down to what you need out of a capo and the style of music that you play. Also, what is your budget because the price difference between the two is quite large. The Shubb is slightly lighter in weight, but it does cost quite a bit less than the G7th. If you’re looking for a lower priced capo, the Shubb would be the better option.

Related reading – Can you use a capo on an electric guitar?

Both of these capos are designed really well and are a great addition to your guitar rig. Make sure you consider everything when choosing between these two capos.

The post COMPARED: Shubb Capo vs G7th appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.