Capo Question

[GuitarGuy503]

Last time I was at a music store I noticed that they sold capos for electric guitars and capos for acoustic. What is the difference between the two and how come you can't use an electric guitar capo on an acoustic and vise versa? Or can you?

 

[Arkitkt]

Re: Capo Question

If I'm not mistaken, the ones for acoustics are flat, while the electric ones are curved to follow the fretboard radius.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Capo Question

Last time I was at a music store I noticed that they sold capos for electric guitars and capos for acoustic. What is the difference between the two and how come you can't use an electric guitar capo on an acoustic and vise versa? Or can you?

Usually I just grab a capo, and if it works, it works. They might be different tension (i.e. you'd need more clamping force on the average acoustic versus the average electric guitar), but I don't notice. The only time I'd honestly notice a capo, I'd think, is when it's either the wrong kind (the "middle 3 strings" variety, for example), or when it doesn't work.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Capo Question

I use the same Kyser for everything. Then again, I rarely use it for electric (there is this one song we play occasionally....).

 

[Tor]

Re: Capo Question

If I'm not mistaken, the ones for acoustics are flat, while the electric ones are curved to follow the fretboard radius.

Well, I think the flat ones are for nylon acoustics (those used for classical guitar playing); the curved fits both electrical and steel stringed acoustics... At least I use my Dunlop capo (standard 14$ or something) for both and it fits perfectly...

 

[Bludave]

Re: Capo Question

I use capos more on acoustics than I do with electrics, but the capos I use would work well on electric too. I use a Hamilton Fretspanner. Most people don't like them because you have a thumbscre to clamp it down. A Squeeze type of capo works faster, but I find these work more accurately. There is a thick piece of rubber that is designed to be placed directly on the fret, so the strings are being clamped to the fret. This keeps the guitar in tune very well. Google it they are about 10 to 15$

 

[RW James]

Re: Capo Question

I use a lot of capos and I've found they all work pretty well on other guitars. But I did notice the electric capo was a tight fit on my classical, so I bought a special one for that, and I use it on my regular acoustic as well.