Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

[treyhaislip]

I'm having tuning issues with a Tele (was a completed project as seen here) that only comes up when I use a capo.

I have two capos (a Keyser and a G7th) and both of them make the tuning go way out of tune...not sure why.

Without the capo the tuning is amazing, usually have to retune the high E and B after some string bends but nothing out of the ordinary. The action is set low/medium and the intonation is flawless...until I put the capo on.

Thoughts?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Kysers are the worst capos in existence. They exert WAY too much downward pressure on the neck, and due to the varied thickness of the strings, causes uneven pressure on the strings, which pretty consistently makes the guitar sound out of tune.

Use a Shubb or something where you can control the downward pressure and only set JUST ENOUGH pressure to get a clear ring from all strings and no more.

An additional trick I do is locate the rubber of the capo half over the fret so the fret stops the strings, which keeps it in tune. Locating the capo behind the fret where your fingers normally go puts uneven tension on some of the strings across the fret, making it sound out of tune.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

I'll bet you have jumbo frets right?
use a shubb so you can set the tension accordingly so it doesn't bend the strings.
Keep it close to the fret.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Shubb...

 

[Southbound Suarez]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

How is your intonation otherwise w/o a capo? I'd recommend Glendale compensated saddles as well if you don't already have them. I have the Billy Gibbons set (Brass E&B, Brass G&D, Aluminum A&E) in one of my teles.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

How is your intonation otherwise w/o a capo? I'd recommend Glendale compensated saddles as well if you don't already have them. I have the Billy Gibbons set (Brass E&B, Brass G&D, Aluminum A&E) in one of my teles.

It has nothing to do with that.....the capo is pushing the strings too hard.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Shubb for me as well....

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Kysers are the worst capos in existence. They exert WAY too much downward pressure on the neck, and due to the varied thickness of the strings, causes uneven pressure on the strings, which pretty consistently makes the guitar sound out of tune.

Use a Shubb or something where you can control the downward pressure and only set JUST ENOUGH pressure to get a clear ring from all strings and no more.

An additional trick I do is locate the rubber of the capo half over the fret so the fret stops the strings, which keeps it in tune. Locating the capo behind the fret where your fingers normally go puts uneven tension on some of the strings across the fret, making it sound out of tune.

I came to like the Kyser on my Jacksons but those had a much thinner neck...the G7th capo works best on my acoustics.

I will give a Shubb a try, thanks!

I'll bet you have jumbo frets right?
use a shubb so you can set the tension accordingly so it doesn't bend the strings.
Keep it close to the fret.

These aren't jumbo but they are pretty tall (would have preferred medium-jumbos but I bought this neck new for way cheaper than going through Warmoth/Musikraft and specifying stuff like that.)

Shubb...

I'm seeing a pattern here... :burnout:

How is your intonation otherwise w/o a capo? I'd recommend Glendale compensated saddles as well if you don't already have them. I have the Billy Gibbons set (Brass E&B, Brass G&D, Aluminum A&E) in one of my teles.

As Vasshu mentioned below, that is not the problem. But to answer your question, the intonation is spot on without the capo.

It has nothing to do with that.....the capo is pushing the strings too hard.

Yup

Shubb for me as well....

Alrighty then, sounds like I need to buy a Shubb

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

I'm always retuning when I put a capo on/take it off. I even have a Dunlop one that screws on so you can adjust the tension.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

So when taking a chord you also tune up then?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Here's a guy who really knows how to get consistent tuning from a capo- the pitch doesn't even change when he frets notes...
Boris Johnson, Britain's new Foreign Secretary.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

What da hell is a capo?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

What da hell is a capo?

I'm still figuring it out myself :smash:

But I found an Australian one here for ya

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Easy answer... don't use a capo!

Actually, I run into the same problem with my semi-hollow... I found this thread to be pretty informative for solving my problem. Thanks guys! :fing2:

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Kewl Thread.

I never use 'em,but good advice nonetheless!!!

Hope you get it sorted,Trey!!!
:wave:

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Easy answer... don't use a capo!

Actually, I run into the same problem with my semi-hollow... I found this thread to be pretty informative for solving my problem. Thanks guys! :fing2:

Ha! I love using capos!

Kewl Thread.

I never use 'em,but good advice nonetheless!!!

Hope you get it sorted,Trey!!!
:wave:

Thanks!


I ordered one last week and it should be either tomorrow or Wednesday. I will update with the results. :fingersx:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

I have one of the Planet Waves capos...... http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NSCapoLtBlk. It works great.

I also have a couple Kysers but don't use them much anymore.

I've never used a Shubb but it looks like the Planet Waves one above is based off similar tension functionality.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

I've used Kyser's for years with no problem. It's all about placement.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

So the Shubb came in and doesn't even fit my Tele...


So I think I've found the problem–my Tele has a very thick/fat neck profile. I think all of the capos are just squeezing too hard. I see offerings for capos for thicker necks so I think that is what I need to try.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tele Tuning Issue With Capo

Try the Planet Waves model I posted the link to. 2 of my necks are Warmoth boatnecks. 1" thick the entire length. That capo fits em fine.