Bass Capo

[tiredman9]

Where can i get a bass capo?

[Dan1099]

A regular capo would hold down your strings just fine. I'm unaware of any "bass specific" capo. That said, what do you need one for? The primary purpose of a capo is to allow guitar players to play "open" chords in different keys. I don't see what it would add to bass guitar.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by tiredman9

Where can i get a bass capo?

Not in the techniqe section!

[seanm]

I use one of the cheap nylon strap around the back style of capo on my bass for setups.

Originally Posted by Dan1099

The primary purpose of a capo is to allow guitar players to play "open" chords in different keys. I don't see what it would add to bass guitar.

I used to use a capo on one ZZ Top song. I think it was one of the later more keyboard oriented songs. It allowed you to play the entire bassline on open strings.

It was more of a stupid party trick. You could stand there with a beer in your hand for the entire song

[fenderx55]

get a shubby (sp?), it puts equal pressure on all the strings.

[iamthebassman]

I use a capo every gig on "Tomorrow Never Knows", I have the "one-hand" type that just clamps on, and removes easily. I don't remember the brand. Make sure you get one that fits your fingerboard radius.

[justateenpoet]

Get a Kyser made specifically for 12-string guitars. Fits most 4 and 5 string basses comfortably. You gan get them just about anywhere, Musician's Friend, GC, etc.

[munificent]

Originally Posted by Dan1099

That said, what do you need one for?

I've actually wondered about a capo too. I need it because when a guitarist puts a capo on it puts the tuning of the guitar a little sharp (about 20%). I've considered getting a capo for my bass to get the same change to keep in tune.

The problem is that both of my guitarists' guitars are affected differently by the capos, so there's no hope of us all being perfectly in tune anyway. I just try to pull my notes a bit until they sound right.

[iamthebassman]

Are you sure he's placing it correctly? Capo right behind the fret will sharpen the pitch.

[munificent]

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

Are you sure he's placing it correctly? Capo right behind the fret will sharpen the pitch.

I'm confused. Are you saying that using the capo correctly will cause the result I describe?

[iamthebassman]

It has been my experience that placing the capo right behind the fret will cause the tuning to go sharp. Placing it further back, but not so far that there's string buzz, will reduce or eliminate this problem. Your mileage may vary.

[tplyons]

I've used a Shubb 12 String and a regular clamp on Kyser with good results.

[Bob Clayton]

i use it on the low E.

in some songs we are in Drop D and in some we are standard.

it's just a lot easier.

plus better tone (IMO) with an open E instead of the second fret while in Drop D (or first in Eb)

[MaskedJackal]

Anyone who wants to hear a good capoed J-bass should give Opeth's "Windowpane" a listen. Martin Mendez uses it on the second fret to get the open-string tones of the F# transposition, and it works well and makes the song easier to play overall.

[ajb2804]

not to be a jerk or anything but.......
WHY ON EARTH DO YOU WANT A CAPO ON A BASS?in 25 years of playing,never even heard of using a capo on a bass.

[MaskedJackal]

For kicks, really. Just to experiment.

Never bad to be open-minded

[Bob Clayton]

it's easier. in SOME cases.

for instance one song my band has called pantomime.

we use Drop D. but the intro bass line i wrote with a capo on the 2nd fret of the low D(E) string. it is played pretty quickly.

for example it's easier to play this

Capo on 2nd fret, so open is now an E
D----------------------------9-7-6-7-6---
A---------------------------------------7-
E-0-6-7-6-0-7--0-6-7-6-0-7---------------

than this
D----------------------------9-7-6-7-6---
A---------------------------------------7-
D-2-6-7-6-2-7--2-6-7-6-2-7---------------

i just use it for one song.

i don't see the point in using it for every song. just change the tuning.

[Munjibunga]

You should wear a red thong while using the capo. It'll restore the credibility you'll lose when you put that capo on your bass.

[JimmyM]

Munji, your tagline is the red thong of taglines

ajb, if you have read this thread and still have to ask that question, then maybe you should read it a little harder.

[jetsetvet]

I have a P bass with a fat 1968 Telecaster neck I sometimes use that I "D" tune down a whole step (using LaBella strings that are specifically made to be tuned down a whole step). It is cool to capo it at the second fret to get to standard "E" tuning because the character of the tone is essentially that of a short scale bass (about 30" rather than 34") which is tubby and deep. It is also useful to capo at the first fret to get the Eb tuning for Hendrix and other blues tunes. I will admit though that it is necessary to retune after clamping the capo on....no biggie there really. Its a little nerdy but useful.