Bass Capo

[Matt Misso]

SPIDER not stryder*

 

[ZenG]

I have one.....just a regular clamp-on Capo.....works fine.

I use it for when I'm checking string clearances, heights, neck relief etc etc ,

 

[JD Ronson]

It's a dead thread but I'm adding this:
Another one bites the Dust by Queen was done originally tuned UP 1/2 step. To cover that one (in F) it's doable with a 5-er or, with a 4-str and a capo. I was always in the Oh Hell NO camp until I had to switch into Another One bites the dust and get the right tone. The low B string just doesn't have the same tone as the E str, and with a song where the bass line is basically LEGENDARY - best not f with it. Capo FTW

 

[micguy]

I have a capo - it gets used to hold down the strings on the first fret during setups. It's in my shop, not in the bag that goes to gigs. So, capos are useful to me, just not for playing music.

 

[JD Ronson]

I have a capo - it gets used to hold down the strings on the first fret during setups. It's in my shop, not in the bag that goes to gigs. So, capos are useful to me, just not for playing music.

This was originally why I purchased one. I WILL use it if needed - I ain't scared =)

 

[Showdown]

I posted a couple of times earlier in this thread, but have an update to add. I play in the house band for an open mic night every Thursday night. I'm asked to play songs I don't know all the time, following the guitar or ukulele (this is Hawaii, lots of ukes). When they use a capo it is easier for me on the fly to follow them if I use a capo. I don't always take it and can certainly do it without, but it does make it easier. And I don't get paid any more for doing it the hard way than the easy way, so why not make it easy?

Also, I don't care what others think about it. No one I've played with either in the house band or on sub gigs where I have done the same thing (and I play a lot of sub gigs) have ever complained. Bands know I can come in without even getting a song list before the gig and pull it off, they don't care if a capo is involved.

 

[Michedelic]

It's a dead thread but I'm adding this:
Another one bites the Dust by Queen was done originally tuned UP 1/2 step. To cover that one (in F) it's doable with a 5-er or, with a 4-str and a capo. I was always in the Oh Hell NO camp until I had to switch into Another One bites the dust and get the right tone. The low B string just doesn't have the same tone as the E str, and with a song where the bass line is basically LEGENDARY - best not f with it. Capo FTW

Couldn’t you just play it in E? Nothing wrong with that, unless there’s a guitar riff/lick that just has to be done in a certain key. In my neophyte days, the guitarist I played with and I were befuddled by Hendrix recordings while trying to play along, until we caught wind that he tuned to Eb. “Fire” is actuslly played in D position, but you hear it in Db. D makes far more sense; you can’t be misled by what you hear on records. On some older hits, stuff was mastered at a higher speed to fit the 3 minute limit.

 

[Michedelic]

In this 60(!)year old clip of the late, great Eddie Cochran, at 6:15(as well as a couple of other songs)the bass player uses a capo to essentially play rhythm guitar...

The entire video is the real deal stuff.

 

[JD Ronson]

In this 60(!)year old clip of the late, great Eddie Cochran, at 6:15(as well as a couple of other songs)the bass player uses a capo to essentially play rhythm guitar...

The entire video is the real deal stuff.

BRILLIANT!!
I was considering something like this for some of our stuff - biggest problem of this setup I've found is that the bottom misses. BUT If I did high chords with a LOW octaver it may sound fuller than if I run an UP octave effect.

 

[Watchootognbout]

A Spider Capo XXL is what I use for my six string bass.

You can use it to get harmonics other than what the open string gives.
But of course that does shift the position of the harmonic.

 

[Tazziedevil]

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.

huh, that’s interesting. Occasionally when I’m playing blues or jazz in Eb (not very often) and don’t feel like playing up the neck, I’ll tune down a half step and playing as if I were playing in E

 

[Lizooki]

I don't use one on my bass, but I can see where it would be useful.
being a Gospel player in a church I play with a LOT of different people.
Kinda the de facto house bass at church, lol.
These people tend to use a lot of bluegrassy type stuff and use capos.
They play all over the place ..... it would keep me from having to chase them down for the
first few notes!