Double Bass Bass Capos a sinch to install/ with finished pics.

[hbfosho]

Lately I've found myself playing only pieces that require extensions (or 5er's) and move from below the E to octaves higher and i've had enough of those big shifts. Especially after my bass skooted forward and got scratched by my bows tension screw(damn Appalachian Spring). So I just installed the capos from basscapos.com and man are they a sinch to install. All you do is follow the instructions from the website. And since i have an all ebony ext., as it states on website, i used a slightly bigger bit to drill hole. I do wanna advise people to be sure to have a friend with them when doing this and if u don't keep a grinder with you(for Eb) then lowes/home depot sales attachments that u can connect to a drill. Also ebony will get real hot, as well as the drill bits so be carefull. Also the sound they produce is amazing. its like theres just a whole other string on my bass. In comparison to all the other famous stops and extensions (yes bass world, I have encountered all the different types of extensions from the most famous U.S. and Canada makers and tried them) I would recommend this set-up as far as cost-efficiency (as i got fingered ext first, and bought capos years later), ease of install and to use, and quality of material. I'd like to taste the beef on the cow the leather came from, its just so nice. Well time for me to go get ready for Mahler 5 rehearsal.

 

[james condino]

Looks good.

Has anyone ever tried to use one of the capos as the E stop instead of the great big traditional stop? I've got a pretty thick fingerboard, so I believe there should be enough material. Why?- because I'm not a very big fan of that big stop sticking out and the idea of the large brass piece screwed under the nut isn't too appealing. 'Not trying to derail your thread or work, I just figured there would be a lot of extension /capo /stop geeks tuning into this and might have some experience to pass on. Rob, you out there lurking?

j.

 

[hbfosho]

its probably b/c you'd have to really get the extension flush with the fingerboard on the side so that it will mount level. but then u'd have to issue of e xt. being secure and not moving, maybe you should try and post some pics. Robs e-stops work great too and look like the capos themselves. If i didn't already have a e-stop i woulda got one of his.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

hb--is that a B extension? Are those capos actually in tune? Perhaps it's an optical illusion, but it looks like the spacing gets wider as you go up in pitch, rather than narrower. Am I seeing things?

 

[hbfosho]

Its a b and yes they are in tune. I took pictue in hotel room so i was tilting bass to get picture. I noticed it looks like the capos are also bigger than hat pegs but they definetly are not. Its just a funny angle is all. Its all numerically (measured with ruler) and tonally as it should be. I suppose i should have mentioned that my friend who helped (some may say did all the work,lol) is a luthier and can do anything on all stringed instruments(custom ext's, bassbars, planing, removable necks etc) on a regular Bassis.

 

[robobass]

Looks good.

Has anyone ever tried to use one of the capos as the E stop instead of the great big traditional stop? I've got a pretty thick fingerboard, so I believe there should be enough material. Why?- because I'm not a very big fan of that big stop sticking out and the idea of the large brass piece screwed under the nut isn't too appealing. 'Not trying to derail your thread or work, I just figured there would be a lot of extension /capo /stop geeks tuning into this and might have some experience to pass on. Rob, you out there lurking?

j.

Hbfosho,

Thanks for the review!

James,

I never thought of using a regular Capo in the "E" position until you wrote me about it. As far as I know no one has tried it. If the FB is thick enough, and the extension flush (often not the case), then it should be no problem - if you don't mind drilling a hole in the fingerboard itself. I think most players would find that more objectionable than a plate under the nut, but I may be wrong.

As for the plate, if you mount it as close as possible, it can stick out as little as 3/4", but typically it's around 5/8". The current E-Stop assembly weighs 53 grams, about 20 more than the Capo, but much of that can be eliminated by cutting down the tang, if you're weight conscious.

One other thing people have asked me about is a thumb lever option. I haven't done it for several reasons. Mainly, I like the trim profile of the existing design, which doesn't get hung up on the bag and won't put anyone's eye out Also, I just can't think of an elegant way to do it that would still keep costs down. Those who really want one (or who prefer carved wood fingers) can always purchase just the mounting plate/yoke with plain threaded stud, and make their own fingers.

So in the end, I plan to stick with the current design. It's not for everyone - nothing ever is - but I think it's the simplest and most practical approach anyone has come up with so far.

Many thanks to everyone out there who has BassCapos already, and I hope lot's more of you will decide to get them!

 

[james condino]

Robo shipped one out to me today, so I'll report on the results soon.

j.