Capo on Bass

[LazyGecko]

So I've recently learned that capo on bass is a "thing". Since this is something that's been done I feel the need to ask the question: How many of you guys use capo on bass and if so then why? No bashing intended here. I would just like to know why people would do that.

My only experience where the terms capo and bass where ever used together we're when I realized that a bass line I had to play would require a very different fingering since we lowered the key a good amount. The guitarist just said "Use a capo" and I was legitimately horrified and in shock for 5 minutes by how he came up with that idea.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I purchased, and briefly experimented with, a "Spider Capo". It allows you to capo individual strings. Invalid Link Removed

There are a lot of things that bass players like to do that involve pedaling off of the open strings in some fashion. So I assume that those who use conventional capos on bass are simply trying to use such techniques in keys other than E or A.

 

[LazyGecko]

I purchased, and briefly experimented with, a "Spider Capo". It allows you to capo individual strings. Invalid Link Removed

There are a lot of things that bass players like to do that involve pedaling off of the open strings in some fashion. So I assume that those who use conventional capos on bass are simply trying to use such techniques in keys other than E or A.

Now THAT is new to me.

 

[LoudBadBass]

Some thoughts about using a capo from my blog post about Bass Guitar Scale Length, String Gauge, and Tuning:

Before we settle into the topic of scale, however, we need to consider that scale only measures the maximum speaking length of the string. Fretting a string creates a new speaking length, effectively shortening the scale of the instrument for as long as the string is fretted. What this means for our comparison of short, medium and long scale instruments is that a 34" long scale bass can be made to feel and function very much like a medium or short scale bass by placing a capo at the first (32.1") or second (30.3") fret respectively and a medium scale bass can function much like a short scale bass with the addition of a capo at the first fret (30.2"). Both these compromises do affect the overall playing experience a bit: it reduces the number of playable frets by one or two and it changes which fret acts as the octave fret, making the position markers on the neck misleading and problematic. (I suppose the latter problem might be relieved somewhat by installing vinyl inlay stickers on your instrument by way of compromise...). Otherwise, though, this accomplishes many of the same things that make people search for a short scale bass. It brings the (relative) first fret up to 3.75" closer and reduces the stretch required to span the lower notes in the lower and open positions. The only thing it does not do is reduce the overall length and weight of the instrument, but even compared within scales, some instruments are lighter and shorter than others depending on bridge placement, body size and headstock shape and configuration.
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Other points I make there have to do with the greater availability of heavy gauge strings for long scale basses compared to shorter scale instruments.

 

[zontar]

I don't like using them on a guitar--why would I use one on bass?
If you want to try it--go for it.
I don't look down on capos--just not my thing.

 

[rafitoprtx]

I want to use a spider capo in my 5 string to get DGCF and CGCF unfreted tuning for some songs that i can't play right now. I refuse to buy a four string and detune it! Yep I'm that lazy.

 

[Stick_Player]

Hit "SEARCH". This topic comes up every 6 months.

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

Capo on a bass? Not me.

Wouldn't that make it less of a bass?

 

[Nev375]

It all boils down to how you are using it. For traditional basslines, there shouldn't be much point in one. For wild Michael Manring type solo riffs, I can definitely see uses for full and partial capos. (since most of us don't own an $8000 hyperbass with detuners on all 4 strings and the bridge where we quickly have to adjust tunings 60 or 70 times during one song)

 

[Jensby design]

I use a capo, spider capo, and alternate tuning.
It all depends on what drones and harmonics I wish to use.
Your bass is your tool for making music, use it to whatever extent you want.

 

[mcarp555]

McCartney was photographed in the studio back in '66 or so using a capo on his Ric. Nothing new under the sun.

 

[raventepes]

I'm with Jensby on this one. It all depends on what you need. Personally, when I'm playing solo stuff, I do use a lot of drones, and Spider Capos are very useful for droning something like a C on your A string, for an example.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I want to use a spider capo in my 5 string to get DGCF and CGCF unfreted tuning for some songs that i can't play right now. I refuse to buy a four string and detune it! Yep I'm that lazy.

Lazy? A few bucks for a capo, vs. a few hundred for another bass? Maybe "smart" is a better word.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Using a capo can open different voicing for chords, or like it waas previously said different open string ... it can also change you natural harmonics so again it open a lot of stuff.

 

[Kustom_Thunder]

If the song calls for it I will use a capo just becuse I'm lazy

 

[Robert Spencer]

i capo my medium scale at the second fret after drop d tuning it. gives me a 30 inch short scale bass which works better with my left hand impairment.

 

[rafitoprtx]

My lazy comment came from another thread about using a capo on a bass. And somebody said that bass is a single note instrument and if you use a capo you are lazy. Some times people says stupid stuff just to try to look smart. Use the capo, be free!

 

[BeowulfKingsley]

I always have one around. Some bandleaders want to change keys on some song that has an idiosyncratic fingering (just for an example, the blues tune "Help Me Baby", which works fine in E, but is just plain clunky in F) and I'll use it for that. Not because I can't play the song in F, but it'll groove better that way. Also, if the same bandleader wants to take like a 40 chorus solo (and yes, I counted!) then my hand won't fall off.

 

[mellowinman]

I would NEVER capo a guitar or bass, unless I wanted to be in a different key.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I've used them in the past but mainly on the first or second fret. And mostly just for jamming at home. Like for example if i want to jam along to white pony by the deftones il just put the capo on the first fret and play in C standard. I'm not gonna go out and buy another bass to have it setup for a tuning my band doesn't use.