I've never seriously thought about using one, but I really like the way it's used here (I assume it's to match open string drones with the guitars which also use a capo):
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Capo on bass?
- Thread starter Tony In Philly
- Start date
The capo can be used for many different effects. Play in another voice, or as a quick way to capo into a new key. I came over from rhythm guitar and used the capo many ways, i.e. cut capo, dropped D capo to name a few. If there are two rhythm guitars one could capo into another voice so mud does not develop.
I did try it on the bass, but, it "moved" my side markers and I did tend to loose my key placement. My ear is tin so I do rely upon the markers to keep me in key.
So the capo is back in the rhythm guitar gig bag. Give it a try and see what you think. They cost from $8 to $48. You can get by with a $15 guitar capo until you see if this is something you want to add to your playing.
I did try it on the bass, but, it "moved" my side markers and I did tend to loose my key placement. My ear is tin so I do rely upon the markers to keep me in key.
So the capo is back in the rhythm guitar gig bag. Give it a try and see what you think. They cost from $8 to $48. You can get by with a $15 guitar capo until you see if this is something you want to add to your playing.
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I paid $1 each for my capos - gotta love China 
. I play in DGCF tuning so occasionally use one to get the "normal" open strings.
. I play in DGCF tuning so occasionally use one to get the "normal" open strings.
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To clarify, I use them on my acoustic guitars all the time, especially with open tunings. I just never thought I would ever use one on a bass. The video above made me re-think that.
Like roadranger I use a different tuning, DGCFA#, so I very occasionally use a capo on the 2nd fret to get EADGC tuning.
I use capos from time to time for open notes and drones. I also use alternate tuning and a spider capo but it take more brain thinkin than I want to do.
The only time I used a capo was when my main bass' input jack failed minutes before a gig. Basically, I have a bass for E Standard, and one for Eb Standard, the latter then became the main bass. I didn't want to tune the strings up to E because the strings were thicker and had a tension I felt comfortable with, and didn't want to change that, plus since the strings had been on the bass for a while, it would probably want to go out of tune if I tuned up. So I put the capo on the 1st fret, so I could still play like I did in rehearsal, and not have to think too much about playing, it just felt like a slightly shorter scale bass, and I'm used to playing different scale basses anyway, so this didn't bother me.
I don't usually use a capo for anything else, though for a laugh, I tried to put it on the 12th fret to see if I could make guitar-like chords. Didn't really work.
I don't usually use a capo for anything else, though for a laugh, I tried to put it on the 12th fret to see if I could make guitar-like chords. Didn't really work.
Anyone here using one for bass have a recommendation of a good one? I have one of the '$1 from china' variety that works ok but works a lot better on smaller guitar strings than on my 5 string with a .135 B string.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
