So.... I used a capo last night!

[JohnArnson]

You can always do that without a capo. You just fret the string and pluck while "fretting" the harmonic with the right hand.
As an example...

Jaco would shorten the string with his right hand pinky to get any harmonic note he needed.

So how do you achieve alternate tunings without actually retuning your bass or using something like the Spider bass capo XXL?

 

[Stevorebob]

So how do you achieve alternate tunings without actually retuning your bass or using something like the Spider bass capo XXL?

One doesn't. I get alternate tunings, even though I prefer just to fret the note. The spider capo only changes the open string, which I don't find helpful unless there's an open-string drone needed. I get the need, it's just not necessary for me. Different style of playing altogether than what I do.

 

[Stevorebob]

Let me add: Respect to those who use capos effectively.

 

[James Collins]

So how do you achieve alternate tunings without actually retuning your bass or using something like the Spider bass capo XXL?

I am only referring to using the natural harmonics. Don't get me wrong, I have a spider capo xxl and it is the best single capo I have found for my 6 string thumb.

You can do alternate tunings that aren't possible with the spider capo using multiple normal capos. But honestly most of the time when you use a capo, I need to put the capo on and then adjust the tuning anyway. I mean if I fret the 10th fret on my B string it might not be exactly the same as my open A string or the 7th harmonic on my D string. Granted, guitars are not ever going to be perfectly in tune anyway.

One doesn't. I get alternate tunings, even though I prefer just to fret the note. The spider capo only changes the open string, which I don't find helpful unless there's an open-string drone needed. I get the need, it's just not necessary for me. Different style of playing altogether than what I do.

The area I find it most useful for me is so niche not to matter for most. Imagine that you just learned to play Capricho Arabe by Tarrega on your classical guitar and you want to play it on your bass. The simplest solution I have involves tuning BEADGC#F# and putting a capo on the 5th or using two capos (one on the 5th and the other on the 4th frets).

 

[Watchootognbout]

You can always do that without a capo. You just fret the string and pluck while "fretting" the harmonic with the right hand.
As an example...

Yeah.
Pinch harmonics.

 

[James Collins]

Yeah.
Pinch harmonics.

Nope. That is an artificial harmonic. A pinched harmonic is something like you hear in Pantera.

 

[Flamingo21]

The simplest solution I have involves tuning BEADGC#F# and putting a capo on the 5th or using two capos (one on the 5th and the other on the 4th frets).

Mind-boggling...

 

[Watchootognbout]

You can always do that without a capo. You just fret the string and pluck while "fretting" the harmonic with the right hand.
As an example...

Yes you can.
If one hand is fretting.
But it's kind of hard to if you're using both hands to tap.
One may want a harmonic that's not on a fretted string.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It came in a day early!

Experimenting...............

 

[Nashrakh]

It came in a day early!
View attachment 3578756
Experimenting...............

So, how do you like it so far?

 

[Watchootognbout]

So, how do you like it so far?

Great!
I'm currently drawing up a capo harmonic diagram.
Fleshing out my ideas.

 

[Flamingo21]

Great!
I'm currently drawing up a capo harmonic diagram.

Please post! Looking forward to see it.