Are capos never used on electric guitars?

ragser · #1 July 19th, 2007

This question hit me when I was looking to buy a capo. All the capos I found are for ACOUSTIC guitars and not electric. I'm looking for a capo mainly because I could need it to adjust the string height on my acoustic guitar and for the electric guitar I'm about to order. Here are two capos that I found:
Dunlop Capo 14fd Playback 5 € Exc VAT
Dunlop Trigger Capo 83cdn Playback 15 € Exc VAT

The second one looks a lot better I know. But my question is, if I buy that capo along with my electric guitar. Isn't it possible for me to use it to adjust the string height or use it to play with?

wjp01908 · #2 July 19th, 2007

I`m not sure what you mean by using the capo to adjust the string height.

A capo can be used to hold the strings down at the first fret while checking the neck relief or you can use it to hold all the stings tidily on an acoustic if you slacken the strings and pop the bridge pins out while shaving the saddle - is this what you had in mind?

If you are finding it hard to play your guitar without a capo on the first few frets it may be that the nut is too high.

Anyway, a capo most certainly can be used on an electric - I do it fairly often - especially when playing with horn players (our bass player is an accomplished trumpeter and we also have an occasional sax player) who tend to favour awkward keys for guitar such as Eb & Bb

Be aware that the spring ones can be a bit fierce and can put the lighter strings on an electric out of tune. If you think you`ll get a lot of use from it, it might be worth going for something like a G7th - they are capable of being set to just the right amount of pressure.

HTH

Will

ragser · #3 July 19th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjp01908

I`m not sure what you mean by using the capo to adjust the string height.

A capo can be used to hold the strings down at the first fret while checking the neck relief or you can use it to hold all the stings tidily on an acoustic if you slacken the strings and pop the bridge pins out while shaving the saddle - is this what you had in mind?
Will

I was just thinking about the thread about string height on this forum. You need to capo the first fret to check the relief on the strings. That's all. As for playing it's nothing that I truly need since I have no trouble playing on the first frets without a capo it's just a cool thing to play with every once in a while. Some songs sounds better with a capo

wjp01908 · #4 July 19th, 2007

Hi Ragser

If that`s all you want to do then just improvise - a pencil and an elastic band would probably do it.

Or ask someone else to fret the strings for you

Will

Lcjones · #5 July 19th, 2007

I use my "acoustic" capo's on my electrics all the time, including the seriously on the slim neck of the Rickenbacker. I use Kyser capos.

**
LC

fireblade · #6 July 20th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lcjones

I use my "acoustic" capo's on my electrics all the time, including the seriously on the slim neck of the Rickenbacker. I use Kyser capos.

**
LC

Kyser here too, on both electric and acoustic

Hilch · #7 July 20th, 2007

I use a Kyser Cappo

I can't play barre chords

bolerama · #8 July 20th, 2007

Capos normally change the voicing of chords and can help you change keys if necessary. Listen to James Taylor for acoustic use of the capo. Try Ry Cooder when he plays slide in drop "d" tuning. He often uses a capo on the second fret on his stratocaster. You have to check the radius of your fretboard on both your acoustic and your electric. I have a Larivee acoustic made in the 80's with a very wide flat fretboard. Conversely, my stratocaster has a radiused fretboard (rounded or crowned on the top). The point is make sure that the capo you use will provide equalized pressure on each of your strings. I used to use a double elastic/eyelet type for my Larrivee, which worked as well or better than some of the mechanical types of capos. I had to lower the pitch of the b string, however, in order to correct the intonation. I have sinced switched to a Shubb capo (either brass or chrome available). They seem to work the best of any mechanical ones I've tried. Intonation seems very good with little or no adjustment of tuning. They cost about $20 -$25 canadian. (sorry about the currency).

Good luck.
Bolerama

Stratrat · #9 July 21st, 2007

I use a Kyser on both my acoustic and electric guitars (including a 12-string acoustic.) It works equally well on every one of them I've tried, regardless of neck radius.

D-Dawn · #10 February 6th, 2008

Old thread I know, but is almost answering a question I have.
So it is ok to use the same capo on electric as I do for my acoustic?
I went searching for specifically "electric guitar capo" and found they make both...I just don't want to hurt my new strat (or the strings) with my acoustic capo if I can avoid it. Is there less grip or tension to an electric guitar capo to keep from harming the lighter strings and differently shaped neck?
I have a shubb and a keyser, both made for acoustic I believe

ragser · #11 February 6th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Dawn

Old thread I know, but is almost answering a question I have.
So it is ok to use the same capo on electric as I do for my acoustic?
I went searching for specifically "electric guitar capo" and found they make both...I just don't want to hurt my new strat (or the strings) with my acoustic capo if I can avoid it. Is there less grip or tension to an electric guitar capo to keep from harming the lighter strings and differently shaped neck?
I have a shubb and a keyser, both made for acoustic I believe

I've ordered an electric capo that I'll get with the next couple of weeks, hopefully it will work on my acoustic just fine. Dunno about the other way round though, if acoustic capos can hurt electrics.

bolerama · #12 February 6th, 2008

I don't know there is any difference at all. Tension can be adjusted no matter what variety you use. The width of the capo may provide a problem if an electric one is narrower. This would mean an acoustic capo would work on an electric but may get in the way of your fretting hand. I don't think you will harm anything either way.
Good Luck
Bolerama

D-Dawn · #13 February 6th, 2008

Thanks guys

bobbio · #14 February 18th, 2008

Guitar necks are usually bigger than electric necks. It's probably OK to use a capo for both, but I would think it best to use an acoustic capo on an electric rather than an electric capo on an acoustic as this might put a lot of tension on the neck position. Enough to hurt the guitar? I don't know, but probably not; however, I would definitely take it off as soon as it's no longer needed, i.e. would not store the guitar with the capo on.
Hope this helps.