The Best Capos For Guitar
The guitar capo is a critical accessory that allows a player to quickly change the key and tone of their guitar. Since a capo can make or break your sound, we recommend getting something with a quality build for a fair price. The market is flooded with options, and some capos are better than others. So, to help you in your search and to keep your strings ringing clear, we narrowed down the options to the best of the best.
Wingo Quick Change Capo
Clip on, rock out
When you need to capo up between songs, you want your capo to snap into place, keep the strings from buzzing, and clamp tight without throwing your guitar out of tune. The Wingo Quick Change Capo does all this and more. Made from a sturdy metal alloy and covered in all the right places with silicone protectors, the Wingo Quick Change is a spring-loaded capo that gives you perfect pressure every time. Designed with an ergonomic shape, it is easy to clamp whether you’re right or left-handed. It is also perfect for both electric and acoustic guitars, as well as most other stringed instruments.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Cool wood-style finish
- Available in multiple styles
Cons:
- Not really made out of wood
Tanmus 3-In-1 Capo
Fretboard functionality
Is there anything this capo can’t do? The Tanmus 3-In-1 Capo is constructed from a strong metal alloy and weighs little more than two ounces. The resilient steel spring ensures a tight clamp, and the wide top bar makes it a great choice for guitars with wider necks. But perhaps the two coolest, most unexpected features are the peg puller and pick holder. Built into the bottom of the hand clamp is a small hook that pulls out your string pegs, while the top of the capo has a small, built-in clamp that can hold an extra pick in place.
Pros:
- Super affordable
- Silicone protectors cushion the guitar’s neck
- Available in several different colors to best match your guitar
Cons:
- Spring is not adjustable
- Not designed for classical guitars
Kyser Quick-Change Capo
Let the strings sing
If you play acoustic guitar, you may have already heard about the Kyser Quick-Change Capo. Featuring the industry-standard design for acoustic guitars, the Kyser assures fast changes and high-tension clamping. By placing the durable, aluminum-alloy spring and tension rod closer to the handle, the mechanism basically lasts forever. There is basically no way to go wrong with this one, which is why it’s used by acoustic players worldwide.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Used by professionals
- Available in a wide range of colors
Cons:
- It may not be long enough for some classical guitars
Shubb S1 Stainless Steel Guitar Capo
You can't kill the metal
The Shubb S1 Stainless Steel Guitar Capo sets the standard for steel-string guitars. With its smooth-clamping action, rounded arm, and easy-tension adjustment, it is perfect for those high-tension steel strings. And even if you need to crank up the tension, the pressure is distributed evenly to maintain consistent intonation. Best of all, it’s small and unobtrusive, so it doesn’t look like you have some massive clamp hanging off your gorgeous vintage Les Paul.
Pros:
- Comes in several different guitar designs
- Corrosion-proof
- The upgraded roller-design resists wear
Cons:
- May require adjustment with each use
Wingo Wide Guitar Capo
Wide necks need wide capos
As you’ve probably noticed by now, classical guitar players face a bit of a problem when it comes to capos. With higher action and wider fretboards, most capos don’t function correctly on classical guitars. The folks at Wingo recognized this and developed the Wingo Wide Guitar Capo. It’s actually a double-sided capo, with a flat-edge arm on one side for classical players and a rounded arm for other styles of acoustic guitar. Both arms are covered with silicone to ensure a tight grip on the strings without damaging the neck on the other side. A micrometer tension knob on the back allows you to dial-in just the right amount of tension for your fretboard, making the Wingo Wide Guitar Capo the perfect solution for classical players.
Pros:
- Available in several different colors
- Constructed out of a lightweight-yet-strong zinc alloy
Cons:
- Not for quick-release situations
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using a capo damage my guitar’s neck?
It’s probably nothing to worry about. If you need a tighter-than-usual capo, make sure the rubber or silicone cover on the bottom part of the clamp has a little give to it. This will prevent dents in your guitar neck. If you play a classical or Flamenco guitar, the action is set particularly high, so you may want to consider a specialty capo for those guitars.
Every time I use a capo, my guitar goes out of tune. What’s the problem?
There may be a few problems. First of all, it may be the placement of your capo on the fretboard. If you’re too far from the fret, the capo could create intonation problems which will make the guitar sound out of tune. You’ll have to adjust the capo on the fretboard until you find that “sweet spot” where the intonation is fine. The other problem could be that your capo is too tight. Loosen the clamp on your capo until the tuning problem subsides.
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