Which Dobro Capo?

George King · Post by **George King** » 21 Feb 2007 1:06 pm

What is the best capo to use for six string Dobro?Do the cheap ones work as well as the more expensive ones?Thanks George

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Feb 2007 1:27 pm

I've used a number of them. My two favorites have always been the flux capo and the beard capo. I now use the flux capo exclusively because the beard capo always created a sound that I didn't like and I was never able to get rid of it. I was told it had something to do with adjusting the plastic piping but I was never able to correct it. I didn't like the flux capo becuase I found it difficult to get on and off, but I've learned how to do it pretty easily now.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 1:40 pm

There are a plethora of dobro capo discussions in the archives between the Forum, www.JerryDouglas.com, www.reso-nation.com, and www.resoguit.com.

More about capos than you would probably ever want to know.

The short answer, for me, is the newer Scheerhorn capo (different than the Scheerhorn/Flux mentioned by Bill), and the Bradley capo.

We did an informal capo test at a Rob Ickes dobro clinic in the Bay Area a year ago last December, and those two capos received the most "thumbs up."

The newer Scheerhorn capo is similar in design to the older Scheerhorn/Flux, but has more mass, which seems to result in less "tone death" than the older model.

I have a Beard capo , and I don't think it's that great, and the story is that Jerry Douglas has been playing lately with a prototype new Beard design capo, and dobroists everywhere are anxious to hear more about that.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 1:42 pm

...and no, the cheap ones don't work as well. I would avoid the Shubb capo.

George King · Post by **George King** » 21 Feb 2007 1:44 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.I've been playing pedal steel for several years but just lately started playing dobro so I'm kinda new at this end of it...Geo

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 21 Feb 2007 2:42 pm

For me, This is the best :-

Basil

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Feb 2007 3:26 pm

I have the one that bas shows a picture of. I personaly never use it. First it really requires that there be actual frets that it sits on (at least mine does) and my current dobro only has painted fret markings. Other than that I just found it too clunky and not a particularly great sound. At least that was my experience with it.

I'll have to try the new Scheerhorn capo. I just got one of the stainless steel Scheerhorn steels and it is by far the finest steel I've ever used.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 3:38 pm

The string height also has to be "on the money," and I had a couple of full time pro dobro players tell me that when playing a gig, it can be cumbersome to put on when one needs to be quick-which when you are playing in front of people-means most of the time!

I have talked to a guy that says he uses it for the recording studio, when the quickness aspect doesn't much matter.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Feb 2007 3:45 pm

Beard is the best IMHO.
Simple, quick and easy to use, and it touches only the strings.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 5:21 pm

Doug, a little too much of what I like to call "tone death" from the Beard. You should try a Bradley or a Scheerhorn for comparison some time, but as we all know, you don't just get to pick up dobro accessories at your corner music store.

As I wrote above, Jerry D is testing a prototype re-designed Beard, so Paul Beard and company must figure that there's a better way to build this particular mouse trap

But the one you have pictured is certainly decent, and it is easy to use.

George King · Post by **George King** » 21 Feb 2007 5:28 pm

I see some of the Beard capos on ebay ect. but where do you buy the Scheerhorn capos?

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 5:33 pm

Elderly Instruments in Michigan is a dealer:

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/SRGC1.htm

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 21 Feb 2007 5:40 pm

The Leno. It's easy on and easy off. The J Douglas was too light for me. Also, the one that supposidly fits all resophonic necks - doesn't.

Thanx,
Jim

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Feb 2007 5:46 pm

We didn't have a Leno at our unscientific test with Mr. Ickes, but I have heard good things about the Leno myself.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Feb 2007 7:33 pm

I've found that the problem with Dobro capos is that, either they pull down or push up on the strings, depending on the design. Either way it throws the tuning out. Personally I don't play much on the open strings, so I don't need to change the sounding string length when I change key.

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 22 Feb 2007 7:38 pm

I bought a Sheerhorn squareneck, and though I don't use it much(yet) I like it.

Terry

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 22 Feb 2007 10:38 pm

I have a Beard now, but I had a Leno on loan for several years and I liked it better. Easy on and off and I thought it affected the tone less. JMO. I'm in agreement with Jim Bates.

They were hard to find for awhile, but I believe they are making them again.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 23 Feb 2007 5:52 am

Bill Blacklock · Post by **Bill Blacklock** » 24 Feb 2007 8:36 am

I've used a few different capos and the Leno is to my liking. Good tone, easy to ajust and it is not hard on the strings.

Terry Goodman · Post by **Terry Goodman** » 25 Feb 2007 6:03 am

Found this interesting link in a Google search

http://web.telia.com/~u86505074/capomus ... phonic.htm

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 25 Feb 2007 6:12 pm

Since the weight of the strings holds it in place, all you need is a round piece of bar slightly bigger than the height of the strings above the fingerboard. The bar is placed slightly behind the fret, which compensates for the extra tension put onto the strings by lifting them. The other advantage of having a bar beneath the strings is that you can slide over the capo without having a nut to hit.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 28 Feb 2007 11:12 pm

I agree with Basilh.the one he has the photo of.

Joe Buczek · Post by **Joe Buczek** » 5 Mar 2007 11:41 pm

I have been using a Sheerhorn Flux capo for 7 years now and like it best. I tried/borrowed one that looks like the pictures of the Beard in this thread (don't know if it was a Beard, but I don't think it was), and I didn't like it. The band I play dobro in plays tunes in a number of keys, so switching tunings quickly is important for me.

My only gripe about the Sheerhorn Flux capo is that it seems ridiculously expensive for a capo: I think I paid $40 US for it. But if I lost or broke the one I have, I would almost certainly buy another just like it.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 6 Mar 2007 9:45 am

Yeah Joe, the prices of a lot of these dobro capos does seem a little steep, but consider how many of each model is in existence: Probably very few compared to the more popular "regular" guitar capos, some of which are mass produced.

Even though the squareneck dobro is probably enjoying these days, the highest level of popularity in its existence, since being invented in the 1920's, compared to the number of regular 6-string acoustic guitars being sold-it would seem like it's a drop in the bucket.

Robert Shafer · Post by **Robert Shafer** » 6 Mar 2007 3:54 pm

......and now for something completely different.

Check this one out. eBay # 230099959682. Made on the principal of an engineer's clamp. Each one is hand made by the designer and uses quality materials.

It seems to work well for me.....but then, what do I know?

Oh, by the way, it's British.