The Steel Guitar Forum

Who makes the best capo for the dobro out there? Hopefully something that's quick to put on and off! I seen one on a Martin Gross video and he just snapped it on there quick and worked like a charm. It snapped over the top of the neck and not under if anybody may know.

Frank, Martin Gross makes those capos. Here's the link:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... d7f5725748

Another good choice is the Bradley.

http://redlineresophonics.com/store

(Scroll down)

Dave

I like the Beard, it's easy to put on and take off and it doesn't get in the way of your bar hand. I also use it on my lapsteel!...JH in Va.

Hi Frank,

unlike the standard Free-Swinging Capos, my Capo rests securely on the neck, just like the nut. Which means absolutely no capo movement while playing, a major consideration for meaty pulls and hammer-ons. Another advantage is that all the String Vibration is directed entirely into the neck. The result is an unmistakable overall improvement in tone and sustain in comparison to the standard capo.

When attaching the Capo there's no need to fiddle around with the right positioning, just slide it up flush to the desired fret and clamp it down.

The capo is made of brass and all hand manufactured. I charge € 50.- plus € 15.- shipping costs. When I finished the capo I ship it to your place. If you like the capo and decide to keep it you pay me via PayPal on my web site. Otherwise you send it back and there will be no charge.

cheers
Martin

I've never been a fan of the "floating mass" approach to dobro capos. I love my old Shubb, but they don't fit every guitar. I'll have to check out Martin's design. If he's making them custom, then they it can be tailored to a particular guitar's neck shape and string height. I'll bet they're great.

Here is a picture. Notice the possibility to adjust the capo on both sides of the climbing bar.

I've tried the Beard, Scheerhorn, Flux, Shubb, a few others and the Bradley. To my ears the Bradley does less harm to tone than the others. The Shubb did not fit well on my reso's. I'd give the Scheerhorn a second, but the Bradley is the best capo I've used, regarding tone.

Martin, I'd really like to try one of yours. Is the string height an issue?

Back in the early 80´s I started experimenting with designing and making a custom capo that would perfectly suite my needs and live up to all my demanding expectations. Since then a lot of time and energy has gone into creating what I believe to be the perfect tool. However, to insure the best results there is one structural prerequisite on the instrument itself. That being the distance between the strings and the top of the fretboard, at least up to the 9th fret, which should be fairly exact over the entire distance.

It's a fact that each and every instument varies from one to another. For this reason I decided the best solution would be to Custom make my Capos for each particular instrument to assure the perfect fit and functionality that makes this Capo so unique.


Advantages:

Strong, Solid Tone
Fast and easy to put on and take off
Always in tune when capoed
No capo movement while playing
No damage to the fretbord or neck
More freedom for the pinky finger left hand

Disadvantages:

Larger and heavier than other Capos
Custom made for one particular instrument

I really like the Walworth capo - especially if you (like me) play an older/vintage Dobro/Regal with less string clearance. They are very, very nice capos and very easy to use.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/WRGC1.htm

I have never tried Martins' but I do prefer the Bradley for all the reasons listed above plus it goes on and off quickly a one handed operation.

i wish i could try the gross, bradley, flux and walworth to compare. they all seem like they should be good.

jim konrad came up with a great design recently.

below is what i made for myself years ago. it works but i'm no jerry douglas!








three sides...three heights...slides over fret. quick one hand operation