Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo

Subject: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 31 Jul 11 - 05:17 AM

I'm trying to find out what are the best electronic tuners for 5 string banjo. I also need a new capo. I'm looking for one of the small clip-on tuners that light up and that also have a moving 'needle' display on them that tells you when the note is correct. I'm told to avoid the cheap Chinese tuners as I want one of decent quality.

I also need a capo (for the 4 strings, not the 5th string - I've got one of those). It seems everyone is using the sprung ones that clamp on at the moment, I like the idea and ease of putting these on and off, but some of them look a bit cumbersome to me. Are there any nice neat ones around?

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,Hotenanny
Date: 31 Jul 11 - 05:39 AM

2nd attempt.

A neat unobtrusive capo is the Paige, next to that a Shubb.


Hoot

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 31 Jul 11 - 06:08 AM

Thanks - I'd still like to buy one of the sprung clamp-on type, I just wondered which of these were the most unobtrusive.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 12:06 AM

I must agree with Hootenanny. The spring type capos press the strings right down to the fingerboard and , unless you have very low frets or a tolerant ear, you must adjust the tuning every time you put the capo on. The Shubb or Paige can be tightened just enough to stop the buzzing and the strings shouldn't need tuning.
I hate the looks of capos on the tuning head and I'm too old to wear skin tight pants, so I just slip the Shubb in my pocket when I'm not using it. The Paige will slip behind the nut if your banjo doesn't have a volute (hand stop). Some folks don't mind the capo on the tuning head and I've even seen banjo tuning heads (with beautiful shapes and pearl inlay) with a capo AND a tuner clipped on there.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 12:30 PM

Jane

Jim dunlop does a banjo capo which, if its anything like the mandolin capo I have, is fairly small and lightweight.

The website shows it for £21.95 but you might be able to get it cheaper if you shop around.

Jim Dunlop Banjo Capo

Chris

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 01:40 PM

I use a Shubb capo and an Intellitouch IMT 500 tuner, both of which clip on to the perch-pole when not in use (I play a pretty old open-back). I'm a big fan of the Shubb capo but the tuner is reasonable at best - so I'd also be interested in something better.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: PHJim
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 06:02 PM

Burton, Is the "perch pole" another word for "dowel stick"? In that case, it would be stored out of sight and not on the tuning head.

Chris, The Dulop you've recommended is a spring loaded capo which doesn't allow tightening or loosening and will often put the banjo slightly sharp when it is applied. This is fine if you don't mind adjusting the tuning a bit each time you apply the capo, but I'd recommend a Shubb or Paige or one of the C clamp type capos.
I've never used one and don't know much about them, but a lot of folks on the Banjo Hangout (BHO) seem to like the G7 capos.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: DonMeixner
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 10:49 AM

"I use a Shubb capo and an Intellitouch IMT 500 tuner, both of which clip on to the perch-pole when not in use (I play a pretty old open-back). I'm a big fan of the Shubb capo but the tuner is reasonable at best - so I'd also be interested in something better.

Pete. "

Me too. I'd add Planet Waves, or Victor type capos. Intellitouch is OK and may need to be moved about the head stock to tune some of the strings. I have a Shubb sliding 5th string capo on the old Ode I play.

Don

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 11:08 AM

PHJim - yes, "perch pole" = "dowel stick". It's all stored out of sight.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: redhorse
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 02:06 PM

I use a G7 on my nylon strung banjo: since there is no mechanical leverge, it lets me clamp rally gently. On the other hand, it's rubbish on a mandolin for the same reason.

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 03:04 PM

Snark electronic tuners are accurate and also faster than any other I've tried.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Tuners and capos for 5 string banjo
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 05:42 PM

PHJim

I have a screw up on my 5 string so I know about the problems with spring types. I also have a Shubb type and several JD clamp ons for use with various guitars, mandola and mandolin. But thanks for the info anyway.

The OP did actually say they liked the idea of these (Clamp on type)and was looking for a small fairly lightweight one. Which the JD is. She later says she would still like to buy the sprung clamp on type.

Regards and happy playing

Chris