Worn Capo-Repair?

Subject: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 11:53 AM

I've a Jim Dunlop one handed capo which lately has developed grooves caused by wear in the rubber, & these cause the strings to sound out of tune or rattle.

Is it possible to repair the capo & if so are there replacement rubbers available?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:15 PM

I generally use hydraulic hose of the appropriate diameter, cut to length and slipped over the capo. Usually fits snug enough not to require glue. Shubb will sell you rubber for their capos and it can be adapted to others with judicious use of a sharp knife.

I think we've discussed this here before. A search might reveal more.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:16 PM

Why not just buy a new one?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:22 PM

Because Clinton, fixing things is an honourable way of preserving, reusing, recycling, and economizing. Besides, maybe there are outside reasons, like for me, distance from a store, ready and enough cash, etc. If the rest of the item is okay, why not fix?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:26 PM

I bet you can get the rubbers (Behave!!). Certainly can for Shubbs, cost about a quid each (a dollar and a half if you're in the US?)

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:30 PM

"an honourable way of preserving, reusing, recycling, and economizing"

Knock yerself out man.... I'd just go buy a new on for the 10 bucks it'd cost me...

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:38 PM

The cost of repair should not be greater than the present cost of the broken item. Your time is worth something. If you spend more than an hour doing research and then the job plus the materials to fix this thing you have spent enough to buy a new one plus a spare.

Don

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Fortunato
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:45 PM

...reminds me of the story of the Regiment of Royal Scots Fusiliers whose regiment lambskin condom became torn and tattered. The boys were polled by the Sgt at Arms upon the question of repair or replacement. The Sgt returned to the captain to report:

"The Regiment voted to have it repaired."

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:47 PM

Clinton

Could you post a couple over the pond, those jobbies cost over 30 dollare over here

Cheers

Raggy

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:50 PM

Really!?!?!?!

Yikes!

I suspect even by the time I went and got 'em and shipped 'em to ya they'd still be cheaper eh

In all honestly I can check the price on 'em and shipping and such if you really wanna explore that option...

What about eBay?!?!?!

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 01:09 PM

Not worth fixing ... probably cause more damage in try to rig that Dunlop ... anyway, Dunlops (I feel) are inferior capos, been there before with them ... Go out and buy a shubb they clamp better and don't seem to develop those excessive grooves.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 01:17 PM

For heaven's sake ... 'distance'?? Jeeezuz the next time you go into town to buy groceries or booze take the xtra time and drop into your the local music store ... or get away from the Mudcat for a few minutes, google capos and buy one on line ... as to the expense, if you take your guitar playing somewhat seriously and treat it like a craft, you should invest in the best tools for the trade. A half decent capo like a Shubb costs a bit more than a Dunlop, but it is well worth the spending in the long run.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: LesB
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 01:41 PM

Why not treat yourself to a G7? Capo.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 01:49 PM

My exp. with the G7 is that it's an overpriced POS....

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: open mike
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 02:27 PM

i like the idea of slipping rubber tubing over it..
probably easliy available at hardware store or medical
supply house...i have used latex tubing to cushion and
repair the parts of my guitar stand that cradle the instrument..
also found in pet stores...aquarium tubing...and if the spring
is still good, use it! i find one-handed capos easier than
shubbs, which although they have replaceable rubber, require 2 hands.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 02:39 PM

Don't know what Dunlop is only 10 bucks, the Trigger retails between 27 and 28 bucks according to the local, less 20%. I guess I assumed.

Wow, what's so hard about slipping a piece of whathaveyou over or on the Dunlop? I have stuff around to do the job because...well...I fix stuff for part of my living, and because fixing works whether it's a guitar or a capo or whatever. It's a 2 minute job.

Anyway...Shubb, Golden Gate, Paige, and the like are better (in my opinion) because of their adjustability and good function, (yes, and repairability). Dunlop Triggers are okay and I find them easier to use than the Kyser, but that's me. The G7 I got for Christmas last has already started to weaken in the cam or whatever is inside the thing. I haven't tried to fix it yet. It got used a lot because some of my students tune down and so it got put either on my baritone or on their guitar. It otherwise works good, though CH is right, it's expensive.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: John Hardly
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 02:59 PM

While you're at it, you might buy a few different types of hose/tubing. I would have had trouble believing that the composition of the tubing would make a difference in the sound until I got an Elliot a year ago and noticed that the harder tubing he uses seems to be more effective.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 03:05 PM

John...Good advice. The way I hear it is that the Elliot is the last capo anyone needs. Test drove the Dan Crary capo in the summer. Someone said it was similar to the Elliot, it certainly felt good.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 03:12 PM

I have become a confirmed Dunlop/Victor Capo user. I use the Shubb lever capo on my banjo because it is a flat board banjo. But the worm gear on the Victor allows me to have just enough tension to do the job and not knock the guitar out of tune.

Don

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 03:27 PM

Kyser capos - the only ones I use - will repair or replace for a nominal fee.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 04:08 PM

Another Kyser fan here....

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Brían
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 04:43 PM

I've never regretted spending the exta money for the Shubb Capo. My guitar shop gives me the replacement parts for next to nothing. The Shubb Capo causes less wear to my guitar as well.


Brían

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 05:18 PM

Your correct Brian .... worth the xtra 10 bucks in buying one over a Dunlop. A Shubb will never wear out ... which allows you to spend more time playing your guitar, and not spending useless time, energy, driving all over the place trying to trace down some rubber tubing to fix it with!!

sIx :)

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Brían
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 06:05 PM

...and the bucks for having your fretboard replaced because you are using an inferior capo.

Brían

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 08:51 PM

Kyser's are great capos. Have one in each of 5 different guitar cases, many for a long time. Easy to use and very dependable.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 09:26 PM

wb Martin!

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 10:15 PM

The only negative point regarding a Shubb is that you can't clamp it to the headstock when not in use while playing.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 10:33 PM

I don't find that negative. I want everyone to see the CF Martin logo! I put my Kyser capo in my shirt pocket.

Asthetically speaking, capos on headstocks I do not find too attractive.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:15 AM

The shirt pocket .... I always try to remember to wear a shirt with a pocket when I go to play ... but, ya do forget, then ya leave it on a bench, floor or whatever. I think it was Leadfingers who suggested wearing a vest ... those little pockets are convenient for picks and the Shubb .... in fact I think I'll go out and check the 2nd hand thrift stores to-morrow.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 05:13 AM

Roger McGuinn endorses the G7th Capo.

In his own words "I love the G7th capo!!! What a great design!!!"

Now ask yourselves, who are you going to listen to, Clinton Hammond or Roger McGuinn ?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: John Hardly
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 06:29 AM

"Gillian and I both use Kyser capos -- that way we're both equally out of tune." -David Rawlings

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 07:03 AM

Warning!
I have been told by a music shop salesman of a problem with G7 capos.
the cam gear fails whilst in use, and the capo can only be removed by drilling, wrenching, hitting with blunt instruments etc. WHILST ATTACHED TO ONE'S PRICELESS INSTRUMENT. He did say it wan't common, but it happens.
Richard

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 07:36 AM

My hate against Kysers is the big sticky-out horn thing - ugly and in-the-way. G7ths are great while they work. Shubbs are the Rolls Royce of Capos, infinitely adjustable and seriously strong. Don't waste money on anything else.
S:0)

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 08:09 AM

Don...I thought the Victor capo was gone, thanks for the tip. I'm always up for another capo, even though I seem to come home to the Shubb.

Brian...Fretboard replaced? Anyone who lets the use and damage go that far can't blame the capo.

sIx...In some other thread we discussed gig supplies and kit. Did anyone mention pockets? Great things for capos, picks, slides, etc, and pockets look nice when attached to a vest or pants! Maybe I'll start wearing pants to gigs.

McGuinn vs Hammond...I'll bet the latter gigs more and longer, but doesn't get paid to hawk new and untested products.

Speaking of capos, Steinberger has a new baritone axe with a built in capo.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 08:39 AM

John Hardly .... thanks for that quote from David Rawlings, I luv it !

Mooh ... I find it rather awkward getting the capo out of my jeans pockets when you have a guitar strapped to my mid area, plus pants are rather uncomfortable when your playing ... I'm gonna stick to wearing just my boxers :)

There's this old Scottish guitar player in town here in SJ .... plays mainly jazz on an old 1962 Gibson 335, 12 string at that, plugged inot an 'ol Princeton tube amp ... one of the best barr style players I have ever met ... anyway, he says only cheatin sissies use a capo. (yikes)

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 09:23 AM

Kysers use a spring which ultimately fails, nothing to go wrong with a Shubb except wear and tear.

eric

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 09:43 AM

And light-fingered buggers hanging around behind one at a pub session ...

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 11:48 AM

I find Kysers pull you out of tune after the third fret. Really out of tune after the 5th fret. I've owned two and broken the springs with in 6 months on each.

Dunlop now has the Victor line, You are welcom Mooh, and they are my primary capos. I have several Shubbs which I use as a second choice. Its a close second but second none the less.

Don

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 11:59 AM

I also tried a couple of G7s. Didn't like them at all. Clunky, not easy to use one-handed.
Still swear by the Kyser capo, and they don't make my guitar go out of tune up the neck.
The big sticky-out thing is the lever for opening it one-handed and placing on the neck or headstock of the guitar; it's pretty necessary and it's never gotten in the way of my playing.
Hey, if it's good enough for Segovia and Chet Atkins, it's good enough for me.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:00 PM

"I find Kysers pull you out of tune after the third fret. Really out of tune after the 5th fret."
Get your action and intonation checked then...

" McGuinn vs Hammond..."
Screw him... I have a FRIEND that endorses the G7... I still think they're overpriced garbage...

" I want everyone to see the CF Martin logo"
That way they know your excuse without you having to tell them eh...

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:01 PM

I have a worn-out Fender flatpick, heavy gauge. Is it possible to repair it?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Brían
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:04 PM

What a roaring good discussionn on comaritive qualties of the lowly capo. Will wonders never cease. The dents on the fretboard of my guitar has slowed since i stopped using a capo with an elastic on the back.

Brían

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:15 PM

my pal Belfast Jim broke his Dunlop one hander last week.

Not the spring, but the opening/closing handle-looked like metal fatigue.

Thanks for repair suggestions above, the one about sliding polythene tubing over sounds promising.


Will let y'all kno if it works.


Cheers,

Mr H

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: John Hardly
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 12:53 PM

"I have a worn-out Fender flatpick, heavy gauge. Is it possible to repair it?"

Sure, I do this kind of repair all the time.

Repairing Fender Flatpick:

1. Set the damaged flatpick on a table (don't try to set it on its edge -- it will only make the repair take longer).

2. From a pick supply house or guitar shop, order a similar gauge fender pick.

3. Set the pick of similar gauge atop the damaged pick, being careful to leave at least a small edge of the damaged pick exposed.

4. Using a pair of small, needle-nose pliers, grip the damaged pick.

5. In one swift motion, yank the damaged pick out from under the pick of similar gauge.

6. You should now have an undamaged pick in precisely the same place where you once had a damaged pick.

I hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 01:17 PM

John H,
   That's hilarious!
CB

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 01:26 PM

Happy's friend's Dunlop could be welded, but THERE'S a repair that would cost more than the value of the original, unless of course somebody would do it for free.

Cool Beans...The flatpick repair is easy, as it's usually wear and tear, or operator error. Go buy a Dunlop Ultex. Or John's solution.

Of course the Mr. Fixit in me has me smoothing the rough edges on student picks all the time cause I hate the sound of the edge of the pick abrading the strings. Likely also prolongs the life of the pick, though most get lost long before they're worn out. I wonder how many get swallowed by the number of times I tell kids to take them out of their mouths.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 07:30 PM

McGuinn vs Hammond..."
Screw him... I have a FRIEND that endorses the G7

Good to know you have a friend , Clinton.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 08:00 PM

G7 is clever and pretty, and pleasant to use if yiou aren't in a hurry, but if Seamus Kennedy just find it awkward to use one handed, he must have remarkable hands, because I find it totally impossible.

I've gone back relying on the Kyser, which, as he says, never seems to put the strings out of tune. I've found I can shift it right up the neck in the middle of a set, to change the sound and to give my hands a rest playing different shapes, and everything stays in tune. I don't think you could do that with many other capoes.

(I knew that sooner or later I'd find there was something Martin Gibson and me agreed about...)

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mooh
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 08:48 PM

I've found that the Kyser's effectiveness depends on the depth of the neck, as well as the strength of the spring and the placement of the capo. The deeper the neck the wider the capo has to open, and this seemingly increases the pressure. If this is just imaginary, so be it, but it sure seems to be the way it works on guitars around here. As has been mentioned, good set-up is vital.

Is there someone with a knowledge of springs who would comment? Do they actually increase pressure the wider they're stretched.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 09:14 PM

Hi Mooh,

The end result of all this debate is no one will change their opinion of their favorite peice of equipment. Be it capos or guitars.

You are right as is Clinton. Set up is critical. So are the height of frets, guages of strings, neck profiles, finger board radii. The intonation on my three guitars seems to be right on if my tuners are the least bit accurate.

The Kyser I have works just fine on my Old Guild, but not on my Martin Jumbo or my O-16. These are three different guitars with very different neck shapes. The Martins taper more than does the Guild. The necks are deeper as they go higher. Consequently the capos seem to be tighter on the necks the further up they go. I am convinced this is the reason I have tuning issues with the Kysers on those guitars. I have used rubber bands and a bit of pencil in a serious pitch pinch but that wasn't the best result I could have hoped for.

But the real determining factor that will be outside all debate is what do you prefer. I prefer Dunlop/Victors and Shubb levers because they are small, they are well made and they don't interfer with my surgically messed up left hand. All the others I have used just get in my way.

Personal preference is the real answer to the which is best question.

But are they worth repairing? Who knows?

Don

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 10:31 PM

Don ... good point about the shubbs not interfering with the left hand .. one of the reasons I like the shubb.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:01 AM

Kyser is the king of the gigging capos, IMO. Yep, I clamp it on the headstock when not in use, for convenience. I don't give a f__k if they can't see my guitar's logo. Nothing about the Kyser ever gets in my way when I'm playing... except when it's on the headstock and the stage is crowded and it gouges out the bass player's right eye.

But I use a Shubb in the studio.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:23 AM

You obviously don't play a Martin. Most owners are proud of the fact.

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:28 AM

Surgical Tubing - available most supply stores.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Mr Practical
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:35 AM

who needs capos..


if your guitar necks too long



just saw of the length you dont need

and refit the nut

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: GUEST,Mr Practical
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:53 AM

ooops..
forgot to mention you'll need to leave a little extra wood
at the end
to nail the strings to...

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: number 6
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 01:06 AM

Those nails should also produce some outstanding resonance Mr. Practical.

Thanks for the idea ... now I have a good project to keep me busy over the weekend.

sIx

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 08:09 AM

Capo probs again......sigh.


I'm on my 3rd Jim Dunlop one hand capo & its broke.

Same trouble, the spring snapped.

Any way to fix?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 10:57 AM

Buy a Kyser?

Subject: RE: Worn Capo-Repair?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 11:45 AM

All springs are liable to metal fatigue with constant use [ even Keyser ], get a Shubb, no spring.

Dave H