Lap Steel capo

[Carey Hofer]

I was watching a PBS Bela Fleck concert today on PBS. I noticed Jerry Douglas using a capo on his dobro. Made me think. I have one tune I did in C6th in the key of C. I used some open strings in it. When I switched to using A6th of course I didn't the open strings anymore. Some one is singing so we can't change keys to A. It just doesn't sound the same without the open strings. Has anyone had any experience using a capo on 8 string lap steel? If so, what capo do you recommend?

[Jack Hanson]

Have you considered a second instrument (or a multi-neck console) with separate A6 & C6 tunings?

[Carey Hofer]

Possibly but I thought the capo would be easier for now.

[Stefan Robertson]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZhRJhGeeQ

Here is a ilapsteel/Dobro Capo for 6 strings

[K Maul]

Beard Wave or Charlie’s will fit an 8 string.

[Jack Hanson]

Possibly but I thought the capo would be easier for now.

I've always found it cumbersome changing a capo on the fly in a gigging situation. I have Charlie's unit; excellent quality, but I rarely use it. But I also have a boatload of steels, so it's moot. Easier for me to change instruments on the fly than installing/adjusting a capo.

https://charliescapo.com/

[Peter Jacobs]

I use a capo all the time in live shows. There are some things that just sound better with open strings. I use a Walworth or Leno (some day I may get a Charlie’s) and can be capped up in a few seconds. We plan our set list to accommodate key changes.

[Michael Breid]

Check out youtube for a home made dobro capo. I made one, and they work fairly well. I'll probably make a couple more with different inserts to see what has the best tone. Right now my insert is a small length of 3/16th" brass rod.

[Carey Hofer]

Good suggestions guys. I am kinda partial to Charlie's Capo but I will maybe do a little more research before I decide. $80-100 is a sizeable chunk of change.

[Jeff Highland]

I've wanted a charlies capo for a while, but the shipping to Australia was ridiculous Finally got one 2 weeks ago when visiting my son in Seattle. It is great, easy to use and does not mute the sound at all.

[Ethan Shaw]

I've tried Charlie's on an 8-string, and it worked great, better than anything else I've tried.

[Lee Barber]

Ethan, I was going to recommend the Charlie.
Makes great bars too.

[Dane Carlson]

I have a Hipshot Doubleshot, roller nut, and locking tuners installed on my 6-string Asher Electro Hawaian Jr, so switching between the 2 tunings takes 1.5 seconds.

My current tunings are BDEGBD and GBDGBD, but I could easily find a string set that would handle both C6 and A6 tunings.

I also own the Charlie's capo, which provides a lot of key flexibility for using open strings.

[Brooks Montgomery]

I own both the Charlie's and the Walworth (and also an old Scheerhorn capo). On an electric lapsteel, 6-string, I prefer the Walworth. It is small, light, goes on super quick and easy one-handed & I can clamp it behind the nut when not using it, and I've found that the tone difference is undiscernible from using the Charlie's (because it's on an electric lapsteel solid body--the pickups don't really send any different tone, from open to capo'd). So, as an example, open D tuning capo'd on 2 to make E, it sounds great. Can't tell tonewise that there is a capo. I don't use a capo on my 8-string, but I put the Walworth on my Clinesmith, and it works just fine.

On an acoustic dobro, I definitely prefer the Charlie's. It retains more of the full acoustic guitar tone mo' bedda IMO.


the background guitar is an Iseman Koa Weissy. That fuzzy capo is an old Dunlop. It just so happens that the metal bar fits under the Weissy strings on the fretboard as if it was made for the guitar. Pure dumb luck.

[Mark Evans]

Thread resurrection

A BIG PLUS ONE, thumbs up for Charlie’s Slide Pro capo. I play mostly Weissenborn, but also roll an old Oahu Tonemaster. I did a DIY capo some years back and then sprang for a Martin Gross capo after that. Gross’s capo was built like a tank and sounded pretty good… but it fit beneath the strings. Issues arose when I moved it between different Weissenborns that had varying string heights;Mia would sometimes find myself forcing the capo under strings (ouch).. The capo came with extra stick on pads, but, well I couldn’t change with each instrument.

Despite the cost, I decided to try a Charlie’s Slide Pro and can’t believe the sound. No tone or volume loss at all. Loud and proud. It works great on both types of lap steels - including the Oahu Tonemaster. I feel using a capo opens new approaches to playing the shorter string spaces. I’m a happy camper!

[David Becker]

PM to you, Casey.