Capo recommendations please !

[Lfalex v1.1]

I've found that my recently acquired G&L SB-2 Tribute came with such heavy strings (50-110)  that they were impeding my ability to play really swift passages due to their being slow to fret. To reduce the tension, I've changed the tuning to D standard. Fixed. Apart from songs that now require large stretches to hit an E¹ that'd normally just be an open string. 

Solution? Capo on 2nd fret. But I don't own one. Any recommendations,  good people of Basschat?

 

Thanks in advance,  Alex. 

[Waddo Soqable]

I've just used those cheap elastic type capos with the plastic 'bar' that goes across the strings, they seem pretty tight so hold bass strings down fine, certainly when I've done it.

[Dan Dare]

I find my Shubb works on my bass. I've hardly ever used it for that purpose, but it has worked when I've tried it.

[fretmeister]

I've got the Ernie Ball capo that has 2 sides so 2 different radii for different boards.

It's fine.

[PaulThePlug]

For one off type songs etc... Single String Capo...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Banjo-5th-string-capo-Stus-Banjo-Capo-/173814573434?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

or...

 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2519896

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[PaulWarning]

there's probably a very good reason, but my first thought was why not fit lighter gauge strings?

[Lfalex v1.1]

12 minutes ago, PaulWarning said:

there's probably a very good reason, but my first thought was why not fit lighter gauge strings?

A perfectly sensible question!

I have 2 other 4 strings tuned to E Standard, but some songs necessitate the low D and the 50-110 lo-riders sound and feel really good at D standard. But the odd tune crops up that just doesn't play well in that tuning (Message in a Bottle by The Police springs to mind) , I'll just slap the capo on rather than tune back up to EADG.

[ezbass]

There’s the glider capo that Michael Manring has used…

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by ezbass

[Frank Blank]

I use capos quite a lot and subsequently have tried out lots of makes. I finally settled on G7th.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Frank Blank

[Soledad]

G7th P3 is about the best I found for my acoustic, but note it's optimised for acoustic guitar board radius, board width and string diameters.
I have never seen a bass player using a capo and never seen one available.

As Frank says try a G7th... if you must!!

[Frank Blank]

9 minutes ago, Soledad said:

G7th P3 is about the best I found for my acoustic, but note it's optimised for acoustic guitar board radius, board width and string diameters.
I have never seen a bass player using a capo and never seen one available.

As Frank says try a G7th... if you must!!

@Soledadis quite right, very much optimised in the manner described. I have never seen a capo specifically designed for bass, which is why I’ve tried quite a few. I settled on the G7th C31020 Newport Capo. @Lfalex v1.1I was just rummaging through my desk and it turns out I have two of these or some reason, you are welcome to one if you want it?

 

Very early on in my musical endeavours I saw a band and the bass player was using a capo so I never thought anything of using one. I play up around the 12th quite a lot and play a lot of chords, it’s just another tool in the bag for me. In fact, sod it, here’s me using one.

 

 

[Lfalex v1.1]

Thanks @Frank Blank, I'll take you up on that kind offer! I'll shoot you a PM!

 

[Frank Blank]

1 minute ago, Lfalex v1.1 said:

Thanks @Frank Blank, I'll take you up on that kind offer! I'll shoot you a PM!

Cool beans.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Huge thanks to @Frank Blankfor sending me a G7! Have stuck it on the SB2 (in D standard) to make songs that rely heavily on the open E string or use it as a pedal note.

Bingo. Does what it says on the tin!

 

Thanks Frank. This is what BC is all about. 

[Lfalex v1.1]

Also useful for bringing double stops back into reach again! Used it on Nutshell (from Alice in Chains' Unplugged album. The Double stop is at D#, virtually unreachable from the playing position for the rest of the song. Bass in D standard, capo on 1st, and the D# is sitting there waiting..

 

Just what I wanted it for.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Also gives a good visual reference point for where E, A, D & G are (using D standard tuning)

Only slightly strange thing is that the harmonics have all moved. The first harmonic is now at the 14th fret, not the 12th.

 

Otherwise, still a good idea for this particular bass and for me.

[sky]

i have a cheap kyser pro am capo and it seems fine