PRO-GRADE CAPOS

Small and mighty, this essential accessory can unlock a whole new range of sounds

ERNIE BALL AXIS CAPO (£17/BRONZE)

Nobody wants a gigbag full of capos, so Ernie Ball’s recently released Axis capo deals with every model in your guitar rack. The dual radius means buzz-free performance on both flat and curved fretboards and, despite the vice-like grip, it’s specially designed for speedy single-handed adjustments while you keep the rhythm going. Four finishes are available, but bronze is the best, its pleasingly faux-rusty appearance suggesting it’s spent the last half-century on a bluesman’s leaky porch. www.ernieball.co.uk

PAIGE ORIGINAL 6-STRING ACOUSTIC CAPO (£23)

Don’t be put off by the wraparound format of this capo – the Paige is highly rated among discerning acoustic players. Ultra-thin and stored neatly behind the nut when not in use, it couldn’t be easier to move the Paige into position and rely on the direct centre-tension design and tension control, for a tight clamp with no buzzing or sharpened notes. The satin nickel finish should look great under the spotlights, too. A must for acoustic players. www.paigemusical.com

SHUBB S1 DELUXE CAPO (£23)

Shubb has been a capo pioneer since 1980, and the US firm’s Deluxe series – launched over two decades ago – is still hard to beat. The S1 is made in Missouri and assembled in California, and you can feel the quality in its weighty stainless-steel construction, while the roller mechanism works a treat on both steel-string acoustics and electrics. Unlike most ‘crab-claw’ capos, you can also set the tension to suit, finding the perfect sweet spot where both buzz and tuning issues are eliminated. www.shubb.com

KYSER KG6B QUICK-CHANGE CAPO (£18)

Kyser proudly wears its tag as ‘America’s favourite capo’, and it may soon be yours, too. Constructed from strong-yetlightweight aluminium and a rubber lining that won’t damage your guitar finish, the Quick-Change’s no-nonsense operation lets you clamp it and forget about it, safe in the knowledge that you’ll always get on-pitch intonation. The ornate design won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the performance is undeniable. www.kysermusical.com

G7TH PERFORMANCE 2 (£33.95)

Suitable for electric or acoustic models, the Performance 2 stands out from the pack with its squeeze-on, squeeze-off action, which makes for speedy, precise position changes with no deadening of tone. For its second incarnation, the mechanism is smaller and lighter – allowing one-handed changes – but still features stellar materials, including wraparound rubber that won’t scuff or scratch. For a step up in price, the Performance 3 packs in Adaptive Radius Technology, actively adapting to any neck. www.g7th.com

JIM DUNLOP JD-84FB ACOUSTIC TRIGGER CAPO (£11)

While there’s nothing big or clever about Dunlop’s Trigger Capo, there’s a good reason why you’ll see this unit every night on the live circuit. In a world of over-engineering, the JD-84FB simply does the job, gig after gig, with an ergonomic curved-radius shape and padded handle that make for smooth positioning, and a powerful spring-action grip for bright jangle without a hint of buzz. Choose your finish from nickel, black, smoked chrome, maple or gold. www.jimdunlop.com