Capos are indispensable to a folk-rock nerd like me. More than a means of accommodating quick key changes, capos are invaluable creative and writing tools—enabling me to explore the possibilities of alternate chord voices, overdub harmonizing rhythm parts fast in the studio, or turn a dull first-position chord progression into something more lively.
Capos don’t do these things equally well. I love good trigger capos for the speed with which you can use them on stage. But they don’t always maintain a uniform grip across the strings.
Dunlop’s new Pivot Capo is a refined screw tension capo. It doesn’t eliminate every challenge associated with the type: Only the most daringly dexterous will attempt a one-hand change. But string grip and intonation are perceptibly improved—particularly on heavy 6th strings, the bane of most every capo I know. The smooth, accurate screw action makes it easy to make precise adjustments to compensate for tall or jumbo frets, which can create intonation problems for capos without variable tension. It also handles 7.25" to 12" fretboard radii equally well. Even more impressively, it yielded completely respectable (if not totally accurate) results on a Fender Electric XII at the 7th fret without attempting a retune. At 29 bucks a pop, you’ll want to take care not to lose yours. But I may have found my new go-to string squeezer.
Test Gear: Rickenbacker 330, Gibson J-45, Fender Telecaster Deluxe, Fender Electric XII, Fender Jazzmaster
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