Whether you’re a beginner hoping to make starting out a little easier or a seasoned player who wants to explore alternate tunings and sounds, a partial capo—like the 10 examples here—can open up a new world of possibilities.
SPIDER CAPO
Spider Capo Std.This universal partial capo lets players capo each string individually, which allows for the exploration of new tunings, keys, textures, and harmonies.
$29 street
spidercapo.com
G7TH
Newport Partial #3This cut capo clamps three strings for a variety of different tunings and features a fine-tuning tension-adjustment screw for dramatically reducing common tuning and sustain issues.
$21
g7th.com
KYSER
Short-CutWhether used alone or in combination with a standard capo, the Short-Cut was designed to make simple chord progressions even easier and alternate tunings reachable without retuning.$17 street
kysermusical.com
SHUBB
C8BBy skipping the 6th string and clamping the other five, emulating drop-D tuning is a breeze with this lightweight brass capo that features over-center clamping action.
$25 street
shubb.com
WEASELTRAP RECORDS
Harmonic CapoIdeal for use with open tunings, this capo lightly touches the strings to create harmonics (instead of clamping the strings), which allows fretted notes to be played above or below the capo.
$34 street
weaseltrap.com
LIBERTY GUITAR
Flip Model 43This easy to adjust and operate capo is reversible, which allows it to function as a 3-string or 4-string partial capo, depending on the chosen tuning/configuration.
$24 street
libertyguitar.com
WOODIES
G-Band IIThese low-profile capos grab the outer two strings (top or bottom) of a standard steel-string guitar and work up to the 7th fret.
$12 street
woodieshanger.com
PITCH-KEY
PK-01While not technically a capo, this device—which installs behind the nut—enables a player to set up two different pitches for a particular string, and allows quick switching between the two.
$33 street
pitch-key.com
CAPO CLIPS
E/A/D Capo ClipThis device works with most any spring-loaded capo to create a partial capo that provides open-E tuning without retuning. Other key configurations are available.
$10 street
capoclips.com
PLANET WAVES BY D’ADDARIO
NS Drop Tune CapoDesigned for drop-tuning use, this capo’s micrometer-adjustment mechanism allows players to dial in the exact tension needed for clear, ringing notes without excessive force on the neck.
$15 street
daddario.com
Capo shoppers must sometimes choose between ease of use and adjustability, but the NS Artist offers both. You can operate it one-handed and clamp it to the headstock when not in use, but the clamping angle is more straight-down than on other trigger-style models, and you can tailor the tension via a spring-adjustment dial without removing the capo.
Properly placed and adjusted, it provides even (but not excessive) tension across all strings. I barely needed to touch the tuners when I positioned the NS Artist at the 1st or 4th fret. Icing on the cake: an onboard pick holder and a mount for an optional NS tuner.
Test Gear: 2005 Larrivee parlor, 1974 Washburn dreadnought
Ratings
Pros:
One-hand operation. Even, adjustable pressure across all strings.
Cons:
None—and it costs just a couple of bucks more than a basic trigger-style model.
Street:
$16
Company
planetwaves.com
Tones:
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