The BEST square neck capo EVER!

[Michael Messer]

Today I received the best capo for square neck guitar that has ever been made, and I have tried them all.

Charlie's Slide Pro Capo is handbuilt by Charles McClary in Magnolia Springs and it is just superb.

Capos for square neck guitars have always been a problem, they are either easy-ish to fit and have a negative affect on the tone, or they sound okay and are difficult and slow to fit onto the guitar. Not so with Charlie's capo, it is so easy to fit and the tone is just superb. I can fit it with my left hand while holding my bar/steel/slide or whatever you want to call it.

Oh and just to be clear - I paid full price, so this is not an exchange of a capo for some advertising. Charlie doesn't really need any help as almost every Dobro and lap steel player around are using this tool. I am just a bit late to the party.

Great service too - I ordered it on the 11th January and it arrived this morning. Five days from door to door across the pond.



charliescapo.com



You do need a 5 to 6mm clearance for it to fit on your guitar. If you do have low strings Charlie will send you some thinner tubing to go under the strings.

It cost me £112.00 GBP to buy and import, but there were no import taxes, duty or handling fees, so it's not too costly. Get one!









Shine On
Michael

[leeophonic]

I would like to see one in the flesh as the photo makes it look a size, I have an original Leno and hardly ever capo but a professional on the road would need all the advantages so lets feel the width when I get the chance.

Regards Lee

[Michael Messer]

Jan 16, 2024 19:33:38 GMT leeophonic said:

I would like to see one in the flesh as the photo makes it look a size, I have an original Leno and hardly ever capo but a professional on the road would need all the advantages so lets feel the width when I get the chance.

Regards Lee

Lee, it blows all other square neck capos away.

The Leno is not anything like as good. A capo on a square neck guitar that is floating above the fretboard needs bulk to keep the tone and sustain as good as if it was coming from a bone nut, and this does. It is also not in your way when playing, it's fine.

Both types of Shubb (Wave and whatever the other is called), Beard, Leno, GM, Sheerhorn, Walworth.... None of them are as good.

I'm not exaggerating or trying to promote Charlie's product, it really is that good.

Shine On
Michael

[delab]

I'd be interested to see the underside of the capo as from what I can see it appears flat.  If that is the case when the capo is 'closed' the strings are seated against that flat surface unlike the Beard Wave capo which has a relatively thin horizontal lip which the strings are trapped against.



Another observation is that capo looks pretty bulky such that access to bar at the first fret, and dampen behind the bar, could be a little tricky.  Again, the Beard wave has chamfered sides offering at least easier access.




I'm keen to see/ try one in the flesh as, for me at least, it's all about how good it sounds and to read it's the BEST ever I'm intrigued....

[nowthen]

I got one (for Christmas) a couple of years ago and although Im no expert I don't think there's anything that could do the job better. They're easy to use and incredibly well made, solid and quick to fit and remove.

[Michael Messer]

Now then.... I didn't know you have one. You kept that quiet!

I think I need to order a spare one to keep in a drawer. After a week of using it, I can't imagine not having one.

Shine On
Michael

[nowthen]

I thought I'd mentioned it, I'm not usually one for keeping things to myself !

[Michael Messer]

Jan 21, 2024 14:12:28 GMT nowthen said:

I thought I'd mentioned it, I'm not usually one for keeping things to myself !

Aye....

Shine On
Michael

[delab]

I gave in and ordered one..... really keen to hear how it sounds...

[Michael Messer]

michaelmesser.proboards.com/thread/14072/charlies-slide-capo-never-used

Shine On
Michael

[hawgwash]

Ahh 😎 I just ordered one thanks ! Never had one I could use on Weisennborn Bear Creeks I have just the beard floating square neck capo - works okay this looks heavier - looks functional .. great forum !

[delab]

Michael is quite right, this is the best sounding capo I’ve used. The principal is the same as the Beard Wave capo however this particular capo has way more mass which I guess is responsible for the sustain. I cannot differentiate between capo on the 3rd fret played open and a Scheerhorn bar played at the sam fret. The tone and sustain, I would say, is identical.

The only issue with this capo is the size and geometry makes playing at the first fret tricky, for me at least. The Beard Wave and others, to varying degrees, are quite a bit easier.

Overall I’m delighted so thank you Michael for pointing this out.

[Michael Messer]

I am pleased you are happy with your new capo. I have got used to using it and can't find a fault with it. On stage it is amazing, I can fit it one-handed while holding the steel in the same hand (I don't use Dobro bars, I use a Hawaiian bullet shaped steel). I don't have a problem with playing at the first fret. I'll post a video on here of me playing a few days ago.

I also find that you don't need to make it as tight as other capos, so the guitar does not need tuning when it's fitted.

I bought another one last week, so I have a spare.

Here you go... just a phone video from an audience member, but you can hear the Dobro and how clear it sounds and although you can't see the capo in the video, I am using it on the 2nd fret. . It is my new Fine Resophonic Dobro with a first generation McIntyre pickup going through a Fishman Platinum Pro into the house PA.



Shine On
Michael.