Are you a bass guitar player? Do you have a capo in your bass guitar accessories yet? If you haven’t, we will tell you why you need one. But first things first, what is a bass capo? A capo is a small bass guitar accessory which you attach across the strings of the guitar so as to prevent the strings in a fret thereby raising the pitch of your guitar.
If you get the best capos for bass guitar, there are several merits to it. The following are some of the benefits that you will get when you are using a bass guitar capo:
- Ideal for starters – a newbie, will often find it difficult to fret the first notes. To help you fret the first keys, a capo can be used on a down bass tune you that you can play the song in various notes but still sound the same. You can play any genre of music with a capo, and the notes will always be sounding the same.
- Change tunes onstage faster during a live performance – the capos will help you tune your guitar up a semi note depending on where you place. For instance, if you put it on the first fret, it will up the semi note by one. Therefore, by changing the position of the capos on the fret, you can either up or down tune a note on your guitar.
- Removes the buzzy ringing sound from your guitar – whenever you pluck any guitar string, it will ring. This is irrespective of the guitar type. As a bass guitar player, if you wish to enrich your guitar sound, then you should use a capo to eliminate the ringing noise as you play.
How to buy the best capos for bass guitar?
Before you spend your hard-earned money on any bass capos, you need to know what to look for in a capo. In this section, we bring you some of the salient features of the best capos.
Capos are available in three main kinds, i.e. strap-on, screw-on, and the clamp. The strap-on capos are made from elastic straps that wrap around the strings, thus creating a bar. However, they are not very durable.
The screw-on capo is a type of capo that you tighten with screws to the fret of the guitar. Once fixed in a position, you cannot move them without loosening the screws.
The clamp capos are designed with springs which allows you to clamp it to the fingerboard of your guitar. They are the most user-friendly capos and the most popular with most bass guitarists.
– Price
Another crucial factor to consider is the price of the capos you want to buy. Generally speaking, the capos are not very expensive. However, there are those on the high-end. The cost of the capos is determined by the material used to make it. Ensure that the one you buy is within your budget limit.
– Make
The build of the capos is vital. There are some capos that are designed to last for a long time, and there are those that will stretch after a few days of use. For instance, the screw-on capos are known for their sturdy build, and they last for a lifetime.
Therefore, when buying bass capos, ensure that it is flexible enough yet with a sturdy build. A well-built capo will serve you for a long time without going back t the market any time soon.
– Working mechanism
Another essential factor to consider before purchasing the bass capos is the mechanism. This will be determined by your playing style. A capo can either be finely tuned or fast. A fast capo is one that you can put on and remove quickly on the fret. A fine-tuned capos, on the other hand, allows you to fine-tune your guitar so that no distortion is produced when playing the guitar.
– Profile
You need to take into consideration the profile of the capo you want to buy. Depending on where you will place it, some capos might be easier to use than others. For example, a bass capos with a screw can get in your way as you move your hand. The profile that you choose is the one that works well with you.
“Top 5 Best Bass Guitar Capos“
The following is a list of our top 5 best bass capos available in the market in 2020. Read on to find which one best suits your playing style:
1. Nordic Essentials Deluxe
Are you a professional bass guitarist? Then you need a capo for professionals. The Nordic Essentials Deluxe is a professional bass capo. It is made with metal which makes it long lasting. Besides that, they are available in five different color shades to choose from.
The available colors of the Nordic Essentials Deluxe include metallic black, matte coffee, metallic bronze, metallic gold and matte silver. You can choose a color that will complement your guitar color.
Besides that, the Nordic Essentials Deluxe can be used for both acoustic and electric bass guitars. It can also be used on other guitars such as banjos, ukuleles, and mandolins. Therefore, if you have more than one guitar, you can use this capo on any guitar type that is mentioned above.
Nordic Essentials Deluxe is user-friendy. It is easy to set it on, and it quickly releases when you want to remove it.
What’s more, this capo is made from high quality material which ensures it will serve you for a very long time. It is made from premium quality zinc.
Most importantly, the Nordic Essentials Deluxe comes with a lifetime warranty. Besides that, it comes with a carry pouch which doubles up as the storage bag. The Nordic Essentials Deluxe being a small object, it is easy to misplace it hence the necessity of the pouch.
Also, the Nordic Essentials Deluxe is very comfortable to use. When you purchase it, you will enjoy playing your guitar and getting the best sounds you can imagine.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Comes with a carry pouch
- Durable
- User-friendly
- Can be used on various guitars types
- Available in five different colors to choose from
- Can be used on both electric and acoustic guitars
- Affordable
Cons
- None to note
2. SpiderCapo XXL Capo
Are you looking for a high-end capo? The SpiderCapo XXL Capo is the best for that category. It is expensive for all the best reasons.
The SpiderCapo XXL Capo is a crew-on type of capo, and it is ideal for use on the 6-string bass guitar. Moreover, they are available in various models so you will choose the SpiderCapo XXL Capo depending on your level of expertise. There are those that are meant for professionals and starters.
It is designed with a spider leg hence the name. It can stretch to wrap around even an 8-stringed guitar. Apart from that, it can also attach well around a 4-stringed guitar. Therefore, no matter what size of guitar you have, you can still use the SpiderCapo XXL Capo.
Another outstanding thing about the SpiderCapo XXL Capo is its durability. So although it is expensive, you will not buy another capo for the rest of your life.
Pros
- Durable
- Highly flexible
- Available in different models
- Sleek design
Cons
- Costly
3. StarHousing Guitar Capo
Another high-quality bass capo in our list is the StarHousing Guitar Capo. This capo is meant to be used on all stringed guitars including the bass guitar.
It is a clamp type of capo. The StarHousing Guitar Capo has stiff springs which help to hold all the strings tightly. The uniform holding of the strings ensures that the tuning of the guitar is not affected.
Apart from that, the StarHousing Guitar Capo will prevent the guitar strings from producing any buzzing sounds. Equally important, it does not mute the strings, which ensures that only high-quality and clear sound is produced.
What’s more, the StarHousing Guitar Capo is user-friendly. It does not have complicated adjustments to make when you want to use. You simply squeeze it to open when you want to put it on the guitar, and you press it to release when you want to take it off.
Moreover, you can easily and quickly move the StarHousing Guitar Capo from one fret to another. This helps you to change the tune quickly even when you are playing your guitar during a live performance.
Most importantly, the StarHousing Guitar Capo is long lasting. It is made from a high-quality material which will ensure that you do not go back to the market any time some.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting
- Compatible with all stringed instruments
- Holds the strings uniformly
- Does not mute the strings
- Removes buzzing sound from strings
Cons
- None to note
4. Dunlop 83CB Acoustic
Dunlop is among the best selling bass capos in the market today. The Dunlop 83CB Acousticcomes in five different color shades to choose from. The primary colors include nickel, black, maple pattern, smoked chrome, and gold. You can choose a color that complements your guitar.
That is not all; the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic is available at very affordable prices. Therefore, you will not break a bank for you to have it.
In terms of construction, the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic is built to last. In addition to that, it is versatile in its use. You can use on a 6-stringed guitar, but also you can use it on a 12-stringed guitar. It is very rare to find a bass capo that is as versatile as the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic.
It is available in the clamp type. The spring is made of premium-quality material which ensures that the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic will serve you for a long time.
What’s more, the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic comes with an ergonomic shape. This allows you to place either between the frets or on the padded handle. Moreover, it is very comfortable wherever you will put it, and it will not hinder your hand movement.
In addition to that, the Dunlop 83CB Acoustic is lightweight so you will not be uncomfortable while using it. In terms of design, it comes in a sleek design which makes it stand out from the crowd.
Pros
- Durable
- Available in various color shades
- Padded for comfort
- Versatile in its use
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- None to note
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5. Kyser KG6B
The Kyser KG6B comes in a very attractive design which makes it stand out from the rest. Also, it is compact and lightweight, which makes it a number one choice for most bass guitarists.
Apart from that, the Kyser KG6B is available in 11 various color shades to select from. This makes it very versatile to complement your guitar theme.
Another selling point of the Kyser KG6B is its durability. It is made premium quality material which ensures that it will serve you for a long time without going to the shop again.
What’s more, the Kyser KG6B is user-friendly. It is very flexible, which makes it easy to put on the fret or to take it off. Also, once it grips on the strings, it does not move so you can tune the strings well.
The firm grip of the Kyser KG6B helps to prevent the strings from producing the buzz sound while playing. If you like changing the tune during a live performance, the Kyser KG6B is the best companion for that.
Another thing about the Kyser KG6B is that it is very comfortable when placed on the fret. It does not prevent the free movement of your hand while playing.
If you are looking for a bass capo that will guarantee a stress-free bass guitar playing, then you should buy the Kyser KG6B. The price is also affordable so it will not leave a dent in your pocket.
Pros
- Available in 11 different colors
- Designed to last
- Prevents buzz sound production
- Easy to use
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Appropriately priced
- Attractive design
- Flexible and grips the strings firmly
Cons
- None to note
Frequently asked questions:
– Which are the best capos for acoustic guitars?
The best capo is one that meets your playing style needs. Also, it should be comfortable, lightweight, versatile and long-lasting. Most importantly, the best bass capo depends on you.
– Can you use a guitar capo on the ukulele?
We answer, yes! You can use a guitar capo on the ukulele. However, you need to check which capo can be used on the ukulele because not all capos are designed to be used on the ukulele. For instance, in our list, we have highlighted the Nordic Essentials Deluxe as one of the capos that can be used on the ukulele. Besides the ukulele, capos can also be used on other stringed instruments such as the banjos, mandolins, fork guitars among other stringed instruments.
– What are the types of capos?
Capos are available in various types. And each of the capos is designed for specific sound production. Some of the most common capos types include the following:
- Clamp-on capo
- Slider capo
- Spider capo
- Screw-on capo
If you have a stringed instrument, you will find a capo that is designed for your instrument’s use. The type that you will buy will be determined by the instrument you have and the kind of sound you would like to produce.
Conclusion
Choosing the best capos for bass guitar from the numerous products available on the market can be a difficult task. That is where we come in handy. We have done the tricky part and brought some of the best capos for bass in the market in 2020. We’ve listed some of the most versatile products which you can try.
We would like to recommend the “Nordic Essentials Deluxe” because of its versatility in use. Also, it is available in a wide range of colors to choose from, is user-friendly, comes with a user manual and a carry bag. Most importantly, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
No matter which one you decide to buy, it is our sincere hope that we have been of help to make you decide one the best capos for bass guitar in the end. Keep creating wonderful music – the world needs it 🙂