we are back with another capo review. This time round, we are really excited about this totally radical and new capo; the six-legged Spider-Capo.
Yes, arachnids usually have eight-legs, but this little here fellow gave up two for the sake of the guitar. That is the spirit.
The Spider-Capo caught our attention at NAMM '09 and we were so impressed that we decided to bring it back to Singapore.
I am sure you would just as impressed with it as we are. The guys in the shop just cannot get their hands off the demo-set.
OVERVIEW:
What makes the Spider-Capo different and so innovative is its ability to capo individual strings.
The six 'legs' can be adjusted individually, meaning you can choose exactly which string(s) you want depressed.
This is a far departure from the standard capos or even partial capos.
Most partial capos can do what the Spider-capo can do only to a limited extent. In the sense that the strings depressed have to be sequential, such as "333000", etc.
The Spider-Capo allows configurations that are previously impossible on other capos such as "030303" or "300330", so on and so forth. All these without having to touch the tuner-heads at all.
If you want something even more insane, you can always buy two or more Spider-Capos, and have one on each fret of your choice and get something like "577555", etc.
The whole idea is that the Spider-Capo opens up a whole new dimension to tunings with its versatility and innovative design.
Here is a video on how the Spider-Capo works:
What makes the Spider-Capo different and so innovative is its ability to capo individual strings.
The six 'legs' can be adjusted individually, meaning you can choose exactly which string(s) you want depressed.
This is a far departure from the standard capos or even partial capos.
Most partial capos can do what the Spider-capo can do only to a limited extent. In the sense that the strings depressed have to be sequential, such as "333000", etc.
The Spider-Capo allows configurations that are previously impossible on other capos such as "030303" or "300330", so on and so forth. All these without having to touch the tuner-heads at all.
If you want something even more insane, you can always buy two or more Spider-Capos, and have one on each fret of your choice and get something like "577555", etc.
The whole idea is that the Spider-Capo opens up a whole new dimension to tunings with its versatility and innovative design.
Here is a video on how the Spider-Capo works:
CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS:
I have the Spider-Capo in my hands now and I must say it is built very well. Workmanship is great, all moving parts twist, slide and turn with a smooth solidness.
The main-bulk of the Spider-Capo is made of some sort of hard-plastic, the screw and claws are made of stainless steel, on the claws itself where it comes into contact with your guitar, there is nice thick pad of genuine ox-leather, a nice luxurious touch.
All in good, good and solid construction, nothing that is potentially worrying.
I have the Spider-Capo in my hands now and I must say it is built very well. Workmanship is great, all moving parts twist, slide and turn with a smooth solidness.
The main-bulk of the Spider-Capo is made of some sort of hard-plastic, the screw and claws are made of stainless steel, on the claws itself where it comes into contact with your guitar, there is nice thick pad of genuine ox-leather, a nice luxurious touch.
All in good, good and solid construction, nothing that is potentially worrying.
USAGE ANALYSIS:
The Spider-Capo is not spring-loaded nor does it have the self-clamping mechanism of the Shubb Capos.
You need to manually fiddle with the screw; positioning it where you want it on the neck and tighten the screw to clamp the capo down tight onto the neck. Changing positions requires the same methodology, unscrew, re-position and tighten. This might prove to be a hindrance to those who need quick changes and switchings of the capo.
Upon the first usage of the Spider-Capo, you have to position the individual legs above the strings, and although it sounds daunting, it actually does not take more than a mintue. And you do not have to repeat this step unless you are moving way down the neck or onto another guitar where the string-spacings might differ.
When in position, you simply turn the 'legs' down to clamp onto the desired strings.
As I usually do when trying capos, I will check if the said capo would cause my tuning to go off. I am glad to report that after extended usage of the Spider-Capo, it does not pull my string out of tune.
When capo-ed, all strings ring out cleanly and correctly, i,e, in tune. No problems whatsoever encountered.
The Spider-Capo is not spring-loaded nor does it have the self-clamping mechanism of the Shubb Capos.
You need to manually fiddle with the screw; positioning it where you want it on the neck and tighten the screw to clamp the capo down tight onto the neck. Changing positions requires the same methodology, unscrew, re-position and tighten. This might prove to be a hindrance to those who need quick changes and switchings of the capo.
Upon the first usage of the Spider-Capo, you have to position the individual legs above the strings, and although it sounds daunting, it actually does not take more than a mintue. And you do not have to repeat this step unless you are moving way down the neck or onto another guitar where the string-spacings might differ.
When in position, you simply turn the 'legs' down to clamp onto the desired strings.
As I usually do when trying capos, I will check if the said capo would cause my tuning to go off. I am glad to report that after extended usage of the Spider-Capo, it does not pull my string out of tune.
When capo-ed, all strings ring out cleanly and correctly, i,e, in tune. No problems whatsoever encountered.
SUMMARY:
The only foreseeable gripe that anyone might have with the Spider-Capo is the ease of re-positioning.
The screw mechanism makes lightning quick re-positioning of the capo near impossible.
However, that is not something I would worry about excessively because for quick-changes, I can easily rely on my regular Shubb Capo.
I would buy a Spider-Capo for what it offers and does best, and that is the sheer versatility and flexibility it offers with regards to tuning possibilities. It does what it says it does superbly well, and that in itself is more than enough for me.
So if you are looking for something to spice up your playing, or have always wanted to try out some new and exotic tunings without the hassle of re-tuning, then the Spider-Capo would prove to be a very worthy investment for it would open up many new possibilities in your guitar playing.
The only foreseeable gripe that anyone might have with the Spider-Capo is the ease of re-positioning.
The screw mechanism makes lightning quick re-positioning of the capo near impossible.
However, that is not something I would worry about excessively because for quick-changes, I can easily rely on my regular Shubb Capo.
I would buy a Spider-Capo for what it offers and does best, and that is the sheer versatility and flexibility it offers with regards to tuning possibilities. It does what it says it does superbly well, and that in itself is more than enough for me.
So if you are looking for something to spice up your playing, or have always wanted to try out some new and exotic tunings without the hassle of re-tuning, then the Spider-Capo would prove to be a very worthy investment for it would open up many new possibilities in your guitar playing.
regards,
Phil
No comments:
Post a Comment