Post by RobertW on Aug 26, 2016 9:57:33 GMT -5
One of the oldest capo designs, examples from 1840 exists. The Hamilton design itself has changed little and it is often considered a vintage or replica design.
Originally a small rod that passed through the side of capo kept the neck pad centered.
The way I am finding it impossible to open this capo makes me think it is 125 years old
I had to use a vise and pliers to open the capo! I found that metal residue had jammed in the capo latch almost welding it closed
Once opened, the residue prevents easily closing capo.
Obviously operation of this capo was not tested before bagging.
There is no Made in USA stamp on capo or on package. I worry that offshore manufacturing may have adversely contributed to the product quality. There is no Made in anywhere, in fact.
I also noticed that the fretpad bar was NOT parallel to the neck pad. I not sure if this offset is designed to compensate for the thicker 5th and 6th strings or a manufacturing error. Is it possible the screw hole was cut off center?
Mine WebSite
Originally a small rod that passed through the side of capo kept the neck pad centered.
Old Hamilton
Hamilton removed the rod and added a plate extension on the neck pad that wrapped around capo yoke and captured the screw. This was supposed keep the pad centered better. But, in the one I received, tolerances are too loose to accomplish that goal. The thinner the neck, the more off-center will the pad be on that neck.------
The way I am finding it impossible to open this capo makes me think it is 125 years old
I had to use a vise and pliers to open the capo! I found that metal residue had jammed in the capo latch almost welding it closed
Once opened, the residue prevents easily closing capo.fretpad side of latch
The Capo side of latch also had matching metal residue. I used a fret file to remove both obstructions. This is something a end user should never have to do.
Obviously operation of this capo was not tested before bagging.
There is no Made in USA stamp on capo or on package. I worry that offshore manufacturing may have adversely contributed to the product quality. There is no Made in anywhere, in fact.
I also noticed that the fretpad bar was NOT parallel to the neck pad. I not sure if this offset is designed to compensate for the thicker 5th and 6th strings or a manufacturing error. Is it possible the screw hole was cut off center?
Mine WebSite
The 2ed image from the Hamilton website makes me think that I may have received one with a manufacturing defect.
The capo is as effective as the lever version. It can be mounted either way, reference being whichever way that does not get in your way .
On a Martin
