Post by RobertW on Feb 24, 2017 17:32:39 GMT -5
G7th Ultralight, made in UK, 12.99$CDN
comes in black and baby blue also
while chatting at the counter, i saw a capo I did not recognize...
At first look it seems very flimsy.
Double-Click Images to View Full Size
First thoughts:
There is a reason I use Shubb for scale. The idea behind the designs is similar, once you set the thumbscrew for the 2ed fret, minimal or no adjustment is required for other nearby frets. In fact, I was able to slide the capo from 2ed to 4th fret, without touching the thumbscrew... G7th does not market the Ultralight as having that feature, so my results may be simply due to the design of the Amber Trails neck. We shall see how the capo interacts with thicker neck guitars.
Possible negatives:
There is a LOT of pressure put on the brass PEMnut embedded in the nylon, it may pull out.
I find it difficult to remove, back off the thumbscrew to avoid thumb whiplash
I will be using this on my Amber Trails and other guitars over next few days.
Here is G7th promotional video
12 String Thoughts:
The capo is advertised for 6 string, so I did not expect much. Like the Planet Waves ratchet mentioned earlier, the material used for the fret pad is too hard to handle the height differentials on the 12 string. I was also afraid to tighten the thumb screw too much. The feeling of fragility with this capo is very difficult to overcome. It MIGHT be possible to tighten the thumb screw to get rid of octave string buzz, but I fear catastrophic failure.
Playability:
Again, like the Shubb, this wee capo just doesn't get in the way, ever! Will it replace Shubb as THE capo to use when recording, especially fingerstyle? Time will tell.
Loose Threads:
The PEMnut seems to accomadate the full length of the thumb screw, but the thumbscrew sits in the threads loosely. It often LOOKS like the screw is bent. For example, below.
Other Guitars:
All the previous comments were based on tests with the Seagull N.E. Amber Trails MJ.
I next tried my Martin HPL (GPCPA5K). Almost the same body size as the Amber Trails, the Martin's Stratabond neck is a bit thicker. I had to back off the thumb screw to get the capo on. Otherwise, the capo played well with the Martin. No issues there. Then I got brave...
I pulled down the Alvarez Baritone. I had to back off the thumb till it nearly fell out. The capo did its job, but only with light fingering. Strumming brought out the fuzz. But.. the thumb screw looked bent over at the PEMnut. I had thought 'Damn, didn't last long'. But upon unscrewing it, found it undamaged. I guess the loose threading serves a purpose.
SO..after a week of using the capo on various guitars i have come to some conclusions. First, some points:-
- the tiny form-factor is wonderful, the capo Never gets in the way no matter what I try to play.
- easy of use? I actually find the capo very difficult to get on past the 5th fret. I have unscrew to the point where the thumbscrew is ready to fall out. On my Amber Trails, at 7th fret , I needed both hands to "snap" it on. I fear the PEMnut and/or the thumbscrew stripping when forced to be unscrewed so only 1 or two threads are in contact.
If you never venture past the 2ed fret, and don't require quick change, this is the capo for you. For myself, frustration caused me to reach for my trusty MeIdeal.
If G7th lengthened the thumbscrew a tad, and perhaps the strap as well, using the capo higher up the neck could prove to be much easier.
comes in black and baby blue also
while chatting at the counter, i saw a capo I did not recognize...
At first look it seems very flimsy.
Double-Click Images to View Full Size
Shubb for scale
It is just 2 pieces
Notice embedded brass PEMnut.
The fretpad material (red, powder blue or black) seems to similar to the grey composite used on the PlanetWaves Ratchet
The meagre instructions did not make much sense to me till i actually got it in my hand and on the guitar.
Notice embedded brass PEMnut.
The fretpad material (red, powder blue or black) seems to similar to the grey composite used on the PlanetWaves Ratchet
The meagre instructions did not make much sense to me till i actually got it in my hand and on the guitar.
First thoughts:
There is a reason I use Shubb for scale. The idea behind the designs is similar, once you set the thumbscrew for the 2ed fret, minimal or no adjustment is required for other nearby frets. In fact, I was able to slide the capo from 2ed to 4th fret, without touching the thumbscrew... G7th does not market the Ultralight as having that feature, so my results may be simply due to the design of the Amber Trails neck. We shall see how the capo interacts with thicker neck guitars.
Possible negatives:
There is a LOT of pressure put on the brass PEMnut embedded in the nylon, it may pull out.
I find it difficult to remove, back off the thumbscrew to avoid thumb whiplash
I will be using this on my Amber Trails and other guitars over next few days.
Here is G7th promotional video
12 String Thoughts:
The capo is advertised for 6 string, so I did not expect much. Like the Planet Waves ratchet mentioned earlier, the material used for the fret pad is too hard to handle the height differentials on the 12 string. I was also afraid to tighten the thumb screw too much. The feeling of fragility with this capo is very difficult to overcome. It MIGHT be possible to tighten the thumb screw to get rid of octave string buzz, but I fear catastrophic failure.
Playability:
Again, like the Shubb, this wee capo just doesn't get in the way, ever! Will it replace Shubb as THE capo to use when recording, especially fingerstyle? Time will tell.
Loose Threads:
The PEMnut seems to accomadate the full length of the thumb screw, but the thumbscrew sits in the threads loosely. It often LOOKS like the screw is bent. For example, below.
Other Guitars:
All the previous comments were based on tests with the Seagull N.E. Amber Trails MJ.
I next tried my Martin HPL (GPCPA5K). Almost the same body size as the Amber Trails, the Martin's Stratabond neck is a bit thicker. I had to back off the thumb screw to get the capo on. Otherwise, the capo played well with the Martin. No issues there. Then I got brave...
I pulled down the Alvarez Baritone. I had to back off the thumb till it nearly fell out. The capo did its job, but only with light fingering. Strumming brought out the fuzz. But.. the thumb screw looked bent over at the PEMnut. I had thought 'Damn, didn't last long'. But upon unscrewing it, found it undamaged. I guess the loose threading serves a purpose.
SO..after a week of using the capo on various guitars i have come to some conclusions. First, some points:-
- the tiny form-factor is wonderful, the capo Never gets in the way no matter what I try to play.
- easy of use? I actually find the capo very difficult to get on past the 5th fret. I have unscrew to the point where the thumbscrew is ready to fall out. On my Amber Trails, at 7th fret , I needed both hands to "snap" it on. I fear the PEMnut and/or the thumbscrew stripping when forced to be unscrewed so only 1 or two threads are in contact.
If you never venture past the 2ed fret, and don't require quick change, this is the capo for you. For myself, frustration caused me to reach for my trusty MeIdeal.
If G7th lengthened the thumbscrew a tad, and perhaps the strap as well, using the capo higher up the neck could prove to be much easier.
