‘Guitar capo 2.0’ offers you 5 totally different notice choices per string

The common-or-garden capo has graced the gig baggage of performing musicians for many years, clamping down to alter the general key of a guitar in a single, swift movement. Now, a brand new tackle the capo opens up entire new musical worlds of alternate tunings.

First issues first, and to reply a query that is nagged me endlessly, it is pronounced ‘kaypo,’ not ‘kahpo’ – and derived from the Italian ‘capotasto,’ which means ‘head of fretboard.’

Even non-musicians will in all probability acknowledge these useful little jiggers, which are available a number of totally different design flavors and successfully will let you shorten the strings of a guitar, bass, mandolin, bouzouki or comparable instrument. They re-tune the entire instrument without delay, letting sensible (or lazy) guitarists shortly soar to a brand new key with out having to twiddle any of the tuning pegs.

Axexel’s ‘Freestyle Voyager 1’ capo takes an analogous method, however treats every string individually.

The place a conventional capo clamps down on high of the fretboard, the Freestyle – just like the CapoSonic earlier than it – clamps to the edges, and provides every string a person ‘hammer,’ with the choice of 4 totally different notes. You’ll be able to select between locking down on certainly one of three consecutive frets, with the hammers adjustable to lock down on the excellent spot to remove buzzing – or go away the hammer off altogether to let a string ring at its open pitch. The unique open tuning of the guitar itself does not change from what it was earlier than clamping on the system, so gamers should not have to relearn the notes on the fretboard, and chord shapes and scales forward could be performed as regular.

All contact with the instrument is rubberized, naturally, to ensure nothing will get scratched up or dented, and the gaps between the hammers are spring-loaded to stay equally spaced even because it strikes up and down a variable-width neck that modifications because it will get nearer to the physique. A separate model is designed to deal with super-wide classical and 12-string guitar necks.

The end result: properly, firstly, a hideously ugly attachment sprouting from an instrument you in all probability selected a minimum of partially based mostly on its attractive look – nevertheless it’s not like conventional capos enhance the look of a guitar, so let’s not dock too many marks there.

And secondly, you get a world of latest versatile tuning choices that’ll fully change the character and artistic potential of the instrument.

Certainly, the best way the hammers lock in place, you would say there’s truly a fifth choice for every string – laying the hammer on it gently to mute it, permitting a easy, fast transition, for instance, between drop D tuning and a Keith Richards-style five-string open G.

It isn’t a visually elegant resolution in its present kind, however I can see this system being a splendidly fascinating inventive device for songwriters, in addition to a versatile and sensible shortcut for performers.

So how a lot, and the place do you get it? Properly, so much. Jazz guitarist, trainer and inventor Ben ‘BenJammin’ Ryan says the FreeStyle Voyager 1 has price a good whack to develop, and the primary 50 items will quickly be launched as an costly restricted version. Proper now, solely the primary unit has been put up for pre-sale on eBay… For US$1,500. Aw, man.

Axexel

Past the primary run of fifty, Benjammin’ says he is obtained plans for a less expensive mass-produced model, offered the curiosity is there. Personally, I am fascinated by this odd machine and would like to get my arms on one if and when the worth descends into the mortal realm. Very neat pondering!

Supply: Axexel