Lole - Posted - 09/07/2010:  11:55:41

Hello everybody.
Is it a Sin to use a capo on a weissenborn? Why? I've come across that opininon many times and I would like to hear what you people have to say about it.

//Daniel

Grizz - Posted - 09/07/2010:  12:22:57

Never had the need or desire to put a capo on. But if people want to use them why not. You know the Cigar Box people say "there are no rules" well.........................

El Dobro - Posted - 09/07/2010:  12:39:08

Why not. I've seen players use capos on mandolins and fiddles.

badger - Posted - 09/07/2010:  14:10:34

Venial.

RobA - Posted - 09/07/2010:  15:39:30

I use them all the time...

fred d - Posted - 09/07/2010:  17:28:09

I ask are band leader that sunday He also plays dobo ( he said it was a personal choice but some used it when there were lots of chord changes with in a certain Key )

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 09/07/2010:  21:49:42

There's an old saw that it's totally uncool to use a capo on an electric guitar when you are a lead player. But having seen in the last year in concert master electric players like Mark Knopfler and Albert Lee use capos on certain songs, I figure that's the bottom line and capo naysayers don't have a leg to stand on.

So when it comes to the weissenborn, which the vast majority of people have never heard of let alone pronounce, then I say who gives a crap?

The only problem I see is that some weissies have relatively low action for lap-style guitars, so there could be the problem of "floating" style dobro capos banging into the fretboard while playing.

rolf - Posted - 09/07/2010:  22:28:20

... and donīt forget, that using a capo on any instrument will change the sound significantly. I donīt mean that the TONE changes, but the way the chords sound because the sequencing of notes changes and you are able to use open strings in a great variety of keys. I also thought in my earlier days that it is totally uncool to use a capo on an electric guitar ]:-)] until I started to use it as some kind of a "creative tool" to get the sound I wanted to hear. (I admit, that I even use a capo on the mandolin for some tunes). To return to your first question: I think it would rather be a sin NOT to try out, what you can do with a capo on the weissenborn.

The only thing that could keep you from doing this is, that some capos (like that Shubb thing) are not recommended for weissenborns, because of the pressure that could potentially damage the neck.

HTH

Edited by - rolf on 09/07/2010 22:31:19

Lole - Posted - 09/08/2010:  02:22:05

Thanks for the input, everyone!
The action on my Weissenborn is pretty low so it doesn't work very well with my Beard Capo. Is it like that on most Weissenborns or does it differ?
I would like a little higher action if it was possible:(

//Daniel

SteveH - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:35:45

I don't know what capo would work if the Beard doesn't. On my first reso that had pretty low action, the Beard was the only one that WOULD work. All the others I tried required more space between strings and fretboard.

Grizz - Posted - 09/08/2010:  07:23:04

Daniel. Talk to Martin Gross, he can make you a capo that will work with the Wessie. He and I have already discussed it. martingross.com/

Edited by - Grizz on 09/08/2010 07:23:34

MOBLUE - Posted - 09/08/2010:  08:45:17

Rolf said:
"I also thought in my earlier days that it is totally uncool to use a capo on an electric guitar "

Muddy Waters used a capo on an electric and he had no problem bein' cool.

MarkC - Posted - 09/14/2010:  22:39:08

Confessional here...I used a Fluxcapo on the second fret of my Weiss for a recording with the Fall Line Bluegrass Band. The cut was "Orphan Girl". Worked and sounded just fine. I thought at the time that the capo would be a huge violation of Weiss playing ethics, but hey...do whatever makes the music work. My conscience is clear..

Mark

MitchC - Posted - 09/15/2010:  18:36:34

Jayson Bowerman sent me a 'bonus' weissenborn capo when I ordered a Koa M1a coverplate. Works really well... just a piece of Koa wood with a 1/4" piece of graphite / or drill rod (interchangeable)... works and sounds great on my weissenborns

otbreso - Posted - 09/15/2010:  20:12:45

Mitch, your fretted capo went out in the mail today.

Grizz - Posted - 09/15/2010:  21:35:27

Mitch, was that like the one that KJP used that you wanted someone to make? Bobby was suppose to make one for you. I guess that didn't work out. Ok now what the hell is this fretted capo? Jeez. I can't keep up with you Mitch. I talked to Martin a while back and he thinks his design would work just fine. I am not at the point where I need one so I can save my money.