Over the past year or so I have been developing a radically new type of capo for the square neck resonator or lap steel guitar. I realized that there were many problems and limitations with the capos which were available at the time and decided to try and make my own. After many trials with different ideas I came up with this design. 
The heavy brass top component lies flat across the strings. The pressure bar which passes under the strings is made from a length of carbon fibre rod, covered with a silicone rubber sleeve. This rod is just flexible enough to give an even pressure across all the strings provided that the capo is adjusted for the gauge of strings being used. I have sold many of these capos on Ebay, with excellent feedback comments. However, I became aware of a possible improvement which would incorporate a feature which a few other capos have, and which seems to be favoured by certain top dobro players, notably the great Jerry Douglas. This feature involves putting the pressure bar on top of the strings, so the metal component lies underneath. This gives the left hand fingers a little more clearance, allowing playing close up to the capo without obstruction. I redesigned the capo with the pressure bar on top, and I believe it is a great improvement.  |
