Original Shubb capo, plain brass. A natural for anyone who favors a retro look.
For 7.25” radius — fits some (but not most) vintage electrics.
A few years ago we upgraded the original nickel plated Shubb capo, giving it the roller design, and a more streamlined look and feel. But whenever you change something, some people will prefer the original. So for those who still want the “classic” — the original Shubb capo as it has been for over 40 years — we are continuing to make the ORIGINAL Shubb capo available in plain brass.
Plain, unplated brass will darken in time. For those of us who appreciate brass, we prefer this look; reminiscent of an old microscope, or a piece of gear from a sailing ship. But if you like your brass to shine, it can be polished with a cloth and most any commercial metal polish.
Since 1980 the Shubb capo has set the standard against which all others must be measured. It is the first choice … often the only choice… of more than a million musicians worldwide. The serious guitarist will settle for no less.
Our model 4 capos are 2″ wide and more curved than our other capos. These are made specifically for vintage Fender Teles and Strats with 7.25″ radius fretboards. Note that MOST Fenders do NOT have this more extreme radius, and should use one of our model 1 capos.
Model 4 includes the following capos:
So which guitars have these fretboards?
First, it’s safe to say that the vast majority of guitars which MIGHT have a 7.25″ radius fretboard are electric guitars. But…
• Do all electric guitars have a 7.25″ radius fretboard?
NO! Most have a 9.5″ radius or greater, and should use our model 1 capos.
Fender guitars are often associated with a more extremely radiused fretboard, but…
• Do all Fender guitars have a 7.25″ radius fretboard?
NO! Even most Fenders have at least a 9.5″ radius.
Some people assume that a Tele or Strat has a more extremely radiused fretboard, but..
• Do all Fender Teles or Strats have a 7.25″ radius fretboard?
NO! There are so many models of Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster, most of which do not have this radical curve, that it is difficult to keep track of which has which curve.
• HEY! Wait a minute. Do ANY guitars have this curve?
Well, yes. SOME of the old vintage Teles and Strats, and some copies of these styles of guitars, DO have the 7.25″ radius fretboard. That’s why we made this model of capo.
the only way to know is to learn to identify by eye.
Kind of hard to see much difference here, isn’t it? But on your guitar, you can tell …once you’re used to looking at one or the other.
• What if you get the wrong one?
In many cases, this is not a big problem. The rubber on the Shubb Capo is so amazingly resilient that, depending on string gauge and action, it can often accommodate the difference between these two curves.