6stringedRamble - Posted - 05/12/2019:  02:18:12

I need something quick and cheap to make. When I ordered my banjo I didn't think rail spikes were all that important. Now I want to play Art Rosenbaum's version of In The Pines. You need to capo the 5th string for the tuning.



How can I do that without out make modifications to my banjo? I saw a 5th string capo online for $59 that just pop on, but I want something DIY and cheap.

Edited by - 6stringedRamble on 05/12/2019 02:18:32

Chris Meakin - Posted - 05/12/2019:  02:58:50

This works; I made one.

frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/...capo.html

Jim Yates - Posted - 05/12/2019:  03:28:22

I use a similar type of partial capo on my dulcimer. I hadn't thought of sawing off the protruding end, but it doesn't get in the way on the dulcimer, but it might on the banjo.

 

lyndabee - Posted - 05/12/2019:  05:27:37

I also used the slotted pen cap for a whole summer on my first banjo until I was able to get spikes put in. Worked great.

I still have a whole bag of them somewhere from when friends were giving me all their old stick pen caps. If I can find the bag I can send them to you :-)

Edited by - lyndabee on 05/12/2019 05:33:04

wilbanjo - Posted - 05/12/2019:  05:42:48

Someone here on banjo hangout made one of these , so I made one . It works well , and I used a brass nut .

5th string capo

 

rudy - Posted - 05/12/2019:  05:51:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by wilbanjo

Someone here on banjo hangout made one of these , so I made one . It works well , and I used a brass nut .

---

They work well and can be made of brass or a scrap of hardwood, but looks like the OP is looking for something quicker to make.  The Bic pen cap would certainly fit the bill, and folks have posted other quickie solutions like using a cut off piece of a guitar bridge pin.  Those look a little classier with the shaped ball end.

To examine the range of options for banjo 5th string capos please visit the on-line Sterner Banjo Capo Museum.

Edited by - rudy on 05/12/2019 06:00:34

northernbelle - Posted - 05/12/2019:  15:36:12

Not home made but...If you want to get something before you have time to make one, 'cause your banjo is coming!... Banjo Ben's General Store site has a nice little 5th string capo for something like $13-15. I use it and it seems to work fine on my Bluegrass Banjo. store.banjobenclark.com/collections/capos

There are several members here who use them. A cheap spare once you make yours? Mine came in just a couple of days to the W. coast.

I've tried the pen cap and it works but often slips and yes you will likely need to cut the long pointy bit.  I looked at the 60 dollar version on Amazon and that's a ridiculous price in my opinion!  The reviews there are very mixed but some players do like them.   

Hope that helps some.

Edited by - northernbelle on 05/12/2019 15:41:32

deestexas - Posted - 05/12/2019:  15:57:00

In an emergency, I really like the capo made from a paperclip.    shadowriders.org/marc/banjo.html

Fathand - Posted - 05/13/2019:  07:35:04

Pen cap capos work good in a pinch, I used to give them to students so they could learn 5th capo theory. They do occasionally fly away while playing though, keep spares.

steve davis - Posted - 05/13/2019:  07:44:45

I like using a small alligator clip.
It stays on good being clipped to the string.

 

Half Barbaric Twanger - Posted - 05/13/2019:  08:26:07

For a little less than $15 I got a Strum Hollow 5th String Banjo Capo from amazon, which looks a lot like the Regan capo I lost a couple of years ago, but comes with a small carrying bag, which should make it harder to lose. For about the same price, there used to be an "Uncle Earl's" 5th string capo, which had an elastic band which ran under the neck to a flat hook which held on the 1st string side. (sorry I can't make it clearer)

I prefered the Regan type capo because it provided its own fret and one of my banjos had a fifth string nut that was above the fifth string fret (closer to the bridge). When I learned tunes that required me to fret the fifth string, I had to bend the string. Also, this meant the usual 5th string capos would be flat. But, I could place the Regan capo above the fret I wanted and it would work. It turned out the Regan capo was just wide enough that if I snugged it up against the 7th or 9th fret, it was perfect (to my ear:). The tenth fret was "good enough for folk music" :), and the twelth I had to eyeball the position myself. The only probelm was that it was tempting to park the capo on one of the strings above the nut, and it could slip off and get lost.

I hope this gives you some cheaper alternatives. $59 seemsa bit exorbitant.

Bill

rudy - Posted - 05/13/2019:  08:38:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by Half Barbaric Twanger

For a little less than $15 I got a Strum Hollow 5th String Banjo Capo from amazon, which looks a lot like the Regan capo I lost a couple of years ago, but comes with a small carrying bag, which should make it harder to lose. For about the same price, there used to be an "Uncle Earl's" 5th string capo, which had an elastic band which ran under the neck to a flat hook which held on the 1st string side. (sorry I can't make it clearer)



I prefered the Regan type capo because it provided its own fret and one of my banjos had a fifth string nut that was above the fifth string fret (closer to the bridge). When I learned tunes that required me to fret the fifth string, I had to bend the string. Also, this meant the usual 5th string capos would be flat. But, I could place the Regan capo above the fret I wanted and it would work. It turned out the Regan capo was just wide enough that if I snugged it up against the 7th or 9th fret, it was perfect (to my ear:). The tenth fret was "good enough for folk music" :), and the twelth I had to eyeball the position myself. The only probelm was that it was tempting to park the capo on one of the strings above the nut, and it could slip off and get lost.



I hope this gives you some cheaper alternatives. $59 seemsa bit exorbitant.



Bill

---

It is pictured at the "Capo Museum" link posted above for anyone who wants to see it.

steve davis - Posted - 05/13/2019:  10:57:54

An alligator clip cost around $1.

Jim Yates - Posted - 05/13/2019:  11:06:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

An alligator clip cost around $1.

---

And if you get two, they make an excellent mute.  I used to use clothespins, but they vibrate off in the middle of a song.  Alligator clips stay in place.  Many music store bought mutes won't work on a compensated bridge.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 05/13/2019 11:10:09

 

northernbelle - Posted - 05/13/2019:  11:08:46

The "Strum Hollow" version I mentioned above is sort of "the replacement" for the Regan (which as far as I've read is no longer being manufactured). It's essentially the same or at least very similar design.

I'm still a beginner intermediate so not an expert but I've found the S.H. to be less "klutzy" to use than pen caps and paperclips which all seem to fly off into the universe eventually while playing. The S.H. has stayed put but boyo are they tiny!!! You would likely want to carry a spare just in case you lose one at a gig or jam.

Haven't tried the alligator clip. I'll experiment with that one for a back up if ever needed. Steve, do you pad it with anything? (shrink wrap, felt pad?) didn't see anything in your pic so guessing not? Also, is the neck in your pic one you built?

steve davis - Posted - 05/13/2019:  13:13:36

There are different designs for these type of clips.Some are shorter than the standard a.c.

Not padded...just clip it onto the string at the fret...Make sure to get solid lower jaw contact between the fretboard and string for good tone.

 The neck is a '79 Gold Star G/85.

I bought it on an on-line HA auction out of Dallas using PayPal for the first time.It was like brand new.The condition looked like it went to a store and never got sold.

I hated selling it!

Edited by - steve davis on 05/13/2019 13:21:18

RV6 - Posted - 05/13/2019:  16:01:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fathand

Pen cap capos work good in a pinch, I used to give them to students so they could learn 5th capo theory. They do occasionally fly away while playing though, keep spares.

---

I piece of foam ear plug stuck in the circular part of the pen cap so it rests against the edge of the fret board stabilizes things a bit and lessens "fly away"problems.

Jim Yates - Posted - 05/13/2019:  20:26:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

There are different designs for these type of clips.Some are shorter than the standard a.c.

Not padded...just clip it onto the string at the fret...Make sure to get solid lower jaw contact between the fretboard and string for good tone.

 The neck is a '79 Gold Star G/85.

I bought it on an on-line HA auction out of Dallas using PayPal for the first time.It was like brand new.The condition looked like it went to a store and never got sold.

I hated selling it!

---

Do you find that you have to touch up the tuning with the alligator clip?  It seems to sit behind the fret.  Of course some folks have pips that sit behind the fret as well, and it may work perfectly for them.

johnedallas - Posted - 05/16/2019:  05:18:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by deestexas

In an emergency, I really like the capo made from a paperclip.    shadowriders.org/marc/banjo.html

---

I use this type of 5th-string capo, too. Works well for me.

I make them to fit at the 7th fret, because when I capo it's mostly at the second fret. If you want to capo the 5th higher up, you'll probably have to bend a new paperclip for each position.

Cheers,

John

steve davis - Posted - 05/16/2019:  10:50:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

There are different designs for these type of clips.Some are shorter than the standard a.c.

Not padded...just clip it onto the string at the fret...Make sure to get solid lower jaw contact between the fretboard and string for good tone.

 The neck is a '79 Gold Star G/85.

I bought it on an on-line HA auction out of Dallas using PayPal for the first time.It was like brand new.The condition looked like it went to a store and never got sold.

I hated selling it!

---

Do you find that you have to touch up the tuning with the alligator clip?  It seems to sit behind the fret.  Of course some folks have pips that sit behind the fret as well, and it may work perfectly for them.

---

It's been a while since I used one and I can't remember.I'll guess it needs a tweak,but not much of one if you bump it right up against the backside of the fret.

If I could find a clip I'd tell youright now.

Edited by - steve davis on 05/16/2019 10:53:04

rudy - Posted - 05/16/2019:  12:11:42

Marc's "Paper Clip Capo" link sez:

"As I recall, my original capo (-35 years ago) did dent the back of the neck slightly if left in place for long periods of time (days or weeks)."

I think I'll leave the paper clips in the stationary drawer...  

Edited by - rudy on 05/16/2019 12:14:53

6stringedRamble - Posted - 05/17/2019:  12:38:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by rudy

quote:

---

Originally posted by wilbanjo

Someone here on banjo hangout made one of these , so I made one . It works well , and I used a brass nut .

---

They work well and can be made of brass or a scrap of hardwood, but looks like the OP is looking for something quicker to make.  The Bic pen cap would certainly fit the bill, and folks have posted other quickie solutions like using a cut off piece of a guitar bridge pin.  Those look a little classier with the shaped ball end.

To examine the range of options for banjo 5th string capos please visit the on-line Sterner Banjo Capo Museum.

---

Where can I find capos like the ones in the pics?

6stringedRamble - Posted - 05/17/2019:  12:40:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by wilbanjo

Someone here on banjo hangout made one of these , so I made one . It works well , and I used a brass nut .

---

I live in an apt, and don't have a workshop. Does anyone sell these online?