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For a complete, up-to-date list go to the new partial capo super-site site at www.partialcapo.com

Educating the world about partial capos since 1980.
We no longer carry all types of partial capos.
Find out how the partial capo can improve your music.
Don't miss the new "Capo Voodoo Book" series by partial capo pioneer Harvey Reid
This chart can help you understand the various capos.
PARTIAL CAPOS
CAPO
PROS
CONS
OUR PRICE
Third Hand Capo

Liberty FLIP Model 43

Reversible design does the job of 3 partial capos. Can clamp 3 or 4 middle strings on most guitars, and outer 4 strings on many.

 

Extremely durable, versatile, light-weight and easy to operate. Fits more guitars at more frets, and works as full & partial capo on mandolin family, uke and banjo also. Can do most of what matters in the world of partial capos.

Slower to operate than spring capos, but better in every other way.

Download a comparison PDF of 3-string capos

$24.95

+ shipping

Order One

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Third Hand Capo

Liberty FLIP Model 65

Works as a full capo for steel-string (radiused) guitars, or as a 5-string partial capo. Matches the ground-breaking Model 43

 

The most durable, lightweight, versatile, accurate and lowest profile capo. Radiused full capo on one side, a 5-string partial on the other.
Slower to operate than spring capos, but better in every other way.
Download a comparison PDF of 4/5-string capos

$24.95

+ shipping

Order One

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Spider Universal Partial Capo

Third Hand

(Universal)

 

The original and most universal partial capo. From 1976 till 2016 it did its job. Clumsy and very visible, it let you clamp any combination on a huge variety of instruments.
Hard to reach over, slow to operate, hard to control clamping force, elastic weakens. Read a careful comparison of Third Hand & Spider capos

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Spider Universal Partial Capo

Spider Capo

(Universal)

new in 2008

Universal partial capo , and you can flip the levers while it's on your guitar!, no elastic to wear out. Has more "space-age" look than Third Hand
Can't handle wide neck or 12-string 12-string. Slower to operate than Third Hand, levers are easily bumped. Expensive. Read a careful comparison of Third Hand & Spider capos

 

Shubb c7b Esus = E suspended partial capo

Shubb

(Esus - 3 inner strings)

Very low-profile, easy to reach over & behind, very durable. Can form Esus chord or A chord if flipped around. A fine Esus capo.

Requires 2 hands to put on or move

Read a careful comparison of Shubb & Kyser Esus capos

Shubb c8b capo Drop D / E

Shubb model c8b

(5 outer strings)

Very strong, durable, low-profile, can be easily shortened or notched for custom capos. Can sometimes use as banjo or mandolin capo.
Requires 2 hands to put on or move. Usually can't reliably clamp just 4 outer strings without problems.
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Kyser Shortcut (SHort Cut)

Kyser "Shortcut" Capo

(Esus - 3 inner strings)

Can be put on or moved with one hand, even in mid-song. Can form Esus chord or A chord if flipped around. Does the same things as the Shubb Esus.
Harder to reach over, spring mechanism weakens with age, may pull sideways, may not hold heavier strings or 12-string. Compare Shubb & Kyser Esus capos

 

Kyser Shortcut (SHort Cut)

G7 "Newport #3" Capo

(Esus - 3 inner strings)

Attractive, low profile,easy to reach around, good tone from rubber.
Very poor string clearance, hits bass string if you use it at higher frets. Easy to bump out of position.

 

Planet Waves Trio capo

Planet Waves

"Trio"

Clamps 5 strings on bass or treble side -- may also clamp 4 outer strings

Strong, durable, low-profile, lightweight, inexpensive, attractive. Also a banjo, uke or mandolin capo.
Few disadvantages. Screw can fall out and get lost. Only available in black.

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Woodie's G Band 1

Woodie's "G-Band"

Model 1 Capo

single outer string

Very low-profile, easy to reach around, does a number of unique and useful things, inexpensive
Sometimes shifts out of position, does not fit wide necks, has trouble higher up on some neck shapes

 

Woodie's G Band Model 2 partial capo

Woodie's "G-Band"

Model 2 Capo

2 outer strings

Very low-profile, easy to reach around, inexpensive
Sometimes shifts out of position, does not fit wide necks, has trouble higher up on some neck shapes

 

Kyser "Drop D" Capo

(5 or 4 strings)

Very fast operation, can store on headstock or strap. Can attach from either side of fingerboard.
Weaker clamp mechanism, hard to reach over, difficult to shorten or modify. Can't reliably clamp just 4 outer strings without problems.

 

Kyser K-Lever Green partial capo

Kyser K-Lever GREEN Capo "Drop D"

(5 strings)

Has extra lever to fret under the capo. (as long as you press it with your finger) Allows more musical possibilities.
Difficult to shorten or modify, hard to reach over, expensive, obtrusive

DIscontinued

read more

G7 Newport #5

G7 "Newport #5" Capo

(5 outer strings from either side)

Attractive, low profile,easy to reach around, good tone from rubber.
Very poor string clearance, hits bass string if you use it at higher frets. Easy to bump out of position.

 

Kyser K-Lever BLUE partial capo

Kyser K-Lever BLUE Capo "Esus"

(3 inner strings)

Has extra lever to fret under the capo. (as long as you press it with your finger) Allows more musical possibilities.
Difficult to shorten or modify, hard to reach over, expensive, obtrusive

DIscontinued in 2014

Kyser K-Lever WHITE partial capo

Kyser K-Lever WHITE Capo "Open G "

(3 inner strings)

Has extra lever to fret under the capo. (as long as you press it with your finger) Allows more musical possibilities.
Difficult to shorten or modify, hard to reach over, expensive, obtrusive

DIscontinued in 2014

Kyser K-Lever RED partial capo

Kyser K-Lever RED Capo "Double Drop D"

(middle 4 strings)

Has extra lever to fret under the capo. (as long as you press it with your finger) Allows more musical possibilities.
Hard to reach over, expensive. Not musically as useful as other partial capos.

DIscontinued in 2014

read more

Harmonic partial capo

Bob Kilgore's Harmonic Capo

(Universal)

Clamped at fret 5, 7 or 12 it can sound harmonics. Makes really amazing sounds that don't seem possible.
Fussy to set up- may not fit all neck shapes (at 12th fret) easily bumped out of position

 

Capo clip

Capo Clip

(various)

Unique, can do things no other capo can do. Comes in several models shaped like E, D, G, C chords. Can be moved around & rotated for new ideas.
Requires another capo to hold it down, small parts fall off and are easy to lose, easy to bump out of position, can be unstable.

 

Transpo Capo

"Transpo" Capo

(Esus - 3 string)

Allows very fast access to Esus configuration in keys of E, F, F# and G
Cannot flip around to form A chord, only works on a few frets, and does not work well on short or long-scales. Spring mechanism weakens. Expensive.

NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE

 

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