Planet Waves products promise to be the most innovative professional musician’s tools available. Our diverse capo line is no exception. Many of our groundbreaking models are the result of a productive joint effort between famed designer Ned Steinberger and Jim D’Addario. Jim and Ned have many more exciting capo development projects in the works.
Choosing the right capo
Radiused or flat fingerboard?
The first major distinction is whether your instrument has a radiused or flat fingerboard. Look at your fretboard. Is the playing surface curved or is it flat (see examples below)?
Most steel string guitars have a radius from 12” to 17”, while most classical guitars, banjos and mandolins have a flat, non-radiused neck. In order for the strings to ring clearly without buzzing, you need to match the capo to the fretboard. In the NS Pro ScrewCapo line we offer both radiused and flat versions.
High performance vs. entry level models
If you are looking for a great capo at a very affordable price, you may want to consider one of our two injection molded, plastic capos. The PW-CP-01 Ratchet Capo or the PW-CP-07 NS Lite Screw Capo. Both are made of high impact plastic, offer adjustable tension and will work well on all 6 string guitars with radiused fretboards. If you have a 12 string guitar, we recommend our metal capo versions below as
12-string guitars require more tension to fret the strings properly.
If you are looking for professional quality performance, we recommend you consider a capo from our NS Capo Pro range or our NS Dual Action Trigger Capo offerings. Both the NS Pro and NS dual action capos utilize proprietary micrometer adjustment geometry that allows you to dial in just the right amount of tension needed for your strings to ring clearly at any fret without excessive tension. This is the biggest improvement to capo designs in decades. This greatly reduces the need to retune as you move your capo on, off or up and down your neck. Additionally, their aircraft-grade aluminum material adds the slightest amount of weight to your neck, which maximizes the natural resonance and vibration of your instrument.
The NS Dual Action Trigger Capo utilizes a patented compound action mechanism to reduce the force required to open and close the capo. This makes it easy to use and the patented geometry closes the lower jaw against the back of your neck without pulling the strings side to side as ordinary, single-action, trigger type capos tend to do. This, coupled with the micrometer spring tension adjustment, allows you to set your NS Dual Action Capo so it virtually eliminates the need to retune when you move from position to position.
Screw style capo vs Trigger style capo
With the addition of our proprietary micrometer tension adjustment both style of capos offer in-tune performance at any fret. You may have a preference as to which style is right for you.
Screw style capo
- Extremely precise tension adjustment. Perfect for studio and critical recording
- Compact, low profile design
- Single-hand operation
- In-tune performance at any fret
- Available for radiused and flat fingerboards
- Trio – partial capo for drop E an A tunings and banjos and mandolins
Trigger style capo
- Precise tension adjustment
- Single hand operation
- Extremely fast application and removal, perfect for live use
- Attaches to the headstock for convenient storage
- In-tune performance at any fret
Designed for standard electric and acoustic guitars, The Planet Waves Ratchet Capo’s molded design offers ease of use and function at an affordable price. The simple and intuitive ratchet design locks strings into place with a simple squeezing motion. One press of the quick release lever unlocks the capo for easy removal or re-positioning on the fretboard.
- Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards
- Unique ratchet design with quick-release
- Lightweight design adds almost no weight to neck of instrument
- Made of high impact plastic
- Recommended for 6 string guitars only
- Competitively priced
PW-CP-07 - NS Capo Lite
Designed for standard electric and acoustic 6-string guitars, the NS Capo LIte assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret. A patented micrometer adjustment mechanism, allows you to dial in the exact tension needed for your guitar, strings and playing position. This greatly reduces the need to retune your guitar during and after capo use. The capos molded ABS design offers light weight, ease of use and function at an affordable price.
Available in Black only
- Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Single hand operation
- High impact, light weight ABS plastic construction
- Recommended for 6 String guitars Only
- Competitively priced
Protected by US Pat. # D521048S
NS Capo Pro
Designed for standard electric and acoustic 6 or 12 string guitars, the NS Capo Pro assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret. A patented micrometer adjustment mechanism, allows you to dial in the exact tension needed for clear ringing notes without excessive force in any position on the neck. This greatly reduces the need to retune your guitar during and after capo use. The sleek aircraft grade aluminum construction can withstand the toughest playing/touring schedule while adding negligible additional weight or obstruction to the instrument
Available in black and silver
- Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Single hand operation
- Aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Works for 6- or 12- string guitars
Protected by US Pat. # D521048S
NS Classical Guitar Capo
Design specifically for classical guitars, the NS Classical Guitar Capo assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret. A patented micrometer adjustment mechanism, allows you to dial in the exact tension needed for clear ringing notes without excessive force in any position on the neck. This greatly reduces the need to retune your guitar during and after capo use. The sleek aircraft grade aluminum construction can withstand the toughest playing/touring schedule while adding negligible additional weight or obstruction to the instrument.
Available in black only
- Designed for classical guitars with non-radiused fretboards
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Single hand operation
- Aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Recommended for 6 string classical guitars only
Protected by US Pat. # D521048S
NS Dual-Action Capo
Designed for standard electric and acoustic guitars, the NS Dual-action capo assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret. A patented compound action mechanism reduces the force required to open and close the capo. This makes the capo easy to use while the patented geometry applies direct horizontal pressure to the fretboard without pulling the strings side to side as ordinary, single-action, trigger type capos do. This coupled with the micrometer spring tension adjustment allow you to set your NS Dual Action Capo so it virtually eliminates the need to retune as you move your capo on, off or up and down your neck.
Available in black and silver
- Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards
- Compound action reduces the force necessary to open and close the capo
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Single hand operation
- Designed for 6- and 12-guitars
Protected by US Pat. # 6,008,441
PW-CP-06 – NS Trio Capo
The first in a series of specialty capos being offered by Planet Waves, the NS Trio Capo design includes a shorter upper arm and extended lower arm allowing for partial capo application on 6- or 12-string guitars and can double as an effective banjo and mandolin capo as well. A patented micrometer adjustment mechanism, allows you to dial in the exact tension needed for clear ringing notes without excessive force in any position on the neck. This greatly reduces the need to retune your guitar during and after capo use. The sleek aircraft grade aluminum construction can withstand the toughest playing/touring schedule while adding no additional weight or obstruction to the instrument
Available in black only
- Designed for acoustic, electric guitars, banjos and mandolins
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Single hand operation
- Aircraft grade aluminum construction
- Works for 6- or 12- string guitars
Protected by US Pat. # D521048S
PW-CP-08 - Dual Action Capo Tuner
The NS Capo Tuner combines the widely acclaimed NS Dual Action Capo with a Planet Waves precision chromatic tuner. The first of its kind, the NS Capo Tuner provides accurate tuning at any fret or when clipped on the headstock of your acoustic or electric guitar. A patented compound action mechanism reduces the force required to open and close the capo. This makes the capo easy to use while the patented geometry applies direct horizontal pressure to the fretboard without pulling the strings side to side as ordinary, single-action, trigger type capos do. This coupled with the micrometer spring tension adjustment allow you to set your NS Dual Action Capo so it virtually eliminates the need to retune as you move your capo on, off or up and down your neck.
Available in black only
- Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards
- Provides accurate tuning at any fret or when clipped on the headstock
- Compound action reduces the force necessary to open and close the capo
- Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret
- Designed for 6- and 12-guitars
Protected by US Pat. # 6,008,441
