Collection: Capos
Guitar Capos
If you’re searching for a guitar capo for sale—acoustic guitar capo, electric guitar capo, classical guitar capo, 12-string capo, or partial capo—you’re in the right place. Chicago Music Exchange stocks the industry’s top options from Kyser, Shubb, G7th, D’Addario/Planet Waves, Dunlop, Paige, Thalia, and boutique makers. Every capo we sell is vetted for intonation accuracy, neck/fretboard compatibility, and on-stage reliability so your chords ring buzz-free and in tune.
Why Players Use a Guitar Capo (and which one to choose)
A capo lets you change keys instantly, keep open-chord voicings, and achieve brighter resonance without retuning—perfect for singer-songwriters, folk, country, worship, and pop. It’s also a classic arranging tool in rock: think The Beatles, Oasis/Noel Gallagher, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Keith Richards, and Nashville session greats—capos are everywhere from bedroom demos to arena stages.
Most-popular capo types (quick picks):
- Trigger/Spring (Kyser, Dunlop): One-handed on/off, great live. Choose radiused (most steel-string) or flat (classical).
- Screw/Adjustable (Shubb, G7th Heritage, Paige): Dialed pressure = best intonation/least retune; slim, low-profile for complex chords.
- Click/Clutch (G7th Performance 3): Fast clamp with Adaptive Radius Technology for consistent pressure across different fingerboard radii.
- Partial/Drop-T (Spider/Third-Hand style): Creative voicings and DADGAD-like textures without changing tuning.
- Specialty: 12-string capos (wider + balanced padding), banjo/mandolin capos (narrower), classic nylon-string capos (flat fingerboards).
Specs That Matter (so your capo plays in tune)
- Curved/radiused boards (most acoustic/electric): pick a radiused capo or a design with adaptive radius.
- Classical guitar capo: flat pad required.
- Neck width/profile: Slim T-style necks vs wide 12-strings need different clamping length and pad shape.
- Tension control: Screw/adjustable = most accurate pressure → best intonation and sustain.
- Materials & padding: Aluminum/stainless frames with silicone pads prevent dents and minimize string pull-sharp.
- Height/clearance: Low-profile designs (Paige/Shubb) keep your fretting hand clear for thumb-over chords.
- Finish safety: Quality pads protect nitro and poly finishes when stored above the nut—avoid leaving a damp capo on the headstock.
Popular Models & Use-Cases
- Kyser Quick-Change: Fast trigger capo for live players; choose acoustic/electric, classical (flat), or 12-string versions.
- Shubb C1/C2/C3: Screw-lock accuracy; C1 for steel-string, C2 classical (flat), C3 for 12-string.
- G7th Performance 3 / Newport: Click or screw with superb intonation; ART adapts to fingerboard radius.
- Paige Original/Clik-ETI: Wrap-behind bar stays on the neck above the nut; even pressure, minimal retune.
- D’Addario NS Tri-Action: Lightweight micro-adjust trigger; budget-friendly with better control.
- Thalia: Premium, artistic shells with interchangeable pads (radiused/flat) for perfect match and stage look.
- Partial/Creative capos: Explore drop-D and DADGAD-like voicings instantly.
Price Ranges (plan your buy)
- Value/entry trigger: ~$15–$25
- Mid-range adjustable/trigger: ~$25–$45
- Pro/precision & premium: ~$50–$120+ (G7th Heritage, Thalia, select Paige/Shubb)
(See each CME product page for exact compatibility, pad radius options, and weight.)
Quick Chooser (match your play style)
- Live, fast changes: Kyser Quick-Change or G7th Performance 3
- Studio intonation stickler: Shubb or Paige (screw/ETI)
- Multiple guitars/radii: G7th ART or Thalia (swappable pads)
- Classical: Shubb C2 / G7th Classical (flat)
- 12-string: Kyser 12-String, Shubb C3, G7th 12-String
- Creative voicings: Partial capo
Why Buy Capos from Chicago Music Exchange
Chicago Music Exchange has the best selection of guitar capos available—acoustic, electric, classical, 12-string, and partial—from Kyser, Shubb, G7th, D’Addario, Dunlop, Paige, Thalia, and more.
- Curated assortment for intonation and fit
- Detailed compatibility notes and fast shipping
- Real-world guidance to match capo → radius → neck width → genre
Guitar Capo FAQs
What’s the best guitar capo for acoustic vs electric?
For acoustic guitar capos, choose radiused models with adjustable tension (Shubb/G7th) for perfect intonation. For electric, low-profile designs keep your hand clear; triggers are great live.
Do I need a classical guitar capo?
Yes—classicals have flat fingerboards. Use a flat-pad classical capo (Shubb C2, G7th Classical).
Why does my capo make chords go sharp?
Too much pressure or the wrong radius. Pick screw-adjustable designs and ensure radiused vs flat matches your guitar.
What’s a partial capo and why use one?
It clamps select strings to simulate alternate tunings (drop-D/DADGAD textures) without retuning—great for songwriting and live variety.
Are 12-string capos different?
Yes—wider bars and balanced pads maintain even pressure across all strings for clean jangle without buzz.
Can I leave a capo on my headstock?
Briefly is fine; avoid long storage on nitro finishes and never leave a damp capo against the neck.
Which brands are most popular?
Search favorites include Kyser, Shubb, G7th, D’Addario/Planet Waves, Dunlop, Paige, and Thalia—all available at CME.
Kyser Capos
Kyser Capos have earned their place on stages and in studios around the world for one simple reason: reliability you never have to think twice about. Handcrafted in Texas, each Kyser Quick-Change capo is built to deliver consistent tension, smooth action, and road-tested durability, whether you’re switching keys mid-set or locking in a delicate acoustic part in the studio.
Musicians love Kyser for their intuitive, one-handed design—an innovation that reshaped how guitarists use capos in performance. The spring-loaded mechanism grips securely without pinching or pulling your strings out of tune, while the lightweight aluminum construction keeps it unobtrusive, even on long sessions. From acoustic and electric guitars to ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and 12-string, Kyser offers tailored models that honor the nuances of each instrument.
Kyser’s colorways and finishes have also become part of their appeal. From classic black to vibrant limited runs, they’re a subtle way to add personality to your gear without sacrificing function. And because they’re built to last, many players hold onto the same Kyser for years—earning the brand a reputation as a “buy once” essential in any gig bag.
Shubb Capos
Shubb Capos have long been celebrated for one defining quality: absolute precision. Since 1980, Shubb has built its reputation on a unique lever-and-over-center locking mechanism that delivers unmatched tuning stability. Where other capos rely on brute clamping force, Shubb focuses on finesse—carefully engineered pressure that mirrors the natural feel of the fretting hand. The result is a capo that holds securely without pulling notes sharp, preserving the character and clarity of your instrument.
Players across genres appreciate the subtlety of Shubb’s design. The roller mechanism creates a smooth, controlled action, letting you set the exact tension you want—ideal for studio sessions, alternate tunings, and any setting where intonation is non-negotiable. Crafted from premium materials like stainless steel, brass, and aerospace-grade aluminum, each Shubb capo is built to endure years of use while maintaining its refined, tactile feel.
Shubb also offers specialized models for steel-string, nylon-string, electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele, ensuring that every instrument benefits from the brand’s meticulous approach. Their sleek profile keeps the capo unobtrusive, letting your technique—and tone—take the spotlight.