G7th Newport 3 Steel String Partial Guitar Capo - Silver, 30mm - Lightweight & Low Profile - Acoustic and Electric Guitars - Easy Flip Lever with Fine-Tune Adjustment - Unlock Open Tunings

Needed a replacement for my Kyser Quick Change capo that busted a spring. I play in an environment (a pit) that requires a quick change of keys on short notice between several guitars. Most of the time I do not need a capo so I choose to have one that fits all of my guitars (except a 12 string that has its own). The reviews for this capo seemed positive, including ease and quickness of applying it, so I decided to give it a try. I also did not want to purchase the Kyser due to the spring failure. Other than the spring, the Kyser is a fine capo too.Applying it is as simple as it looks on the G7 website illustrated with videos. The capo clamps on similar to the Kyser (or any other spring loaded quick change capo). The difference is after closing the capo on the neck, the tension adjustment adds additional pressure to eliminate any buzzing, and the adjustment also allows more flexibility with placement between frets. The capo can be centered or close to a fret and any buzzing can be eliminated. If you apply the capo to the same guitar and similar location within the fret position, you do not have to adjust the tension each time. I find by habit I adjust the tension each time since this is still very quick to do.I use this on the following guitars and strings: Taylor 310CE with light polyweb elixirs; Martin D28 with Medium (phosphor bronze always varying manufacturer), Takamine CD132SC Nylon string D'Addario Pro Arte normal tension. I have tried it on a Taylor 354 12 string (light elixir polyweb) and it sounds fine on that too. The point is this capo works well across various tensions/gauges and neck widths.Some of the complaints have been where to put the capo. I keep it in a pouch with the music so I do not have this problem. I do not place capos on the guitar unless I am using it. The size makes it easy to put in a pocket. This is not an issue for me.

I am not any professional musician, but I do play at my church sometimes. For a long time I always used the Kyser spring-type capos, which are easy and versatile, but they will throw off your tuning because the high tension will make strings go sharp (some more than others). Eventually, I read about these nicer capos, and tried the G7th Performance capo, but I didn't like it because you have to learn just how hard to squeeze it on each time. If it's not on hard enough you'll get string buzz. Not a huge deal for many people, but I didn't really like that design.The Newport is perfect for me. The knob adjusts how tight it is when it is closed, so if you know you're going to be using it on a certain fret you can have it adjusted for that fret ahead of time. In practice I just usually leave the knob adjusted for capo 2 or 3 on my guitar, since that's most often where I'm using it. Also, it is much lighter in weight than the Performance, although it doesn't feel flimsy. By the way, I'm using it on a Taylor acoustic guitar.To review how it works, the bottom silver part of the jaw can be closed (as pictured) or opened. When you swing it down to open, the black rubber part of it opens slightly as well through the action of a small pin (hard to explain). The silver knob adjusts the precise position that the black rubber closes to. So to put it on the guitar, you open the silver jaw, slide it over the strings, and close it to position. It stays there until you pull open the edge of the silver jaw. If it's too loose or too tight, you can use the knob to adjust tension. If you get it adjusted the way you want for a certain fret on a certain guitar, then you can open the jaw, take it off, and when you put it back on it will be at the same tension.I just have two minor complaints: you can't do any partial capo tricks like a drop-D capo, because the bottom rubber pad has to fit on the center of the underside of the neck. And it doesn't stay clamped on the headstock if you like keeping your capo handy there while playing. Those are just things that users of spring-based capos tend to get used to. I keep an extra Kyser for doing any partial capos, or for when friends play my guitar and don't want to figure out the Newport. (But they should try it! It's so much better!)The way the pin is designed, I wouldn't be surprised if it wears down or fails eventually. But I've been using it for six months or so and it seems very solid still.

Someone swiped my Kyser... Oh, I am sure it was in error and that person is wondering where they got it from. I enjoyed the Kyser. I liked several models of the Dunlop over the years also. Then, I spent a few more dollars and purchase the G7 Newport; my first G7.First, it's not for my classical guitar; only works with a Western style neck. It fits my Martin just fine and works just great! The string buzz is easily adjusted away using the thumb screw and tightening the clamp just a little. There is no dull thud on some of the strings as I occasionally had with the Dunlops. This capo provides the cleanest sound across the frets of any Capo I've had. Very clean.A few notes on the Newport G7: It's built well. However, it's not built like those heavy G7's that double just fine as a carabiner. This one is so small on the neck of your guitar that it's never in the way as you might find with the Kyser or several other models. Also it's NOT a one size fit's all like most of the $15 or less Capos with no tension adjustment and only a spring. It is nicely adjustable depending on the weight of your strings. Yes, if you screw the thing really tight you might bend it up I suppose as some have said in reviews. Why would you do that anyway? Just position it correctly and adjust gently and you won't have any buzzing or dull strings. The strings shine very nicely with this clamp; not to hard, not to soft! I suspect this thing will last me many many years of great service! I think I love this capo. It's the best one I've ever owned!