My Grip of the Day
by Scott Terry
Two phenomena in live music have begun to bother me lately. One is the reluctance of guitarists to use capos on their acoustic or acoustic-electric guitars. The other one is the insistence that tuning down a half a step is the new standard pitch.
1. Capos are not for sissies. Guitarists use capos on acoustic guitars to give them a more natural, open voice—not because they are incapable of playing barre chords! That being said, I'm not opposed to anybody who prefers not to use a capo on their acoustic, just don't try to claim superiority to the guy or gal who does use one. It actually takes more knowledge to effectively use a capo; you have to understand how open, barre and capoed chords interrelate in order to be able to find the proper voicing for the song or style of music that you are playing if you are a capo user.
2. Tuning to 440 is called "standard pitch" because it is the standard. Again, I'm not opposed to tuning down a half step, a whole step or more, just don't act like that is the way or the only way. Much like the aforementioned use of a capo on an acoustic guitar, de-tuning can add a very powerful voice to a gain-laden electric guitar; however, please leave your attitude about it at the door.
From a guitar setup guy's standpoint, dropping the tension down a half step or more can throw off the proper amount of relief in the neck, the intonation, action, etc., so make sure your guitar is properly adjusted. If you are using a Floyd Rose or other locking tremolo, you can certainly understand this concept.
Much like the ill-fated seven-string guitar, de-tuning down a step and a half is a fad. It will probably, sooner or later, fade almost into oblivion and everybody will go back to tuning standard. "But dude, rock music sounds heavier and darker when the guitars are tuned down ..." I get it, I get it ... now shut up and go listen to your diverse musical influences, which I'm sure range all the way from Puddle of Mudd to Nickelback.
Paige Six-String Guitar Capo
This new little wonder is used by world-class studio musicians and award-winning guitarists. The Paige capo is ultra-thin to complement the instrument and moves quickly and easily. Simply apply the minimum pressure needed until the strings voice clearly, and the controlled tension ensures there's no buzz or string muting. To save time, you can even store it behind the nut when not in use.
Planet Waves NS Capo
Ned Steinberger, the famed product designer, worked with Planet Waves to design this innovative patent-pending capo. The result is a capo that's strong yet lightweight, with one-handed operation that allows extremely precise intonation. The NS Capo is made of a sleek, ultra-light aerospace aluminum that adds virtually no weight to the neck of your guitar. Plus it has a smooth micrometer screw to ensure the perfect pressure for buzz-free performance at every fret. Works with six- and 12-string guitars with a simple, convenient single-handed operation that makes it perfect for any guitarist, whether you're a beginner or a professional.
Korg GA-30 Guitar/Bass Tuner
I just bought one of these and I love it! With a MAP of $14.99, I will likely end up getting several of these and putting them in various places so I'm never without a tuner. The GA-30 features a high-precision LCD needle-type meter. It has an internal speaker that produces the tuning reference tone. A high-sensitivity internal mic is included in the design for tuning acoustic guitars. Auto power off and low power draw will provide very long battery life. And, if you must de-tune, the GA-30 will take you all the way down to five semitones flat.
