Aug 30
Can I use a guitar capo on a ukulele?
Yes, you can, but it’s not idea.
I admit, I do it all the time. It’s a simple matter of maths. I have three guitar capos and one ukulele capo. I usually use the first one that comes to hand. For the most part, a guitar capo – depending on the capo itself – will do the job. However, it is much larger than necessary and will get in the way of your playing. It’s worth investing in a smaller capo just for your uke.
Buying a Ukulele Capo
There are plenty of ukulele capos around. However, these tend to be the cheap, wrap around type. They do the job OK, but if you want a better quality capo, buy a mandolin capo. Mandolin necks are roughly the same size as a ukulele neck, so their capos fit perfectly well. They also have higher quality level capos which can be put on and taken off quickly and easily and can be adjusted more accurately to the size of your ukulele’s neck.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I notice that the capo puts quite a bend on the strings. I’ve only done it a few times on my Baritone and was worried about screwing up the Aguila’s. Do you ever mess up the strings?
September 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
It’s not a problem I’ve had, Jeff. It might be that your capo is a little too tight.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Ah.. mandolin capo is a good idea. Why is it, though, that mandolin players can get quality tools for their inferior (to the almighty ukulele, anyway) instruments? Heh. I mean, sure, my ukulele might have only cost $20, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to treat it like it only cost $20.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Problem with a guitar capo is that it gets in the way. Try a guitar capo on the first fret of a soprano uke – it works. Now try and play an Fdim . . . .
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 am
Nice website, very informative. I really do like to read a lot about guitars, effects, amps and the likes, thats why i visit them a lot. Keep up the good work
February 17th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
# Ukulele guitar says:
October 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
“Ah.. mandolin capo is a good idea. Why is it, though, that mandolin players can get quality tools for their inferior (to the almighty ukulele, anyway) instruments? Heh. I mean, sure, my ukulele might have only cost $20, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to treat it like it only cost $20.”
I love playing my both my uke and my mandolin, but are you seriously saying the mandolin is inferior? What makes you think this exactly?