While few players regularly use capos on a standard mandolin, it’s not uncommon to see them on an octave mandolin. With their longer scales and bigger tonal range, octave mandolins are a bit more like a guitar in that a capo can be used to make playing in certain keys easier or to move an existing arrangement to a different key without changing the fingering. A capo can also be a creative tool, opening the instrument to different tonalities and making more open strings available than when playing without a capo. 

Shubb’s Fine Tune capo ($80) is made for guitar, but its self-centering yoke-style design makes it a great fit for the octave mandolin. The capo is made of stainless steel; it has Shubb’s typical silicone padding; and it’s easy to adjust the tension with its ergonomically designed knob.

In this video, Peghead Nation instructor Joe K. Walsh demonstrates the Shubb Fine Tune capo on a Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin, talks about why he likes using it and offers tips on installing and placing the capo on the neck. 

To study octave mandolin and mandolin with Joe K. Walsh on Peghead Nation, enroll in his Octave Mandolin, Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites, Swing and Jazz Mandolin, Improvising for Mandolin and Fiddle, or The Advancing Mandolinist courses!

Shubb.com

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