Think of music as being built up of layers: melody is one, bass note another.
A banjo fifth string capo allows you to lift the fifth fret of your instrument to play in different keys without needing to retune. It consists of a thin rail which screws directly onto the neck with an adjustable finger that can be tightened with a thumbscrew for precise tuning control.
Lever Capo
Lever capos on the fifth string are used by banjo players to create “A tuning”, with frets 5, 6, 7 and 8 playing as necessary for many old-time fiddle tunes. This type of capo is commonly used on the initial set of frets and requires practice to use effectively.
An easy and cost-effective way to capo the fifth string on your banjo is slipping it under a screw inserted in its neck. While this technique works effectively, some fine tuning may be necessary after usage; therefore, its end should be slanted for easier string slipping under.
Another method involves the use of a metal bar which screws into the side of your neck, though this option may be more costly and difficult to remove than its Railroad Spike counterpart.
Riddlefit Capo Company recently introduced a revolutionary capo to the market that has quickly become a hit among many banjoists, thanks to its easy installation process and no damage done to their instrument.
Capo’s are small pieces of brass bent into L-shapes that attach securely to the headstock of a banjo with two washers, and then wrapped around each fifth string, while fretting it with one finger over its lever. When needed, this provides enough pressure to fret the string without muted sound, with Janet Davis Music offering various length options; I highly recommend this device and also find that spike capos may contribute too much string sharpness; Janet Davis offers this capo.
Suspender Capo
One of the easiest capos to attach and take off without altering your banjo is this small device for its fifth string: it consists of an elastic band with tiny metal hooks on each string, covered by rubber-like material to avoid damage to fingerboard and placed between nut and tuning peg as shown.
This fast-acting capo can be particularly helpful to players who use their fifth string for melodic banjo songs and improvisation, and who require fretting the fifth string without changing its pitch when compared to other strings. Unfortunately, however, its disadvantages include altering tone and feel as well as difficulty using it if used to playing above 5th fret or so.
Like its Shubb counterpart, this sliding model consists of a thin rail attached to one side of your banjo neck with an adjustable mechanical “finger” attached that loosens with a thumbscrew to slide along its rail until reaching your desired fret. Available in both short (which covers about five frets) and long versions covering seven to eight frets respectively, this capo makes an excellent starting point for beginners exploring capos before investing more permanently (such as spikes or levers). Plus it’s quick and simple installation/removal! When used correctly there should be no damage done to their instruments when used properly!
Spike Capo
Small spikes shaped like model railroad spikes have become one of the most widely used ways to capo the fifth string. Their ease of use, out-of-the-way design and lack of an impactful tuning change make them popular choices; plus they can quickly make key changes on demand! They’re inexpensive and easily installed by most places that service banjos; though be wary if these devices pull the string sharp or cause premature string breakage due to incorrect installation procedures.
An alternative option for 5th string capo is a sliding Shubb capo, a thin rail attached to one side of your banjo neck with screws that is then used to adjust its mechanical finger with thumbscrews to reach any fret on your instrument. Quick and easy to apply one handed; they can even be adjusted into position more accurately with practice, being durable enough even on hard fretted banjo necks.
Some players opt not to use a banjo capo at all, instead preferring instead to slip their fifth string under a small hook that has been permanently installed into the fingerboard. Janet Davis Acoustic Music sells such hooks which come complete with drawstring carrying bags large enough for accommodating your banjo capo. Using this approach requires retuning, and may cause strings to snap prematurely if used incorrectly.
Spike Bar
The spike capo is considered the gold standard among fifth string capos, being small yet effective and easy to install and remove from any banjo neck when not required. Available in different lengths to cover any fret on the neck, it can be installed by virtually anyone who knows how to use a screw driver and can also help players transpose songs between keys as it can be placed very close to frets while still clamping securely down.
An alternative non-permanent way of capping the 5th string is slipping the string under one of the tiny hooks installed permanently in the extra nut. These are very straightforward and inexpensive methods of installing, especially with someone experienced working on banjos nearby; Janet Davis Acoustic Music offers hooks specifically for this use while expert luthier Frank Ford offers detailed instructions for installation.
As another method to capo the fifth string, another way is to slide a short screw beneath it just behind a fret, so its head hits against the fretboard edge and lifts up above it like a nut. While this method might take practice to master, some players find this style easier than lever or hook caps because of its cheap nature and accessibility from hardware stores – suitable even with fretless models!
Shubb Fifth String Capo
Shubb’s banjo sliding fifth string capo has long been one of their best-selling products, drawing praise from professional players as one of their go-to accessories. Operating on a lever principle rather than spring pressure, it applies exactly the right amount of tension without muddling tone. Plus it slides on an unobtrusive, dovetailed bar mounted flush to the neck – making this an attractive and sturdy option! It has been produced for more than four decades!
While many capos mess with your intonation and require frequent retuning sessions, the Shubb fifth string capo does not. Its soft rubber pad works like fingertip to gently bend strings over frets without forcing them over them forcefully; and its closing action was designed to mimic hand motion without pulling strings off center when closing; eliminating the need to retune after applying this capo.
Its sliding feature allows you to position it at any fret on your banjo neck, making it very versatile and simple to use. Quickly apply between songs without stopping to retune; available in nickel or brass options with just two screws needed for attachment to neck.
Though we recommend having your banjo installed by a professional luthier or someone familiar with its construction, installing this capo yourself at home should be relatively straightforward if you possess basic tools and are patient when taking your time. We provide detailed installation instructions with every capo; should any assistance or clarification be necessary during installation process our friendly customer service team are always here to help!