plain brass, original design

Model C7 and C7B.

I was introduced to the concept of partial capoing many years ago by the great acoustic 
guitarist Harvey Reid and by Jeff Hickey, who developed the Third Hand capo 
(an elastic capo designed exclusively for partial capoing). These guys both were users of
Shubb capos for "regular" capoing, but were WAY into the possibilities of partial capoing. 
In addition to using a Third Hand, I noticed that Harvey had modified one of his Shubb capos 
by cutting it down so that it skipped the outside string and covered only the next three. 
He got some really wonderful sounds with this partial capo. Shortly thereafter I saw Chris 
Proctor using one he had customized, evidently inspired by Harvey.

A few years later I met Adrian Legg, who was introduced to me by John Pearse as
"the best guitar player in Europe," which is no exaggeration. I noticed that he, too, was using a 
sawed-off Shubb capo quite a lot, as an integral part of his amazing guitar style.

Adrian, Harvey, Chris, and Jeff had urged me for quite some time to put an end to this wanton 
mutilation of Shubb capos, and to actually make one ourselves that would do the job.

It wasn't good enough to just cut off a portion of our guitar capo; we built a crook into the 
frame that allows the capo to clearly skip the outside string without buzzing, while 
covering the next three. Then we altered the pad to line up with this new geometry. 
We nicknamed the odd looking new capo the Dogleg because of its angular bend. 
We didn't use that name officially when it went to market, but for a few years we 
still called it the Dogleg around the shop.

In 1995 we introduced our partial capo, and it has been growing in popularity ever since.

It skips the outside string and covers the next three, either 2-3-4 or 5-4-3 (emulating DADGAD tuning)
See image 'tuning'
Partial capoing is NOT the same as open 

Steel String Guitar
fits most acoustics and electrics

Capo Noir now includes the design features previously available only on our stainless steel models!

• Roller design - smoother action, superior geometry, reduced wear
• Rounded edges - softer to the touch
• Contoured lever - easier to use

 	
For years our most commonly requested combination of features has been "can I get the Shubb capo in 
black with the roller?" Well, now you can.

Machined of brass and plated in black chrome, this stunningly beautiful capo will be the
choice of anyone who prefers an elegant and inconspicuous look onstage or off. 
Perfect for instruments with black hardware or any dark finished instrument, and a must 
have for anyone who likes the stealth look!
 
Roller mechanism
The roller mechanism equalizes the dropoff across the full range of the capo.
Because the roller head adjusts upward on an arc (as opposed to a straight line) it moves inward toward 
the center curve of the middle piece of the capo as it is tightened - so it does not move further past 
center when it is set tighter. This maintains a relationship between the moving parts that results in the same, 
ideal amount of dropoff at any point within the capo's working range.
So you get the ideal amount of dropoff on a thin neck, on a thick neck, and all those in between... 
and on different parts of the same neck.