I chose the Elliot over the McKinney for two reasons:

1.) I like the design of the part that clamps on the back of the neck better. It has the two holes that ride along the side of the capo, which just seems like it's a more stable design to me.

2.) I use a Hercules guitar stand. This is the stand that hangs the guitar from the neck at the nut, and the weight of the guitar causes fingers to close around the neck. I don't want the guitar hanging from the capo, so I got the push-button style so it would be easier to take on and off.

I have an Elliot for my H&D (1 23/32" nut). I just ordered an Elliot-McKinney for my Collings D1SB (1 11/16"). I will be interested to see the differences in these great capos.

I slide the capo to the first fret when its going into the case and to the second fret when its going on the hercules stand.

GP- Phill Elliott just made me a deeper version of the Elliott capo so that it wouldn't make contact with the bevels on the back of the headstock. Be sure to tell him what guitar its going to be used on.

Maybe it's the type of music I play, but it always surprises me that anyone would leave a capo on a guitar when it's not in use. What is the benefit of this? I use a capo on 3 or 4 songs in a night of 45-50 songs and I take it off when I'm not using it. I never want anything on my guitar like a tuner, pick-holder, capo, or cigarette, unless you want the cool obligatory headstock burn like Clapton . Anyway, is it the design of the Elliot that makes it easier to leave on than take off?

Can't speak for everyone, but if you're playing bluegrass or old time you're mostly playing in 5 or 6 keys (D,G,C,A,E and sometimes F), and the quickest way to be fast, I've learned from watching others, is to play out of C or G position with the capo in the right place. I'm not there yet, though I have hope. Anyway, I use the capo probably 50% of the the time.

Elliotts are designed to be able to be stored directly over the nut, where its only slightly in the way. I wouldn't attach any of those other things to a guitar either. As to leaving it on, I dropped a capo on a guitar once, and I've misplaced/lost more capos than I'd like to admit, so this approach does have benefits for me anyway.

arcane,
Your explanation makes some sense, except the part about "only slightly in the way". I don't want anything in the way, so it seems easier to take it off. At 50% though, I see your reason for leaving it on (even if I wouldn't).

Uh, when my Elliot is tucked behind the nut, it is completely out of the way. I'm never aware of my left hand touching it at all. Don't see how this could be a problem....

BTW, for those who prefer to remove the capo from time to time, the push button release on the Elliot-McKinney works to perfection. It's an easier release compared to the Elliot, and that's why of the two I prefer the E-K. Course, if you never remove it.......

Well, I find that any capo is always slightly in the way, even if only because my hand moves too much on a slide or a change, or I'm using the 3rd and 4th fingers to make a first position chord and the index and middle are waving around for the moment, or something. I learn to deal with it, usually.

The smallest capo I've ever seen is the Sterner. Sterner Its pretty hard to notice that one, but I didn't like the metal to wood contact, even though it never left a mark on the guitar. This is a great site for capo history and usage information, btw.

The photo at the bottom of the Elliott page shows the capo in storage position. Most of the time I don't notice it. All that touches the guitar is leather, and the plastic tube only touches the strings. And yes, they're pricey, but I don't expect to have to buy another capo unless of course I buy another guitar.
Elliott

This message has been edited. Last edited by: arcane,

quote:

the push button release on the Elliot-McKinney works to perfection. It's an easier release compared to the Elliot, and that's why of the two I prefer the E-K.

I believe that the Elliot is the one with the push-button release. The Elliot-McKinney has a latch release.

Guitarpath, you are correct sir; the Elliott is the one with the push button locking system. I also managed to get Phil's name wrong; its Elliott, not Elliot. My apologies to all. To avoid any more of my errors , please refer to Phil's website at www.elliottcapos.com.

Does anyone know where to get colored tubing for the Elliotts? I checked the auto parts stores in town and all they have is the clear that it comes with.