GB2374197A

GB2374197A - Truncated capo tasto

Info

Publication number: GB2374197A
Application number: GB0101930A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Colin Woodland; Jim Tait; Michael Tulloch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-25
Filing date: 2001-01-25
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Also published as: GB0101930D0

Abstract

A capo tasto comprises an arcuate spring member 10, a string pad 12 at one end of the spring member, and an offset pad 14 on the inner surface of the arcuate spring member adjacent to the string pad. Locating means, such as a friction sleeve 16 may be provided at the other end of the spring member. The capo may be used to engage one or more strings.

Description

TRUNCATED CAPO TASTO This invention is concerned with a truncated capo tasto.

A capo tasto is a device used with a musical string instrument, typically for example, a guitar and functions to reduce the effective length of the strings. While there are many variations on the basic design a typical capo tasto encircles the fingerboard of the instrument and, when secured in position by a system of levers or screws, engages the strings to stop them and permit them to be played only at positions between the capo and the bridge of the instrument. Such capo tastos have the disadvantage that they are not easy to secure in position or to remove, and thus limit the notes available to the player until there is a break in the music sufficient to allow the player to locate or remove the capo tasto if desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved capo tasto.

The present invention is a capo tasto comprising an arcuate spring member, a string pad at one end of the spring member, and an offset pad on the inner surface of the arcuate spring member adjacent to the string pad.

Locating means such as a friction sleeve may be provided on the other end of the spring member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of a capo tasto according to the present invention for use on a guitar.

Referring now to the drawing, a capo tasto according to the present invention comprises an arcuate spring member or clip 10 which has at one end a string pad 12 and, adjacent to the string pad 12, an offset pad 14. At the other end of the clip 10 locating means, in this embodiment a friction sleeve 16, is provided on the clip to provide grip between the clip and the side of the fingerboard of the instrument. The string pad 12 is cushioned, typically it has a surface intended to replicate the texture and feel of a human finger, and the offset pad 14 is made of a resilient material, in this embodiment rubber.

The clip is in general shaped to approximate to the shape of the underside of the fingerboard of the instrument with which it is intended to be used, but the effective diameter is slightly smaller. The contact points between the fingerboard and the clip are the underside of the pad 12, the pad 14 and the friction sleeve 16.

In use the capo tasto is clipped to the underside of the fingerboard of the instrument and, because its effective diameter is slightly smaller, it grips the edges of the fingerboard. The friction sleeve 16 thus grips one edge of the fingerboard and the offset pad 14 ensures that the string pad 12 is pressed down onto the first string of the instrument, for example the E string of a guitar. While in position the capo tasto acts as an additional finger and allows more complex music to be played. In particular, and in contrast with existing capo tastos, the string engaged by the string pad 12 can be played above the capo tasto, i. e. between the capo tasto and the bridge, and all other strings can be played above, below, and adjacent to the capo tasto. It should also be noted that the capo tasto according to the present invention can be fitted in position, or removed, quickly and easily and by one hand if necessary.

Capo tastos according to the present invention can be effectively used at various positions on the fingerboard and can be oriented to engage either the top or the bottom string of the instrument. The embodiment described may be modified to engage simultaneously more than one string on the instrument but not all of them.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A capo tasto comprising an arcuate spring member, a string pad at one end of the spring member, and an offset pad on the inner surface of the arcuate spring member adjacent to the string pad.
2. A capo tasto as claimed in claim 1, in which locating means is provided on the other end of the spring member.
3. A capo tasto as claimed in claim 2, in which the locating means is a friction sleeve.
4. A capo tasto as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the string pad is cushioned.
5. A capo tasto as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the offset pad is made of a resilient material.
6. A capo tasto as claimed in claim 5, in which the offset pad is made of rubber.
7. A capo tasto substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.