Capo question

[KrisH]

This is weird, but I think it means something.

On one of my guitars, placing a capo on the neck makes it sound better -- fuller. It changes the tone, not just the pitch. I don't know if I can really describe it, but it tends to sound flat and flabby when played with open strings and more resonate or sustaining, even deeper, when capoed. It doesn't matter whether it's on the first fret or the fifth.

Why would this be? Does it mean the nut is deficient? Or does it mean my imagination is way too overactive? Anyone?

 

[pes_laul]

how old are your strings?

 

[Rocket]

I have a Traveler Speedster and I often clamp a capo on the headless end to add some mass:

 

[KrisH]

The strings have been on for about 3 months. They are the D'Addario flat-tops, and still sound bright. They haven't been used heavily since they were put on.

Is mass at the headstock part of the equation? Or maybe a tightening the strings?

 

[marnold]

Try just clamping the capo to the headstock itself. If you still get that "magic sound" then headstock mass is your answer.

As I posted elsewhere I think my Floyd just sounds better tuned to Eb instead of standard tuning. I can't explain it. It doesn't make sense to me logically. It may be a placebo effect. I have no idea. But to me it sounds better. And, finally, since the only person I have to impress is me . . .