Get your G7th Performance 3 Capo Here
The G7th Performance 3 is no ordinary capo. This capo is the culmination of Nick Campling's design and thought. As the name implies, the G7th Capo Company have had a Performance 1 and Performance 2 model. They have been trying out new technologies along the way. For example, the Performance 2 has the UTC technology, but not the ART. The Performance 3 combines both these technologies (more on these below). They make big claims for this capo: this is "the most advanced capo ever made."
We find this to be an excellent capo. The technology really is impressive, and it equals the Shubb in avoiding intonation problems. We find that the tech factor may justify the higher price point, ultimately the Shubb serves just as well at this task. If however, you are a gear-head or a recoding and need pitch perfection, this capo will be very applying to you.
The Design: Unique Tension Control
Where are most capos dominate the strings of the guitar, this capo is designed to gently hug your guitar. The capo is shaped like a "D" with a hinge on the bottom side. The Unique Tension Control (UTC) refers to the fact that you can squeeze the capo on. Inside that hinge is a bunch of fancy stuff that allows the capo to grip the neck as you apply pressure on the outside. The mechanics seem quite elegant, and the intended result is that it will seem quite natural to squeeze it on and to squeeze it off. Another theoretical plus of this is that you will be able to apply the amount of pressure you want.
Now we have to say there have been mixed review for the UTC. Some have found this completely intuitive, while other have found it difficult to find the right amount of pressure. It will require a bit of care to put on correctly. We recommend using two hands. You will need to make sure it is dead centred. But if you can do this, you might just find the pay off is worth it, because of the next piece of technology.
The Adaptive Radius Technology (ART)
This is what Nick Campling and the guys are G7th are excited to tell you about. One of the problems of creating the perfect capo is that fretboards are not flat. If they were all straight pieces of metal, then all capos could be flat. Just looking at my handy Shubb I can see that the silicone piece is curved to match the fretboard. The next problems is that not all fretboards have the same curve. So getting a capo to do a nice-uniform seal on every guitar is a big ask. Some capos deal with this by apply an abundance of pressure (think the Kyser), but this can create intonation issues.
G7th has subsided a solid piece of silicon for an entire flexible mechanism that meets the fretboard. This is the ART. The actual mechanism is both flexible and stiff and conforms to the curvature of the guitar as it is pressed down.
Let us state for the record: this is an awesome design and it works. This capo does in fact represent a technological advance. When you put it on it will either completely eliminate intonation issues or they will be very slight. Congrats to the team at G7th!
Conclusion
In terms of style and look the capo is sleek and slender. It is aiming saying, "We are the Tesla of capos." There is some hype and some some reality to the advance of the G7th. If you are looking for something to get the job done, then this is not the capo for you. If however, you are sensitive to intonation issues, you are excited about excellence in design and you don't mind fussing a bit with getting it on, then we recommend you pick one up and let us know what you found.
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