Shubb vs. Kat Eyz: Which Capo Is Right for Your Banjo

By Patrick David Sawyer | BanjoFAQ.com | Pisgah Banjo Company

Hey folks, Patrick here.

A capo is a small piece of equipment that gets a lot of use, especially in old-time music. Moving from G to A or double C to double D should be straightforward, and a good capo helps you make that change with less fuss.

We now offer two solid brass options: our new Pisgah C5B Shubb Capo and our Clawhammer Capo, handmade for us by Kat Eyz. Both let you dial in the pressure on the strings. The main differences are how they are made, how they fit around the neck, how you handle them between tunes, and price.

As a banjo manufacturer, we choose accessories that complement the instruments we build. These two capos offer different approaches to the same job, and there are good reasons to choose either one.

What Makes a Good Banjo Capo?

A capo holds the strings against a fret so you can play in a different key using familiar fingerings. Doing that cleanly takes the right fit and the right amount of pressure.

Too little pressure causes buzzing or muted notes. Too much can stretch the strings sharp. A capo can also pull strings sideways during installation, leaving you reaching for the tuners.

That’s why we like adjustable pressure. Both of these capos let you apply just enough force to get clear notes, with room to adjust for your banjo’s neck, strings, and setup.

The Kat Eyz: Handmade for Clawhammer Banjos

Our Clawhammer Capo is made exclusively for Pisgah by Kat Eyz Capos. Phil Wyatt is the maker behind Kat Eyz today, personally machining the parts in his shop—including the screws and hinge pins. This is individual shop craftsmanship, with careful attention to fit and function.

The Pisgah version addresses a practical issue: many banjo capos were designed around narrower necks. Open-back banjos often have wider fingerboards, and a capo that works on one banjo may feel cramped on another.

Our Kat Eyz has an inside width of 1⅝ inches and is designed to work through the fourth fret on our clawhammer banjos. Its leather-cushioned, V-shaped saddle cradles the back of the neck and helps keep the capo stable across different neck profiles.

How the Yoke Design Works

The Kat Eyz uses a yoke design, meaning the frame surrounds the neck when closed. A screw beneath the neck brings the padded saddle into contact with it, pressing the bar down onto the strings.

You adjust the pressure directly with the thumbscrew. When you change positions, loosen the screw, move the capo, and snug it back up.

One convenient feature is that you can park it behind the nut when it isn’t being used, provided there is enough clearance on your instrument. It stays with the banjo and is ready for the next tune.

For players who appreciate handmade equipment and like keeping their capo on the instrument, this design has a lot to offer.

The Shubb: A Proven Design With Banjo Roots

Shubb’s history starts with the banjo. Rick Shubb, a professional banjo player and teacher, founded the company with Dave Coontz in California in 1974. Their first product was a fifth-string banjo capo. The familiar Shubb lever capo followed in late 1979.

Our new Pisgah C5B offers that established design in solid brass, complete with Pisgah Banjo Company branding.

How the Open Design Works

The Shubb uses an open-sided design. Release the lever and the capo comes off from the side of the neck. There is no enclosing yoke to slide along the fingerboard.

A small adjustment screw sets the pressure, while the lever closes and releases the capo. Once adjusted for a particular position, you can remove and reapply it without turning the screw each time. Moving to a different part of the neck may require a small adjustment.

That combination makes the Shubb convenient for players who frequently take their capo completely off between tunes. Its compact shape also gives it a different feel around the fretting hand than a surrounding yoke.

The C5B is intended for flat fingerboards. If your banjo has a radiused fingerboard, choose a capo matched to that curve.

The Northfield Connection

There is another person behind Shubb’s manufacturing story worth mentioning: Adrian Bagale, co-founder of Northfield Mandolins.

Northfield began in 2007 and operates through a collaborative team with workshops in Marshall, Michigan, and Qingdao, China. Its approach centers on careful construction, consistency, and continued refinement. That focus on quality is something we appreciate as instrument builders ourselves.

Adrian also played an important role in Shubb’s production. In Shubb’s own history, Rick explains that he approached Adrian when the company needed a manufacturing partner who could meet its standards. Adrian’s team produced an exceptionally accurate sample, then established a dedicated Qingdao shop and crew making Shubb capos.

That attention to detail is part of what gives us confidence in offering the Shubb. Good manufacturing depends on the people doing the work, the process they follow, and the standards applied to the finished product.

Handmade vs. Production Manufacturing

The Kat Eyz and Shubb represent two different approaches to making a dependable tool.

With the Kat Eyz, you are purchasing a capo personally made by a craftsman in a small American shop. Its higher price reflects the time and individual attention involved in machining, fitting, and finishing each piece.

The Shubb gives players a more affordable option while retaining solid brass construction, adjustable pressure, and a proven design. Efficient production helps keep the price accessible while delivering the quality we look for in an everyday capo.

Handmade does not mean made without machines. Phil uses mills, lathes, and fixtures to produce Kat Eyz capos accurately. The distinction is the scale of production and the maker’s involvement in each piece.

Both are quality options. The choice comes down to your budget, your preferred mechanism, and how much you value individually made equipment.

How Do They Compare?

Whichever design you choose, a little care when putting it on can save a lot of tuning.

1. Place it just behind the fret. Avoid setting it halfway between frets, where more pressure may be needed.
2. Keep the strings straight. Make sure the capo does not drag them sideways as it closes.
3. Use the minimum pressure needed. Start lightly and increase pressure until every string rings clearly.
4. Check your tuning. Adjustable pressure helps, but no capo guarantees perfect tuning on every banjo.
5. Adjust the fifth string separately. These capos handle the four long strings on a conventional five-string banjo. Use your preferred fifth-string capo or spikes as needed.

If your banjo consistently goes noticeably sharp with a capo, the setup may deserve a look. Nut slot height, action, string choice, and bridge placement can all affect the result.

Why We Chose the Pisgah Shubb Capo

As a banjo manufacturer, we put a lot of thought into the accessories we recommend. A capo should fit our necks, apply pressure accurately, and be easy to use. We selected the Pisgah C5B Shubb because it brings those qualities together in a dependable, affordable package.

Made of solid brass and carrying the Pisgah Banjo Company branding, this capo complements our instruments in both appearance and function. The adjustable pressure and convenient lever mechanism make it a practical companion for everyday playing, jam sessions, and the stage.

We’re curating accessories that work well with the banjos we build, and this is our choice for players looking for a quality, affordable capo. Our handmade Kat Eyz remains an excellent option for those who prefer a yoke design and individual shop craftsmanship.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the Kat Eyz Clawhammer Capo if you value individual craftsmanship, prefer a yoke design, and like having your capo stay with the banjo between tunes. Its generous width and V-shaped saddle were chosen with clawhammer banjos in mind.

Choose the Pisgah C5B Shubb Capo if you want a quality solid brass capo at a more affordable price, with a compact, open design and convenient lever operation. It offers dependable performance and precise pressure adjustment at an accessible price.

We offer both because players have different preferences. Some enjoy loosening a thumbscrew and sliding a familiar yoke into place. Others want to flip a lever and put the capo away. Either way, a properly fitted and adjusted capo should let you spend more time playing and less time tuning.

Explore the Pisgah C5B Shubb Capo and our handmade Kat Eyz Clawhammer Capo.