Introduction
Use basic skills and handy work to install a capo that will expand the library of tablature available to your musical abilities. A fifth string capo is intended to adjust the tuning of the fifth (G) string on the banjo without having to constantly adjust the fifth string tuning key.
This installation process can be pretty intimidating, but if you approach it cautiously and double check your measurements, this fix can be empowering and rewarding.
Parts
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Line the capo up along the fifth string side of the fretboard as shown.
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Line the capo screw holes up about 12 mm from the fifth fret bar and about 4 mm from the face of the fret.
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Use the drill to drill both holes for the two screws.
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The holes should be drilled about 1 cm deep
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To use the capo, slide the capo finger down to the desired fret.
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Then, tighten the spring knob.
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For more information check out the Shubb fifth string capo website at: http://www.shubb.com/fs/index.html
If possible, clamp the slide guide against the banjo and make sure the capo works well down the fretboard - then mark the holes. I found I had to angle mine a bit - more parallel to the string than the neck, because the strings get higher as they go down the banjo neck and you want to make sure the strings will not buzz against the capo arm when it is raised. (The “arm” has plenty of range to clamp down, but only raises up so far.)
danratner -
Thank you for this Sarah. I’m so happy to see this here on ifixit.
I have this capo in a drawer and now I will likely install it thanks to you.
Gratefully,
JohnZ
P.S. The drill bit size would be useful to know.
John Zipperer -