I just got my fifth string capo from the store and I love it! However when I capo the bottom four strings on the second fret to play in the key of A they all run sharp. The fifth string is in tune but the bottom four are sharp. Do I need to adjust my bridge? I think my bridge is accurate because in G it is in tune all the way up the neck. Or do you merely have to retune when you play in a different key? Please help.
Need setup help
All my strings go sharp too on my Twanger when I capo but not on my Fender or my Stelling just the B string. I just retune them but would be interested to hear what @Jake has to say on this topic @BanjoBen .
That doesn’t surprise me at all. I would expect it to be a bit sharp, as you are increasing the tension on the strings. I don’t think it is uncommon to have to tweak the tuning after capoing. It will be varying amounts based on the action, truss rod setting, etc. I wouldn’t change the bridge, as you are not affecting the “math” of the fretboard, just the string tension.
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If you put the capo as close to the fret as possible, almost on top of it, the sharpness will be less. Also if the tension on your capo is adjustable and you only use the amount of tension you need to keep it in place, that can help too
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Are the bottom four strings in tune with each other but all equally sharp compared to the fifth string or are the bottom strings also no longer in tune with each other after capo’ing?
Have you checked the fifth string after placing the fifth string capo against a tuner? Is it right on pitch (A)?
Not on my Twanger
Make sure your capo is perfectly parallel to the fret as well, another words, straight across the fretboard and not crooked. Also like others mentioned the closer the the fret the better.
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Every banjo in the world will be sharp when you capo it. It’s also sharp if you just fret it with your finger. Some banjos are more than others and the string gauge may play the biggest role in sharpness–the lighter the gauge, the more sharp it’ll be. As long as they’re still in tune with each other, it’s normal. You can minimize by how you place capo and the amount of tension you use. Please go to my banjo course with Steve Huber and watch the capo video. It’s the best on the site for this.
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I’m amazed by Huber’s capo video. What a cool trick.
Months ago I watched all of Steve’s videos except this one. I thought, “eh, I know how to use a capo”. Wrongo.
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@BanjoBen
after reading this post I have a question
Can a proper set up of the bridge alleviate the sharp sounds when using a capo the reason I asked,
on my Open Back that I have been doing all the bridge test on I do not experience any of the sharp notes that others have stated while reading this post it got me to thinking
When I sat all the bridges up i followed a bridge set up that I found on Bart Veermans site that literally walks you through setting up a bridge and there is steps to set the intonation as well as steps to check to find out if your banjo requires a compensated bridge or not I followed all the steps to a tee every time I tried a different bridge and it was numerous again I do not have the sharp notes when I capo but this post started me questioning as to why.
Bridge height can affect it, yes, according to the neck angle. But here’s what I meant when I said all banjos are sharp when you capo (or even when you fret a string). If a string has to be pressed down ANY to make a clear note, it will have to be sharper than if it was tuned to that note openly. Now, it may not be noticeable to the ear, it may not even be readable on the average tuner, but it is sharper. When a string gets pressed down to meet a fret (either by capo or finger) it simply has to be sharper than if that fret instead raised to meet the string…know what I mean?
Some banjos are better than others because of action height, neck angle, and bridge height, with the biggest variable being string gauge in my experience.
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It also should be tight but doesn’t have to be crazy tight. The tighter the sharper in my opinion. Also the better quality the capo, usually the better tuning stability you’ll have. Everything helps trying to keep a banjo in tune 
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Do I ever. Over time and listening to my own recordings, I’ve gradually become more sensitive to over fretting (pressing too hard) that causes intonation issues. Over fretting can indeed exacerbate the problem and make an otherwise “in tune” instrument sound very out of tune. Be careful!
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