Music

Tapo combines tuner and capo

Tapo combines tuner and capo
The Studio Series Tapo from Editors Keys
The Studio Series Tapo from Editors Keys
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Pre-sale version of the Tapo combined capo and tuner
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Pre-sale version of the Tapo combined capo and tuner
Boxed and ready to ship
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Boxed and ready to ship
The Studio Series Tapo weighs just 96 g, including the CR2032 battery
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The Studio Series Tapo weighs just 96 g, including the CR2032 battery
Tapo features a 36 mm long, 21 mm high LCD display with LED backlights that show red when a string is out of tune, and green when it's at pitch
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Tapo features a 36 mm long, 21 mm high LCD display with LED backlights that show red when a string is out of tune, and green when it's at pitch
The tuning range runs from A0 (27.5 Hz) to C8 (4,186 Hz) with an accuracy of ±0.5 percent
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The tuning range runs from A0 (27.5 Hz) to C8 (4,186 Hz) with an accuracy of ±0.5 percent
When the device's standard curved-shaped capo bar is spring-clamped on the strings, the chromatic mode can be used for fine tuning
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When the device's standard curved-shaped capo bar is spring-clamped on the strings, the chromatic mode can be used for fine tuning
Tapo can also be attached to the head to provide standard tuning for bass and guitar
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Tapo can also be attached to the head to provide standard tuning for bass and guitar
The Studio Series Tapo from Editors Keys
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The Studio Series Tapo from Editors Keys
View gallery - 8 images

By far the quickest way to uniformly raise the pitch of all strings on a guitar is to plonk a capo on the neck. Even then, some songs call for a bit of tricky tuning to get things just right, which means diving into the gig bag only to find that you've left your faithful tuner at home. Editors Keys has combined capo and tuner for the Tapo, which can be clamped across the strings to check the tuning in the newly-chosen key, or positioned at the head for open reference tuning.

The tuner part of the Studio Series Tapo features a 36 mm long, 21 mm high (1.4 x 0.8 in) LCD display with LED backlights that show red when your string needs some attention, and a cheerful green when you're at pitch. The tuning range runs from A0 (27.5 Hz) to C8 (4,186 Hz) with an accuracy of ±0.5 percent, and the unit sports A4 calibration control between 430 Hz and 450 Hz.

"The A4 Calibration means that you can accurately adjust the tuning function if you are retuning for sharp or flat notes," explains the company's Giles Bursnell. "The 'concert pitch' frequency for the A string is exactly 440 Hz. With A4 Calibration, you are able to minus or add hertz accordingly, should you require slightly different tuning."

The Studio Series Tapo weighs just 96 g, including the CR2032 battery
The Studio Series Tapo weighs just 96 g, including the CR2032 battery

The chromatic mode is not the only tuning function available on the Tapo, as Bursnell told us that a Guitar Mode has been included as a reference for the standard tuning of a bass or guitar when attached to the head of the instrument. Once the device's standard curved-shaped capo bar (which has been designed to accommodate flat or rounded fingerboards) is spring-clamped on the strings, the chromatic mode can then be used for fine tuning.

Tapo is powered by an included CR2032 (3 V) battery that's reported to be good for months of regular tune-ups, and which can be replaced by the user when drained. It tips the scales at an all-in 96 g (3.4 oz), and is available now for €39.99 (about US$53). Worldwide shipping is available and, at the time of writing, Editors Keys is running an introductory offer that knocks €20 off the ticket price.

Product page: Tapo

View gallery - 8 images
3 comments
3 comments
Jon A.
You could get an electronic tuner and a capo for half that much, and they'd be more compact as well.
Phlippy
Looks like this is one more 'Seemed like a good idea at the time'. No doubt it will sell despite looking clunky on stage and probably getting in the road of your fretting hand. It's also dearer than separate options and yet again uses green/red lights so is problematic for colourblind musicians. Yes we do exist and there are plenty of us. If you're really afraid that you'll forget the tuner or capo just buy a second one of each to keep in the guitar case, Capos come for $2.87 (free shipping) and a backup tuner is ultra cheap too. Q: Anyway what happened to a tuning fork and a bit of harmonic tuning? (A: gen X, Y etc,...)?
warren52nz
Huh? I've had a capo with built in tuner for about 2 years now. Different brand too.