Posted by Randy Escobedo on September 20, 19102 at 00:13:01:
In Reply to: Re: ruben capo posted by Randy Escobedo on September 19, 19102 at 20:16:21:
Hello-
I have made a mistake on the post about the
Scruggs-Rueben banjo capo. The informaion earlier
was wrong. I read this in an artical years ago and
this artical was wrong with information. A big thanks to Louise for
letting me know the "real facts". I want to correct
myself and share some with you what she told me about
this capo. Again, sorry for the misinformation.
This capo design was made by Earl many years ago.
Up until the mid 1960's he was using this original
capo he made in a machine shop in North Carolina
in the 1940's. Earl also used this capo before he came
to Nashville. You will see this original capo on some older
photos of his banjo. The original did not have the
plastic tubing on it as the new ones now do.
Jim Faulkner was visiting the Scruggs family one day.
Earl told him he had been trying to have his
capo manufactured. Nobody in the Nashville area had the needed
machinery to make them. Jim knew of a plant near
his home who might possibly make them. One was made
and Earl approved it. They then began manufacturing
this capo. Jim also made banjos that he named Rueben Banjos
after Earl's instrumental. Since he helped Earl with
the capo being finally made they were named Scruggs-Rueben
Capos. This is where the Rueben part came in.
Just a side note.... I have used this capo since the
1970's. They have worked very well for me through
the years. Thanks.