Shubb Capos
At fourteen, Rick Shubb was inspired by Merle Travis to pick up the guitar, but it was hearing Earl Scruggs a year later that sparked his passion for the banjo. In his 20s and 30s, Rick was one of the few resolute musicians making a living playing bluegrass on the West Coast. He thought his life would revolve around music and graphic arts, a field he was naturally talented in.
One night, during a banjo lesson, Rick shared an idea for a fifth-string capo with his student, an auto mechanic named Dave Coontz. A week later, Dave built a prototype, which Rick tested at gigs. After refining the design through several prototypes, they decided to make 100 capos and launch a business.
Initially, making and selling fifth-string capos was just a side project, allowing Rick to continue his music and art career. But everything changed when they developed a new design for a guitar capo. Unlike earlier capos, this one closed onto the guitar neck just like a hand, solving the tuning issues that plagued other designs. The moment Rick first used the prototype on his guitar, he knew his life had taken a new direction.
Though Rick still considers himself a musician at heart, his focus has shifted to the music products business. He performs occasionally and keeps in practice, but his true passion lies in enhancing the musical experience for players worldwide—from weekend hobbyists to legendary superstars. Musicians are his people, and he loves being a part of their journey.