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Shubb Capos
by Rick Shubb

Jim with Shubb CapoJim Salestrom loves Shubb capos. When I met him, and he found out who I was, he asked me to autograph his guitar. There were no other autographs on his guitar; he just decided this spontaneously, because he was so blown away to meet the guy who made Shubb capos. We're talking about someone who's accustomed to working with big name stars. He spent years on the road with John Denver, and likewise Dolly Parton. Anyhow, I signed his guitar, and tried to make it as small and tidy as I could.

Jim fronts his own group these days, but I've always seen him work as a solo. He is a captivating singer / songwriter / storyteller, an accomplished guitarist, and a consummate pro.

Jim Salestrom has such a gentle personality that it's difficult to imagine him ever having a hard word with anyone, but he tells me that he occasionally had to take John Denver to task. Apparently Denver had the habit of "borrowing" Jim's Shubb capos, and "forgetting" to return them.

Often when Jim and I meet, as he approaches he will take his Shubb capo from his pocket and display it aloft, smiling, as a greeting. People must think we belong to some secret fraternity. Come to think of it, I guess we do.

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I am the new director of entertainment at Northstar At Tahoe ski area. It's been a fun ride since January and I fly back and forth to Reno... then go up and play for a few days (five trips this past winter). I take different old Martins with me and one time I chose my 1940 0-15 all mahogany guitar. It doesn't happen all that often anymore but sure enough...I spaced transferring my capo from one of the other five guitar cases that each have one.... into the old 0-15 case.

So...I smiled the big smile I always have when this has happens and strolled into the music store in Truckee. What kind of capo do want? Doug Adams, the owner asked. I said that there's only one brand that I know and love and leave behind and that's a Shubb.

Twenty dollars later and I'm still smiling -- I love them when they're brand spankin' new -- I love them when they're brand spankin' old -- and I feel a bit insecure when I don't have one in my pocket.

It is a very tight club for those of us who can play in all the keys -- thanks to these marvelous metal tools.

~Jim~