When it comes to fretboards, one of the most important factors to consider is the width of the fret slots. On a standard 6-string guitar, for example, fret slots should be 1.
68 inches wide. This is simply because a majority of chords and fingerings can be played on a 6-string guitar with fingers positioned at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th frets.
But what about 7-, 8-, or 10-string guitars? Should they have even wider fret slots? The answer to this question largely depends on the type of music you plan on playing. If you’re primarily interested in playing metal or hard rock, then your fret slots should be wider – typically 2 inches wide.
If you’re more interested in playing classical or jazz music, then your slots may be narrower – typically 1.5 inches wide.
So there you have it – the answer to the perennial question: “How wide should fret slots be?” The general rule of thumb is that they should be 1.68 inches wide on a standard 6-string guitar, but if you play metal or hard rock your slots should be wider (typically 2 inches wide), and if you play classical or jazz music your slots may be narrower (typically 1.
5 inches wide).
