How Deep Do You Cut Fret Slots?

When it comes to cutting fret slots, the old adage “the deeper the better” is often repeated. But is this really true? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of deep vs shallow fret slots.

On the plus side, deep slots offer more room for error. If you make a mistake while cutting, you can simply re-cut the slot without having to start over from scratch.

This can be a real time-saver, especially if you’re new to the process.

Deep slots also offer more support for the fret wire. This can be beneficial if you’re using thicker wire or planning on doing a lot of string bending.

However, there are some drawbacks to deep slots as well. They can be more difficult to clean out properly, and if you’re not careful, you can end up with sharp edges that can damage your strings or cause other problems.

In general, we recommend starting with shallow slots and only going deeper if absolutely necessary. With a little practice, you should be able to get great results with shallow slots without any of the downsides of going too deep.