How to Spot Fret Wear – and When to Get a Fret Job
How to Spot Fret Wear – and When to Get a Fret Job
Understanding the Signs Before Your Tone and Playability Suffer
Frets are one of the most used—and most worn—parts of any guitar. Whether you’re a regular gigging musician or a weekend bedroom player, your frets take a beating over time. Worn frets can lead to tuning issues, buzzing, and a frustratingly inconsistent feel across the neck.
At Radnor Guitars in Nashville, fretwork is one of the most common repairs we do—and one of the most impactful. In this post, we’ll break down what fret wear looks like, when it becomes a problem, and what your options are when it's time for a fret job.
What Does Fret Wear Look Like?
The most common signs of fret wear include:
Flat spots or divots where your strings make contact
Visible grooves under the strings, especially around the cowboy chord area (frets 1–5)
Shiny or uneven wear patterns
Buzzing or dead notes, even after adjusting action or neck relief
Difficulty staying in tune, especially when fretting chords
Look closely under good light—or run your finger along the frets—you may feel flat spots or dents that weren’t there when the guitar was new.
What Is a Fret Job?
A “fret job” refers to any repair involving fret surfaces. This can include:
Fret dressing (level, crown, polish) – smoothing and reshaping worn frets
Partial refret – replacing the most worn frets
Full refret – removing and replacing all frets, often needed on vintage or heavily played guitars
Each approach depends on how deep the wear is and how much fret material is left.
When Is It Time for a Fret Job?
You likely need fret work if:
You’ve already had the guitar set up and it still buzzes
You feel the strings sinking into grooves when you bend or press
Notes choke out when bending, especially on higher frets
You’re getting uneven intonation even with proper tuning
Don't ignore these signs—continued playing on worn frets can make the damage worse and costlier to fix.
How We Handle Fretwork at Radnor Guitars
At Radnor Guitars, we use precision tools and decades of experience to evaluate and service your frets properly. Every fret job includes:
A detailed neck inspection
Accurate fret leveling using radius-matched beams
Crowning and polishing for smooth playability
Optional partial or full refrets with premium fret wire
Setup adjustments after the work for maximum playability
You’ll be amazed how much better your guitar can feel and sound after quality fretwork.
Located in Nashville? Stop by for a Fret Check.
Whether you’re playing honky-tonks on Broadway or recording in East Nashville, your guitar needs frets it can rely on. If you’re unsure whether you need a fret job, Radnor Guitars is here for you.
👉 Contact us today to schedule a checkup or bring your guitar by the shop.