Guide / SELECTED VINTAGE GUITARS
Buying a refretted guitar: what should you check?
New frets can be a major advantage in a vintage guitar. We explain how to assess the results of the work and why a well-prepared older instrument is such an interesting alternative to a new one.
New frets are a good start to the next chapter
A refretted vintage guitar need not be an instrument whose best years are behind it. Quite the opposite: well-executed work lets you keep a well-loved design and restores comfort to the surface the strings contact during playing. That is why, in our opinion, an overhauled older guitar deserves serious consideration instead of a new mid-range one.
The scope and quality of the preparation matter most. The term ‘new frets’ refers to replacing parts, but on its own it says nothing about neck geometry, nut fitting or final setup. We assess these elements together. That is what makes an overhaul genuinely useful to a musician.
Polishing, levelling and replacement are different jobs
Polishing smooths the fret crowns. Levelling equalises their heights, and recrowning restores the correct shape of their tops. Refretting means removing the old wire and seating new frets. The choice depends on wear and the instrument’s condition; not every older guitar needs new frets.
During refretting, the fingerboard and fret slots are inspected. Working the wood is a separate decision based on an assessment of the geometry. Fingerboard planing should not be treated as a mandatory add-on to every refret. The aim is a properly prepared playing surface with a reasonable degree of intervention.
Aria WJ-40: new frets and a prepared fingerboard
On our 1981 Aria WJ-40, we planed the fingerboard and fitted 2.1 mm-wide Blacksmith frets. The work also included maintenance, adjustment and installation of a passive piezo pickup. It is a specific example of an older acoustic whose preparation goes beyond a new set of strings.
Before buying, you can read the work description, examine photographs and view the instrument presentation. Together, these provide a much fuller picture than a general statement that the guitar has been ‘serviced’.
Greco EG800: frets, nut and setup as a whole
On the 1979 Greco EG800, we installed new Medium Jumbo frets and a new nut, then completed the final setup. This combination matters: after changing frets, the relationship between strings and fret height needs checking, including at the nut. That does not mean the nut must always be replaced — its condition and dimensions determine the decision.
Older guitars may retain scuffs or dents in the finish even though the playing surface has been prepared anew. It is worth keeping these issues separate. A mark on the back of the body says nothing about fret quality, just as a glossy finish does not confirm a correct setup.
A test that tells you more than a photo alone
Play every note on every string using your own normal attack. Pay attention to individual spots with noticeably shorter sustain or unusual buzzing. On an electric guitar, also assess the sound through the amplifier, not just the sound of the strings unplugged.
Then check bends on the treble strings, how smoothly your hand moves along the fingerboard edges and chord comfort in the first positions. Fret crowns should not feel rough beneath the strings, and fret ends should not catch your hand. If anything concerns you, identify the specific position rather than simply asking for ‘even lower action’.
Low action should suit your playing style
There is no single string height that is ideal for everyone. A strong attack needs more room for vibration than gentle playing, while fingerboard geometry affects a string’s behaviour during bends. A setup that feels effortless to one player may hinder another.
Ask which string set and tuning the setup was made for. Changing string gauge or tuning may require readjustment. This applies both to an overhauled vintage guitar and to a new instrument. Comfort comes from adapting the whole guitar to the musician.
Why we recommend this kind of purchase
A well-executed overhaul lets you focus on playing and enjoy an instrument with its own character. In our view, this is one of the strongest arguments for Japanese vintage guitars: you can choose an interesting design and at the same time receive clearly described luthier preparation.
Before buying, read the service record, compare the photos and establish whether the described work has been completed or is part of the preparation before handover. If the guitar feels right under your fingers and the scope of work is transparent, new frets are a real advantage — not a reason to dismiss an older instrument.
Further reading
If you would like to explore the topic further, we have listed some supplementary resources below. Manufacturers’ specifications help you compare specific designs, and service guides explain the principles of setup. The photos and links accompanying the examples lead to our instruments; you can check their current condition and the scope of preparation in their listings.
Fretwork — polishing, levelling and refretting, StewMac ↗