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 an overhaul and why a well-prepared older instrument is such an interesting alternative to a new one.
New frets start the next chapter
A refretted vintage guitar need not be an instrument whose best years are behind it. Quite the opposite: well-executed work preserves a design you enjoy and restores comfort to the surface the strings contact during playing. That is why we believe an overhauled older guitar deserves serious consideration alongside a new mid-range instrument.
The scope and quality of preparation matter most. ‘New frets’ describes replaced parts, but says nothing on its own about neck geometry, nut fitting or final adjustment. We assess these elements together. That is what makes an overhaul 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 replacement, the fingerboard and fret slots are inspected. Working the wood is a separate decision based on an assessment of geometry. Fingerboard planing should not be considered mandatory for 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 renewed. Separate these issues. A mark on the back of the body says nothing about fret quality, just as glossy paint does not confirm a correct setup.
A playing test tells you more than a photograph
Play every note on every string using your normal picking attack. Look for individual positions with noticeably shorter sustain or unusual buzzing. On an electric guitar, assess the amplified sound too, not just the noise of the unplugged strings.
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 good 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 receive clearly documented workshop preparation.
Before buying, read the service record, compare the photographs and establish whether the described work is finished or part of preparation before delivery. If the guitar feels right and the scope is transparent, new frets are a real advantage — not a reason to dismiss an older instrument.
Further reading
For further detail, see the resources below. Manufacturer specifications help compare specific designs, while service resources explain setup principles. Photographs and links accompanying our examples lead to our instruments; check their listings for current condition and preparation scope.
Fretwork — polishing, levelling and replacement, StewMac ↗