How to Spot Fret Wear Fast When Buying a Used Guitar

Scenario: You pick up a guitar that looks worn—what should you check first?

Start with the easy stuff. Run your finger along the fretboard and across each string low to high. Look for dips or sharp edges that feel different from the rest of the neck.

How do you tell if a fret is flat or grooved at a glance?

Angle the guitar under a strong light and look along the fret tops from the headstock toward the body. Worn frets show thin shiny grooves in the middle of the fret crown. If a fret looks like a narrow shiny strip, it has a groove and will affect tuning and playability.

What quick play test shows fret wear without tools?

Play each string at common frets: open, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th. Listen for buzzing or dead notes that disappear when you press slightly harder. If notes choke out only at some frets, those frets or the wood around them likely have wear.

Which tool-free sign tells you a fret needs dressing or replacement?

Tap each fret lightly with a fingernail; a clear bell-like ring means a good fret, while dull thuds point to wear or loose frets. Also look for uneven string height over the fretboard—lower spots usually mean grooves.

What simple visual checklist can you use in under a minute?

• Shine a light along the fret tops from the neck end to the body end

• Scan for bright, narrow lines down the center of frets

• Check the 1st and 6th string paths—most wear appears there

• Look at the 12th fret and the area below it closely

• Inspect fret ends for sharp edges or lifting

• Note any deep divots or flat spots on fret crowns

How do you use a cloth or coin to check fret depth quickly?

Lay a thin cloth over the fretboard and press a string down; move the cloth under the string and check if it gathers at one spot—this can show a groove. Another quick trick is to slide a small coin along the tops; a coin will rock slightly over a deep groove. Micro-moment: imagine testing a guitar at a market table—your hands are cold and the light is poor, so you press the 12th fret and run your finger along the fret crown; the coin test tells you where to look closer and saves you from a bad buy.

When is fret wear a deal-breaker versus a negotiator?

Minor surface wear that leaves good radius and rounded crowns is usually just cosmetic; it can be dressed (leveled and re-crowned) by a tech. Deep, uneven grooves, missing metal, or fret ends that lift or cut into the neck mean a refret may be due, which is expensive and should lower the price sharply.

What final checks protect you before you buy?

Check action and intonation after tuning; if you have to press very hard to fret notes cleanly, the frets or neck may be the problem. Ask the seller about any recent fretwork or refrets, and factor in repair costs when you haggle.

Today's takeaway: A quick light, a coin, and a few played notes will save you from buying a guitar that needs a costly refret.

A straight neck and even frets matter more than shiny hardware — price the setup before you fall for the look.

Today’s takeaway: Playability and structural checks beat cosmetics — test what changes repair cost and resale speed.