Guitar Frets roundup
Guitar Frets: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Most guitars are sold without any discussion of their frets — but fret material and size affect playability and longevity significantly. Here is what to look for.
Buying a guitar means making decisions you might not realise you're making — including decisions about guitar frets. The fret size and material on an instrument affect how it plays and how long it lasts, yet most guitars are sold with no discussion of either. This guide covers what to look for, what the differences actually mean in practice, and what you can change after purchase.
Guitar Frets: Nickel vs Stainless Steel
Most guitars in the market — from budget instruments to well-regarded mid-range models — come with nickel-silver frets. Nickel is the industry default: it machines well, feels warm under the fingers, and performs reliably. The significant downside is durability. Nickel frets wear and groove over years of playing, and eventually need a fret dress or full replacement.
Stainless steel frets are found on a smaller but growing number of instruments, typically at higher price points or as upgrades. Stainless frets are significantly harder than nickel — some players use the same stainless-fretted guitar for decades without needing fret work. The trade-off is installation cost: stainless steel is harder to machine and fit, which adds to the price. Some players also perceive a slightly brighter tone, though this is subtle and disputed.
EVO gold frets (a titanium-based alloy) appear on boutique instruments. They look warm and gold-tinted, feel similar to nickel but last longer. They're not widely available as standard but are a reasonable choice if you're commissioning a custom build.
Guitar Frets: Size and What the Numbers Mean
Fret wire is described by width and height. The Dunlop numbering system is common: 6100 (jumbo), 6105 (narrow-tall), 6150 (vintage-style), 6230 (vintage-narrow). Jescar has its own catalogue. The numbers themselves don't follow an obvious logic — what matters is the physical dimensions they describe.
Width affects the contact surface when you press a chord. Narrow frets are more precise; wide frets allow more surface contact and suit aggressive bending styles. Height affects how much your fingertip touches wood versus fret. Tall frets reduce wood contact, which many players find smoother for lead work. Low frets feel more like the wood is always involved, which some prefer for chord accuracy.
Most production guitars ship with medium or medium-jumbo frets. If you're buying a vintage reissue, expect vintage-style frets. High-spec guitars from companies like PRS, Suhr and some boutique US makers often come with stainless jumbo or medium-jumbo frets as standard.
What to Check: Guitar Frets Before Buying
Play the guitar before you buy if at all possible. Run your thumb along the sides of the neck to feel for sharp fret ends — a sign that the fingerboard wood has dried or shrunk. Sharp ends catch the hand on position shifts and make playing uncomfortable. This can be filed down by a luthier, but it's a sign of poor setup or dry storage.
Fret level matters too. Run a straight edge across the frets to check for high spots — though most players can identify these by playing single notes up the neck. Any note that buzzes against the next fret up when played with reasonable finger pressure points to a high fret or uneven fretboard. On a new guitar, this should be addressed by the seller before purchase.
Changing Guitar Frets After Purchase
If you buy a guitar with nickel frets and later want stainless steel, a full refret is the option. A refret on a standard guitar typically costs between £150 and £350 at a competent UK luthier, depending on fret material and the complexity of the neck. This is worthwhile on a guitar you intend to keep long term, particularly if you play frequently.
A fret dress — levelling, crowning and polishing — is a less invasive procedure that extends fret life without replacing the wire. This costs less and is appropriate when frets show wear but still have life left. See our full explanation of the types for details on the different materials and sizes, and our mistakes guide for what to avoid when making these decisions.
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