GuitarFunkyGALLERY
Worn nickel frets under studio light

On the bench

Repair

When to refret: wear, buzz, and the cost of waiting

Divots, sprout, and that one note that dies — a tech-forward checklist before you commit to a partial or full refret.

5 min readBy Jordan Ellis · Senior repair
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Frets are consumable. The right time to refret is when playability or intonation suffers in ways leveling can’t honestly fix anymore.

Close-up of fret wear under strings
Trenches under the plain strings — especially in the first seven frets — are the most honest calendar you’ll find.

Chapter I

Visual tells

  • Pronounced trenches under plain strings, especially on frets 1–7.
  • Fret ends that felt fine last season now catch your hand.
  • Uneven wear after many partial level jobs.
Inside the GuitarFunky workshop
A refret is part surgery, part geometry — we measure before we promise a “like new” feel.

Chapter II

Brass vs stainless vs nickel

Nickel is the classic feel. Stainless lasts longer but changes attack slightly. Brass is niche — pretty, softer, and a vibe choice. Match material to how you play, not just forum lore.

“Leveling can buy time — it can’t invent metal back into a fret.”
Jordan Ellis

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