Frets are so fundamental to how a guitar works that it's easy to never really think about them. But understanding what frets actually do, and how their condition affects your playing, is genuinely useful knowledge for any guitarist. Here's a rundown.

What frets actually do

Frets are the thin metal strips embedded across the fretboard. When you press a string down behind a fret, you're shortening the vibrating length of that string to a precise, mathematically calculated point, which is what produces a specific, in-tune note. Without frets, a guitar would work more like a violin, requiring extremely precise finger placement by ear for every note.

Fret size and feel

Frets come in different heights and widths, generally described as narrow-tall, medium, jumbo and so on. Taller frets make it easier to bend strings and can reduce the finger pressure needed to fret a clean note, while lower, narrower frets give a more vintage feel and can suit players who prefer their hand closer to the fretboard. Neither is right or wrong, it's a matter of personal preference and playing style.

Fret wear over time

Frets wear down gradually with playing, developing small grooves where strings press against them most, typically in the first few frets where chords are played most often. Worn frets can cause buzzing, poor sustain, and intonation issues, since the string is no longer contacting a clean, evenly rounded surface.

Fret buzz and dead spots

If a fret is worn unevenly, or if one fret sits slightly higher than its neighbours, you can get buzzing or a note that "chokes out" when bent. This isn't always a sign of a serious problem. Often it just means the frets need levelling and recrowning, a routine maintenance job that restores an even, consistent playing surface.

Sharp fret ends

In drier conditions, the fretboard timber can shrink slightly while the metal frets don't, leaving the fret ends feeling sharp at the edge of the neck. This is usually a humidity issue rather than a fret problem itself, and it's worth reading up on proper humidification if you notice this happening.

When to get frets looked at

If you're noticing buzzing that wasn't there before, notes that die out unexpectedly, or a rough feeling as you slide along the neck, it's worth having the frets checked. A fret level and polish is a common, relatively straightforward service that can make an older guitar feel dramatically better to play.