- Want to get to grips with fret sizes but not sure what the differences are?
- While not the most exciting thing to discuss, fret size significantly impacts playability.
- We cover the differences and direct you to consideration factors when choosing between fret sizes.
If it’s your first time buying a guitar, you probably rushed into buying your favorite model off the rack (potentially based on the model one of your idols plays).
There is nothing wrong with that, but knowing which fret size to aim for can make a mile of difference in your guitar’s comfort and playability.
By the end of this article, you’ll be a pro at selecting a guitar with the best fret size for your style.
Let’s dive into the differences and buyer considerations.
| Fret Type | Number | Features | Genres |
| Vintage | 6230 | Stability of notes, harder to bend | Easier for tricks, e.g. hammer-on/pull-off |
| Narrow Tall | 6105 | Stability of notes, harder to bend | Blues, rock and rhythm guitars |
| Vintage Jumbo | 6150 | Light touch, great for softer genres | Easier for tricks, e.g., hammer-on/pull-off |
| Medium Jumbo | 6130 | Easier for tricks, e.g. hammer-on/pull-off | Metal and heavier genres |
| Jumbo | 6100 | Easier for tricks, e.g., hammer-on/pull-off | Metal and heavier genres |
Fret Sizes: What Difference Does It Make?
Fret type primarily affects the comfort, feel, and playability of your guitar.
- A wider fret offers more surface area for string contact. This means you will have more control over the techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs.
- A narrower fret gives you more direct contact with the fretboard. This reduces the risk of making a note go out of tune. It creates a more stable sound but adds more friction between the string and the fretboard.
Important! When we say “fret,” we’re talking about the metal dividers that scale your fretboard 20-24 times, rather than the space between (an all-too-common mistake).
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, which is largely determined by the genre and style you play.
Factors That Influence Fret Types/Size
Fret Height
Taller frets will give you less contact with the neck. This is because the strings are extended away from it. In addition to hammer-ons and pull-offs, it is suitable for bending due to less friction between fingers and fretboard.
On the other hand, if you have shorter frets, you can sustain a note without going sharp or flat and slide up and down the fretboard with greater ease. This is self-explanatory since you don’t have to compete with tiny metal speed bumps along the way.
Fret Width
Fret width will influence the feel of a guitar. When you have a wider fret, there is less of an angle between the fingerboard and the bead/crown (the part of the fret that juts up out of the fingerboard – or, to be as straightforward as possible, ‘the silver bit’). Combining this with a short fret gives you a smooth, frictionless feel.
On the downside, as the string wears out, it is more likely to shift away from the bridge and cause a sharp intonation when playing.
Fret Types Defined
Vintage (6230)
The vintage frets are both the narrowest and shortest fret types available. Guitars such as Fender staples, Stratocasters, and Telecasters use these frets, among other Fender products. These guitars are generally used for blues and rock genres. The key advantage is the notes’ stability, making it a terrific option for rhythm guitarists. On the downside, smaller frets are a bit more awkward for soloists, particularly ones who bend a lot.
Narrow Tall (6105)
The narrow tall guitar frets are accurately named. They are generally 0.055” tall and 0.090” wide. While this isn’t exceptionally tall (Jumbo frets are the same height), they are regarded to be due to the height in relation to the width. The great Squier Telecasters and Stratocasters use Narrow Tall frets, as well as Fender American Professional II Telecasters and Stratocasters.
Vintage Jumbo (6150)
Like a good steak, the Vintage Jumbo form is a pretty rare (apologies) guitar fret type these days. You’d be hard-pressed to find a guitar with these. But that’s okay because they are/were a very middle-of-the-road fret type. Seeing how you’re unlikely to find one, listing the pros and cons may be futile. But the general rule is that if you want a light touch, any Jumbo fret is unlikely to cut your mustard.
Medium Jumbo (6130)
Scaling (sorry again) models such as the Gibson Les Paul, the Gibson SG, Fender Player Telecaster and Stratocaster, and the Fender American Ultra/Ultra Luxe Telecaster and Stratocaster, the Medium Jumbo provides players with a smooth fret hand, and is ideal for guitarists with heavier hands.
Jumbo (6100)
Lastly, the Jumbo fret size is the largest, with a width of 0.110” and a height of 0.055”. Their large size makes them perfect for metal, djent, and hardcore guitarists as they create a smooth feel, allowing for various finger tricks, including lead guitar sections. The only issue is that it’s more difficult to play chords, and it’s easy to go sharp. Guitars in the Ibanez, LTD, and Jackson departments will likely use Jumbo fret sizes.
Do Fret Types Sound Different?
This is a highly debated topic among guitarists, and the answer is not so black and white as one would hope due to the varying ways that frets are crowned, how one plays, and, of course, the various pedals and equipment one might additionally use.
In answer, fret sizes can make a difference to tone, but it is in conjunction with various other factors.
One thing that we can all agree on is that fret size can make a significant difference to how a guitar feels to play, both in terms of playing in the style that suits our needs and how it sounds to us.
In all cases, it’s best to pick a guitar that best suits this. It will lead to greater satisfaction in your purchase and the quality of your goals as a guitarist.
Can You Change Your Frets?
Let’s say you buy a guitar, aren’t happy with the fret size, and want to try something new. You may wonder about your options and whether you can replace the frets entirely.
If you wish to change the fret wire or the radius of the guitar board, then there are many things that you can do to make your fretboard more streamlined, to your taste, and slicker. You can replace the fret inlays, get a partial refret or a total refret, repair the crown, bind the fingerboard, and many other things to rejig your guitar.
Fret inlays are markers embedded into the fingerboard of a guitar or other stringed instrument. These markers are typically placed at specific fret positions, such as the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 21st frets, to assist the player in visually identifying the fret positions while playing.
We’ll focus on the frets themselves for this article.
A partial refret is when you replace a few of the frets, chiefly the first position frets, and a total refret is when you get the entire fingerboard refretted. If you need a number of the frets replaced anyway, it’s often advisable to get the whole set done for cohesion.
One should also note that frets get worn down over time, and there will inevitably come a time when wear and tear affects your instrument’s playability.
DIY or Through A Professional?
Suppose you’re super technically endowed and enjoy the DIY processes of changing guitars, such as those heroes who design their own pedals and amps.
In that case, you can install guitar frets using a workbench, the fret equipment, and the expertise.
On that score, check out this clever dude who can put a fretboard together like nobody’s business and from the comfort of home (or workshop. Which is likely at home.)
Whether you should do it yourself or hire an expert (or a trustworthy musician friend) depends on your skill level. If uncertain, it’s always wiser to consult the professionals. Don’t risk breaking your guitar or having an unfinished task on your workbench!
Buyer Tip! Not all frets are made equal, and certain batches of electric guitars have notoriously shoddy work.
A real-life example of this is how the latest issue of Fender Modern Player series gets a lot of complaints about its rough fret edges.
There are several online forums where musicians discuss every guitar model in detail, which is a great asset, as are user reviews. Check these out before buying.
Time to Play
In review, fret types and their condition are an overlooked yet important aspect of guitar purchasing and maintenance that can complement your style, goals, and connection with your instrument.
As a beginner buyer, it’s still the best option to pick a slick guitar from the rack, preferably after giving it a jam in a comfortable environment to solidify it as your choice. After all, the comfort level is essential, and many guitarists write the instrument off due to their initial lack thereof.
If your research comprises the genres you intend to play and what makes your hand itch the hardest, this process will lead you to pick a guitar with the best fret type for the job. Good luck!
For more tips and tricks to aid you in your journey as a guitarist, check out our related posts. We cover all things guitar, from gear to technique.
Great article. Thanks for the clear descriptions of the different fret types.
Thank you for this very informative article about the many different frets available on different guitars and how they affect the playability of the guitar. This will be of great help to those wonder what kind of guitar they feel comfortable playing. Another option is to swap out the neck if the guitar is the type that bolts on like Fenders do, quite a bit less expensive than refretting a guitar.