Buying used with heavy worn frets.

[mashastrat]

I’m stuck with decision on purchasing a used guitar with a vintage profile & vintage frets.

I’ve never dealt with a guitar with such heaving pitting, worn indents on what frets the seller has provided in photographs.

It’s unclear how many of neck is worn. The photos do show some serious dents on vintage frets. The guitar looks like it’s had some heavy use and been gigged extensively.

I’m not sure the price is worth the hassle of putting right, it might just need a level and crown or a refret. It’s an older Fender Mustang, so not exactly rare, and they’re still floating in the hype overpriced side.

Is getting a guitar that needs fret work immediately among other restoring work something many would do?
As I’ve said I’ve not dealt with refret hassles or the cost. So can’t decide whether to go or avoid.

[marqueemoon]

Can you play it in person?

[DrippyReverbTremolo]

If the price reflects that it needs a refret, or is 1 fret levelling away form a refet, AND you like it - get it.

Frets are like tires. They get used up.

A proper refret is a bonus for any guitar. Vintage, old, used.

[mashastrat]

Can you play it in person?

No I just have some bad photos to go by and someone who’s not guitar literate, or cares much to give details.

I mean it’s one a few issues.. neck pocket cracks, not sure how straight the neck is, it’s had someone been modding and put it back together not so well.

[mashastrat]

When frets are levelled and crowned, they all Ned to be done to be even right?. You wouldn’t just do the worst condition?

[marqueemoon]

Can you play it in person?

No I just have some bad photos to go by and someone who’s not guitar literate, or cares much to give details.

I mean it’s one a few issues.. neck pocket cracks, not sure how straight the neck is, it’s had someone been modding and put it back together not so well.

All good reasons to pass.

If you can play a guitar in person and love it spite of its issues it will only get better with a refret and whatever other work it might need.

You don’t want to buy a sub-optimal guitar sight unseen, sink even more money into it, and 0”potentially still be disappointed.

[timtam]

I’ve never dealt with a guitar with such heaving pitting, worn indents on what frets the seller has provided in photographs.
...
I mean it’s one a few issues.. neck pocket cracks, not sure how straight the neck is, it’s had someone been modding and put it back together not so well.

That's almost certainly re-fret job. Possibly a train wreck.

If you're still really keen get a quote on that job and negotiate a price with the seller on that basis. Depending on how old the guitar is, the frets may have gone in sideways. Which means you need someone experienced with refretting those.

Unless it was an absolute bargain (including the refret price), and possibly the only way you could ever afford one, and you had an experienced guy lined up to refret it, and you like 'projects', I would pass.

While the main reason for buying old/vintage guitars is nostalgia (very rarely because they are actually better guitars), they obviously need to be playable (with manageable work factored into the price).