Fret size is one of the most important but overlooked aspects of a guitar. Unlike neck relief, action, pickups, and other hardware, frets are not adjustable (without a costly refret, of course). Replacing guitar frets is expensive, so it’s worth paying attention to the fret size on any guitar that you are considering for purchase. While every feature on a guitar influences how you perceive the instrument, fret size is a tactile feature that directly affects playing feel.
Guitar Fret Sizes Explained
When talking about fret size, we are talking about the top of the fret that makes contact with the string. This is called the “crown” of the fret. Frets are made in many sizes, and are measured in thousands of an inch. Fret sizing differs in the height, width, and shape of the fret itself. If you don’t have a guitar’s specs handy, you will need a caliper tool to accurately measure the size of the frets.
In the table below are listed the names and measurements of six fret sizes commonly found on electric guitars. For our purposes, we’ll concentrate on the most popular fret sizes, the ones you’ll most likely find on production guitars. Note: Even with huge companies like Fender and Gibson, fret sizes on certain models have reportedly changed suddenly, and without warning!
Guitar Fret Size Chart
| Fret Name | Dimensions | Description |
| 6230 | .078″ x .043″ | Known as “vintage” size, this is the size that Fender used on its original guitars. |
| 6150 | .102″ x .042″ | Vintage Jumbo – wider and about the same height as 6230 |
| 6105 | 090″ x .055″ | Narrow and Tall, and a polarizing choice |
| 6130 | .106″ x .036″ | Medium Jumbo – Quite wide but not as tall as 6150 |
| 6100 | .110″ x .055″ | The most common Jumbo frets, wide and tall |
| 6000 | .118″ x .058″ | Truly massive fret, super Jumbo |
Playing Impressions
Unless different fret sizes are installed on the same guitar, any guitar fret size comparison will be influenced by the guitar’s other features such as neck size, fretboard radius, scale length, etc. Nonetheless, here are a few highly subjective impressions:
6230 Vintage
This is the size used on vintage Fender guitars. Some players like them because their height is relatively low, and you can “feel the fretboard” when playing. The main challenge that you will contend with if you are playing these frets on a guitar with a 7.25” fingerboard radius is “fretting out”; this typically happens when a player is doing a full step bend or more, and is due to the combination of the rounded fretboard and low frets, causing the bent note to stop sounding. Vintage frets do have their strengths, however, and players who play a lot of rhythm tend to like them.
6150 Vintage Jumbo
These are similar in height to vintage frets, but a lot wider. Vintage Gibsons used a similar width—.100—but not as tall. Wider frets play differently than narrower frets because there is a shallower angle between the fretboard and the crown (top) of the fret. This results in a smoother feel where it is easier to “slide” up and down the fretboard. Bending is somewhat easier as well.
6105 Narrow Tall
Railroad ties! Just kidding…sort of. I termed it a polarizing choice, and that is not an overstatement. This fret wire are wider than both 6230 Vintage and 6150 Vintage Jumbo, and considerably taller than both. The selling point is that these dimensions facilitate bending notes. The drawback is that they are tall and therefore have a “sticky” feeling, i.e., sliding from fret to fret is noticeably more difficult. When I have played Narrow Tall frets I have been amazed at the difference between these and Vintage Jumbo. Some players love them, and Fender currently offers them in many of their Strat and Tele models. My suggestion is to try before you buy to make sure that you like this style of fret.
6130 Medium Jumbo
The sizing offers the smooth feel of wide frets with a low height profile. This is a familiar feel for many players, but be aware that low frets mean more fingerboard contact, and due to the reduced height will not last as long as taller frets.
6100 and 6000 Jumbo
Jumbo frets are a love it or hate it affair for many players. Pros include alleged “better tone” due to the increased contact area of string and fret, but how much this matters is debatable. More important is the feel, and Jumbos are particular in this way. I guarantee that if you were blindfolded and handed a guitar with Jumbos that you would be able to identify it by feel alone.
The key with jumbos is they provide both the buttery benefit of a wide fret with a height that facilitates bending. Many players report that Jumbos can be particularly sensitive to finger pressure, however, resulting in intonation issues for players who are used to digging in for fingerboard contact. Jumbos have traditionally been popular with metal and shredder type players, many of whom play with a lighter touch.
Electric vs. Acoustic Fret Size
Many people ask if electric guitar fret sizes are typically bigger or smaller than acoustic guitar fret sizes. Fret size depends on what the guitar maker chooses to install on the guitar, regardless of if it is acoustic or electric. The exception to this would be Jumbo frets (6100 or 6000). Acoustic players typically do not bend strings as dramatically as on an electric, so Jumbos are not found on any factory acoustic guitars that I know of (though I’m sure people have refretted acoustic guitars with jumbos).
Conclusion
As with everything, fret size is personal preference. Personally, I have a medium touch and prefer a smooth playing feel, so I prefer medium frets that are not too tall.
I have one guitar with 6150 Vintage Jumbo that plays differently than any other guitar I’ve owned, and I attribute some of this to the fret size, since I had never owned a guitar with 6150s.
The 6105 Narrow Tall isn’t my thing, probably because I don’t bend a lot and the feel of the taller fret is quite noticeable to me when sliding. But there’s a reason that Fender has gone to these frets on many models, and if you bend strings a lot I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll like them.
One thing to keep in mind is if you are accustomed to lower frets and contact with the fingerboard, you will likely have to adjust your technique to play in tune with a taller fret like Narrow Tall 6105, or 6100 Jumbos. But don’t let this dissuade you either—far too many guitarists act as if small technique adjustments are beyond their ability. It’s not, and there are plenty of great players who regularly use guitars with different specs—more on that in another post. Happy Playing!