Do these frets look OK or...?

[Zelja]

First post in this section I think - I need to get out more.
I have been tempted by hagmeat's prodding to enter Guild bassdom. Just wondering if the frets on the following pic look OK, normal or something else? I have been hurt recently with getting a guitar described as having good frets etc only to find it needs a refret - not really wanting to go down that road again.
Cheers,
Z.

 

[taabru45]

This is opinion only. They look like they have been dressed, and should last a while. If I'm wrong, I guess the frets are undressed and I'm entirely out of my league. :lol: Steffan

 

[jcwu]

What makes the photo somewhat confusing is that the string shadows come across looking like pits/divots/wear marks on the frets. So for me, it's hard to tell without a better photo.

 

[Fixit]

+1 on the dressing. I use a crowning file to re-crown after I dress frets to get the proper crown on them and remove the flat fret tops. Is there anyway you can measure the fret height? If less than about .030" they would be starting to get pretty low. More important! How does it play? Good clear notes, no buzzs. Is the neck straight? If there is enough fret height, and it plays well, your local luthier should be able to re-crown them for you, without the need for a fret job. Really hard to tell more from the picture.

 

[Zelja]

^^^^
Hey Tom. It's just a bass I'm looking to buy so don't have it in the hand.

I'm far from an expert but the frets seems very squared off, i.e flat on top. I always thought they were supposed to be more rounded such that the point of contact on the string is over a smaller area which would make intonation more precise.
I'm also concerned about the fret height. The sellers says "The frets are in great shape" & refers to that picture but I'm not convinced...

 

[mgod]

If its a good bass at a good price don't worry about the frets.