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Hey guys. Newish here. Haven't been signed up for this forum for years.

So I have the opportunity to pick up a Fender Lead 3 for $300. It's in solid shape with some dings here and there but I think the original paint was stripped (unless it actually came in coffee table brown/natural... I can't find pictures of that color). The most concerning thing for me is the very noticeable fret wear on the first 4 or so... It'll definitely need at least a really good level and crown if not a complete refret.

The frets bring how they are, it plays really, really well which really surprised me. Oh, and someone put a set of Grover tuners on it. Anyway, do you guys think it's a decent price for it or should I steer clear?

Is there any fret buzz? I'd suggest at this level a refret wouldn't be worth the expense if you can avoid it. I do like these guitars, the Lead II in particular, but if it's been stripped and had the tuners replaced (which were perfectly good 'F' tuners initially) then the money is about right. Perhaps look out for one in better nick.

Okay. Sweet. Thanks, man. I'll go back and check it out in a couple days if I get the time and think more about it. I feel like for the price it could be a nice one to refinish and make a mod or 2. Switching options come to mind, mostly. Mostly.

Oh, and as for the fret buzz, there was surprisingly little. Barely noticeable. That's why I was so surprised at how well it played. Pretty buttery considering some spots on the fret wire look like someone held the string against it and whacked it with a rubber mallet...

You most likely don't need a refret. Just a good setup and a cleaning . A little TLC goes far .

Isn't that a Lead III in this video?

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Uh it's just a strat?

The band I associate with these is Mission of Burma. Although that's a Lead II. Note Roger Miller isn't a big guy, but the guitar still looks small on him. They're kinda tiny.

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Oh,yeah. You are right. I should know better because I used to have a Lead II.

They are proper cool. I've got a Hondo II Pro copy of the Lead II at work as my pedal testing guitar. Matsumoku factory, about the same time the Leads were made. It's really pretty good. I think about half a dozen people on here have owned it!