Never tried it, and really you should use new fretwire as you will probably damage or twist the old one getting it out. But if you do try, make a mark so that you know which way it's currently facing, but put it back facing the other way. The barbs on the tangs should then be in a different place, so it should grip the sides of the slot again. Putting it back in the same way it will be loose.
Run a hot soldering iron over the fret first in case it's been stuck down with glue, and that should help free it. Then you really need some fret-pulling pincers with a ground side to them (so the edges are both sharp and the right next to the fretboard). Something like these:
You should initially grip the base of the fret and not try to get the edges of the pincers under the fret until it's raised up a bit. This is when you'll probably scratch or twist the fret.
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
Never tried it, and really you should use new fretwire as you will probably damage or twist the old one getting it out. But if you do try, make a mark so that you know which way it's currently facing, but put it back facing the other way. The barbs on the tangs should then be in a different place, so it should grip the sides of the slot again. Putting it back in the same way it will be loose.
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