Like a guitar neck to be in a distressed way! (9)

I believe the answer is:

fretfully

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'like a guitar neck to be' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'distressed way' is the wordplay.
'distressed' becomes 'fretful' (I've seen this before).
'way' becomes 'ly' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'fretful'+'ly'='FRETFULLY'

'in a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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