Motif retraced around part of stringed instrument (4)
I believe the answer is:
fret
'part of stringed instrument' is the definition.
(eg part of a guitar)
'motif retraced around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates a hidden word.
'FRET' is hidden within 'motif retraced'.
(Other definitions for fret that I've seen before include "ridge > that obscures sea view" , "Be always anxious" , "Split up" , "Sort of saw work" , "Vex oneself - part of a fingerboard" .)