Nut Material & Finish Checking/Aging

[Groover]

I picked up a '68 Fender Jazz bass, and all appears to be original except for the nut. That said, I'm wondering what type of nut (or material) the one installed is. Note that the fuzzy picture (without flash) is more of the tru color of the nut. The other picture looks really white, but it give more detail.

Is it bone?

Also, the checking on the headstock looks a little funny. I've had a few vintage instruments, but non have looked like this. As much as it looks brushed on in the pictures, in reality it just looks wrinkled. I also pictured against the light to show more of what I'm trying to show.

Does it look refinished? (it's only like that on the front and back of the headstock)

Thanks for the help.

[Groover]

I forgot to mention that the nut is very shiny.

[Geezerman]

The checking looks okay, but the nut looks new. IMO

[SDB Guitars]

Yeah, that checking looks perfectly normal to me... like it has on several vintage instruments I've seen/worked on...

[Groover]

Cool, that makes me feel better. Thanks for taking a look.

I'm thinking about replacing the nut, but I'm not sure what to use. I think the one that is on there looks cheap, plus the E side seems a little high (F is always a tad sharp).

Any recommendations? I like the stock nut that I have on my '74... would I just buy a regular Fender Jazz replacement nut, or should I go a little fancier since the one that is on there is not original anyway.

Please make recommendations. I've actually never replaced a nut on a bass, but I have filed some down (some that were too high).

Thanks.

[SDB Guitars]

I would get a bone nut from Stew-Mac... unbleached? It would look more aged, I'd think.