String nut material.

[The Rosch]

I know how crazy you guys are about tone, so in your opinion, does the material for a nut really matter? if it does, what would be best for my strat to get a vintage tone?

[Pat of the Dead]

Yes, it matters.... kinda... It does have an effect on your tone, but I've always found it's more of a question does it fit how you play the guitar.

In my opinion bone would be a good choice for a vintage tone.

[Trotter]

Fossilized Walrus Ivory:

http://www.fleckguitar.com/products.htm

[HammyD]

I have no way of direct comparison, but 50's Gibson's used nylon for the nuts. Hard, yet slippery. I can't imagine it would sound that different than graphite.

[Pat of the Dead]

Well when compared, they do sound different. But unless you are the biggest tone freak in the world it really just comes down to how they play. Bone is the in between, in my opinion, of graphite and nylon. Almost as forgiving as graphite, but with that nylon look and feel.

[erksin]

I use bone nuts on my guitars - I just think they sound better for open string stuff.