Thunder 1A nut

Hi all
I am seeking advice/opinions here, please
I want to get rid of the tatty old retro fitted plastic nut on my left handed July 1984 Thunder 1A and replace it with something like the original
Looking at the December 1983 review on the info site, they clearly state that a brass nut is fitted
The picture on the home page of this site also shows a brass nut on the headstock picture (belonging to Barry, I believe)
BUT
It has been mentioned that the original may have been graphite, in fact looking at all the used 1As' on the interweb, most of them appear to have black graphite nuts
I can get hold of either - but what was originally fitted, anybody know ???

Thanks in advance
Ian

Hello Ian. Yep, that's my Thunder alright, one of two that I have.

Brass nuts were indeed original equipment on the Thunder IA's as well as many other Matsumoku models.

I once asked Tom Presley about the use of brass and his best recollection was that it was simply an inexpensive and available material. There was no real design rationale behind using it.

Together with a brass bridge and saddles this increases brightness and sustain. But some folks think it's too bright and replace the nut with a graphite compound to soften things a bit.

Both materials are self lubricating so there's no real advantage of one over the other there. Whatever is your preference.

Thanks Barry. That was as I suspected.
It is a lovely guitar as it is, but I want to get the guitar back to looking as original as possible ( I am an engineer who used to restore motorbikes as a hobby, so I like to get the details about right)
I am not a pro musician so the finer points of tone won't bother me too much
Cheers
Ian

Hey it's OK to be little obsesive-compulsive about it. It's a Westie!
The Spectrum line has a graphite-type nut so it's not out of line to consider one.

And, some Mats models have a bone nut. Seems to make a subtle difference on one of my Vantage instruments with MMK53/61 pups.

But before anyone gets too carried away, remember that the nut mainly has influence only on open string vibration. Barre chords essentially make it just another component of the head stock.

From around 1984 they used graphite nuts on all Thunders I's, including bass guitars. Previous to that brass.


Some of the photos in the catalogues are just stock photos but state graphite in the specs.
link

More choices ! As you suggested previously, Damian.
Maybe graphite will be the best choice from a playing point of view then
Thanks for all the comments
Cheers
Ian

Ian D wrote: I am an engineer who used to restore motorbikes as a hobby, so I like to get the details about right
Cheers
Ian

Good hobby indeed, also one of mine...

Original = Graphite