Okay I am going to make a wood backplate, obviously not continous 'cos I didn't have the original wood. So the vaneers arrived  today, there are some nice vaneers here BUT which one would you people choose?

  Here is a pic of the back of the bass to give you an idea of the colour.

  Construction will start soon.....

that maple matches the neck.

None of the above, Get a piece of quarter sawn cheery, Just my opinion.
 
Chuck.

Mahogany, with some clear polyurethane to darkin it a bit.

oak with mahogany rim.

HI Terry, I already know that you have wood working skills however I would choose to make a brass cover.  If I were to choose wood I wood likely go for the Birdseye Maple with multiple coats of synthetic finish rubbed out nice.  Have fun with your project.
 
    Wolf

Thanks for suggestions guys the final choice will be a surprise but sonicus comes close!!
Brass...well I did think of that but a brass plate 175 x 105 x 3mm would be very heavy adding to an already heavy bass!

OKay I have started the build.. Here is the set out of the woods

  This is sizing up the pieces with a card template I drew from the backplate

  Measuring the thickness with an electronic caliper

  First glue application

  Second glue application to next veneer

  Clamps in place

  Okay I will leave this to set for a couple of days and update you later  Oh yes, this sign was bought for me by my son

  And this is my work bench....

  Mica..do you think I qualify for a job at Alembic..please!!!

Was that a Father's day present Terry? My son bought me the book 'Bass Guitar for Dummies'. Wonder if he's trying to tell me something.  
 
Graeme

Graeme..no he bought me that last year..I always seem to fix his car for him. Anyway..the next phase Removed plate from clamps...an afterthought was that I should have put clingfilm between the scrap wood, the glue had gone onto them, managed to prise it apart with no damage using a Stanley knife

  Placed original plate for outline and screw holes

  I drilled the holes prior to cutting the shape, easier to clamp on the pedestal drill

  Cut the rough shape with jigsaw

  Shaped the edges with Dremel rotary tool with sandpaper bit

  Test fitting..perfect..

  Sonicus..I agreed with your choice for the birds eye maple. Okay next step is the finish..call back soon

Cool!

Terry , Very Nice!    I am really quite happy that you liked the birds eye maple. Very cool .  I will watch for your finish process.

Terry, How tight is that fit? Will the finish enlarge the plate?  
 
 
Nick

Cool project! Don't forget to shield the inside of the plate after you apply the finish.

Okay people, here is a taster, first application of polyurethane

This is sprayed inside my 'portable spray booth'  a box which folds down after use, the green you see is the result of spraying old lawnmower parts which I am re building(Qualcast Suffolk Punch for you UK guys)
 
Afro..the fit is just negative of snug so the finish shouldn't be a problem, if it is I will cut it back
Mica...yep I will shield the back after completion