Author Topic: Brass plate for bass (Read 289 times)

terryc · « **on:** June 07, 2010, 08:16:59 AM »

Mica may pick up on this..
My MK has the black cavity cover(is it wood or plastic??)
I am thinking of changing for a brass one, now looking at the thickness of this cover, a brass one would add even more weight.
So the questions are:-
Are the brass plates on Series basses thinner?
Can one be made for a MK Signature?
How much would it cost?

I could get a local engraver to cut me a piece, it's the thickness that worries me

mikedm · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2010, 09:47:00 AM »

Hi Terry,

I've had plastic (the black cover you mention) and currently have basses with brass and chrome back plates. The brass and chrome look nicer, for some have a better wow factor, and require just a little more care for something most people never see. Yes, the brass will add more weight, but to me it's negligible compared the total weight of the bass it's on. Even so, I still prefer the lighter plastic.

If you have a custom back plate made you should make sure that the person you hire knows the length of the screws and the depth of the recessed threaded posts the screws insert in to ensure the proper fit and thickness of the new plate before anything gets cut.

Hopefully one of the moderators, or others can better address your questions. I can make some guesses, but guesses they would be.

best of luck,
Mike

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2010, 10:54:00 AM »

I have a brass cover plate on my Europa and it's gold plated I don't know if it original or an after purchase decision. It is a pretty heavy piece of metal but compared to the weight of the bass not noticeable really.

jazzyvee

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:16:59 AM »

I seem to recall seeing here that the brass plates are thicker than the plastic plates.

Keith

ajdover · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:27:17 AM »

Terry - I'd go for a plastic or wood backplate. My Series II has wood backplates, it makes a huge difference to me.

Alan

terryc · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:29:02 AM »

Well thanks guys, I will be taking a caliper gauge to measure the thickness and will make a template up with the holes marked.
I have the necessary metal coutersink bits to make the screws flush to the plate.
Anymore suggestions please.

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:31:28 AM »

I may even get a piece of exotic wood from a local timber merchant and make a contrasting wwood plate...a nice evening project

terryc · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:32:35 AM »

I may get a piece of exotic wood from a local timber merchant and make up a wood plate..a nice evening project..if I do I will keep you all posted

rjmsteel · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:39:59 AM »

I think so too... They had a MK that I was looking into that was already routed for plastic plates. If I remember correctly they could do the brass plates but would do so by laminating the brass onto the plastic or would have needed to do a deeper routing, (for the brass), on the ledge that supports the cover inside the control cavity. (or something like that).

-Rich

hieronymous · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2010, 11:53:52 AM »

I was going to suggest a wood plate replacement - it doesn't have to match exactly, like you say it could make for a nice contrast.

jacko · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2010, 04:23:55 AM »

Terry. Back in 2005 I was thinking the same thing and Mica quoted me $125 for a replacement backplate for my Epic. I'd also have had to send the plastic one back to Alembic as they need to be able to line up the screw holes perfectly. A replacement brass truss rod cover would have cost $85. 5 years on I'm still thinking about it.

graeme

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2010, 06:06:44 AM »

well boys I have already sourced a timber merchant locally and he has some nice woods, indian rosewood, figured maple, bocate and bubinga.
He also said he could cut the shape and plane it to the right thickness for a mere ?20! USA guys convert please!.
I can drill the holes and spray it so looks like this week end I will be doing some choosing.

adriaan · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2010, 06:41:21 AM »

What are your plans for shielding? The plastic backplates have silver shielding paint.

terryc · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2010, 06:51:30 AM »

adriaan..I have a a tin full of the stuff.
The advantages of working on a heavy chemical plant which has it's own maintenance section.

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2010, 07:17:47 AM »

I don't know how well a solid wood backplate would hold up. Alembic's wooden backplates aren't solid. They make them using several thin sheets of wood to create their own plywood with a veneer of the chosen wood on top. The plywood approach is much stronger than a solid piece.

Bill, tgo