How Do They Make Matching Wood Backplates?

[scott]

I have often wondered how Alembic or other companies make the back cavity covers out of the same section of wood that was orginally covering the cavity that was routed?  Normally routing out a cavity would obviously destroy the wood surface that was covering the cavity, is there a special tool or technique (or both) involved?

[son_of_magni]

Interesting that you would ask this question because I was just wondering the same thing.  I am currently in the midst of my first bass building project.  Since I couldn't come up with any way to do it other than using a small drill and a coping saw (which would be very difficult to pull off well), I cut the back cover all the way to the edge of the back laminate.  Basically the same way that Pedulla does it.

[tom_z]

Though not actually continuous wood backplates, my Skylark (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/12937.html?1096327551) has very nice matching wood backplates. Mica's explanation from that thread:  
 
If the body wood is thick enough, we can make a plate out of the next slice, and it's a fairly convincing continuous wood look, it's only different by the kerf of the bandsaw and the sanding.
 
I don't know the techniques involved in creating true continuous wood covers, but I'm sure someone here can fill us in.
 
Tom

[mica]

Coupla relevent threads:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/3421.html
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/751.html

[son_of_magni]

A couple comments...
 
fairly convincing?  From the pictures I'd say it's more than fairly.  It looks perfect!
 
only different by the kerf... and the sanding  Isn't it really different by the kerf, the sanding, and the thickness of the plate?  You would have to flip the piece over otherwise, then you'd have a mirror image.

[mica]

You're right, there is a little more, about 1/16. The plates are laminated layers or veneer, so it's just the thickness of the veneer itself.