Good point Jan thanks ..its a good thing Im cautious enough not to have fixed the sub to that base yet ..its just sitting in place with a brass pin.. 
 
 Mabe Ill try a lighter wood as a  base .. with clear shellac mabe..
I saw this camo on a reference pic of an actual seehund on the internet so I know its not just a fairytale design..and I thought it looked really attractive..