[David G4EBT]

The only veneering project of any sized that I've completed which - though not radio related might be relevant to your project is a lidded box that I made for my son in which he had particular boxed sets of DVDs he wished to store. I made it with furniture grade beech through and through plywood (not DIY store construction grade ply) and veneered it in rift cut oak veneer, which I applied with traditional hide glue.

He wanted it stained dark oak (which wouldn't have been my choice), so having lightly sanded the veneer to 320g, I applied a coat of dark oak spirit stain with a brush, then when it had dried, applied a coat of shellac sanding sealer, diluted 50/50 with thinners (meths). Another light sanding and three coats of clear gloss auto varnish. See pics below. (Inside the box, I only needed to stain and spray the lid as I lined the box with felt covered panels of MDF).

Pic 1: Box showing underside of lid.
Pic 2: Box with lid on.
Pic 3: Box stained and finished.
Pic 4: Felt covered panels.
Pic 5: Panels in place.

Hope that might help a bit.