I used mahogany veneer (raw)... I'll never do that again. Raw veneer is definately not recommended for first timers (like myself)...Looking back , I needed way more wood clamps than the four I have. I'll suggest that you want start from one side you don't mind messing up like the rear. As for staining on mahogany it is not necessay. All I did was to put three coats of satin latex varnish (because I used contact cement for most of my sides)... Yes you are looking at a Marantz 2245 and it is only turned to 1/4 way up.