Have you considered drilling the holes, then applying the veneer, then drilling through the veneer with a round file instead of a drill bit? It might be possible to use an exacto blade to quickly cut around the edge of the hole, then string. If the veneer is very thin, 1/64th of an inch, you might be able to punch it through cleanly with the end of a tuning pin using finger pressure. You might be able to brush very thin hot hide glue on the back of the veneer, let it dry enough to lose some of the water, then iron it on. I did this once, but I cannot remember the project. ( It was not an open faced pinblock.) I used this technique in player work, gluing on cloth right over the needed ports, then cutting out the holes when dry. It made for a very accurate and clean job. Bill Simon Phoenix
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