You may be right, and it looks like I'll get that opportunity. I just botched putting the string-through holes in.
With the other bad parts of the finish, it has enough other blemishes, that I think I may just finish with a solid color anyway. Too bad. Paulownia has a beautiful grain that is quite stunning in places. There's a spot on the back of the upper horn that I have been thinking of as the "Eye of Sauron"
If it has to get covered with veneer or plywood, it might as well get paint to. Probably well to reflect on the fact that Sauron was the villain...
I have run out of my top coat, and am thinking of switching to this stuff: