I have had two of these ES bodies with flame Maple veneer, and to me it's pretty much a miracle when someone gets a good finish out of one. A number of builders with lots of experience have ended up doing a solid color rather than a stain because it's so hard to prep the veneer, particularly if there is any glue. Glue may have splattered. The veneer is so thin it may have just soaked through.
I think you've gotten the best suggestions that I have seen on the forum. They work well on backs and sides, but sometimes the veneer on the top is just [explitive deleted].
At least one person on the forum has tried to sand off the veneer. The problem there is getting the veneer off as well as the glue layer below it without damaging the wood below. Laborious and difficult to do. I can't remember if the effort was successful.
My personal preference would be to have the option of getting a top that is identical to the back. Not as fancy, but not as finicky either. Not much help either I am afraid.
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