I have built countless projects from hardwood veneer ply over the
years with pretty good success.....until lately. I expect the veneer
on ply to stain with a little softer grain definition than solid
wood. And I expect big-box ply to appear less crisp, but still stain
evenly.

While building our house, I bought higher dollar 3/4" oak veneer
plywood from a local lumber yard and the sheets looked first-rate off
of the truck. Very smooth surface, no corner dings, well matched
veneer edges and even the back side looked very crisp. We built two
matching cabinets for our master closet and the first stained
blotchy. Almost reminded me of staining pine without conditioning.
We wiped the second down with pre-stain conditioner (which I have
never had to do before) and it was.... well, less blotchy. In
addition to blotch, the grain crispness was pretty much on par with
what I expect from 1/4" luan-based ply that is sometimes used in
cabinet backs. In other words, soft looking and absent of any sharp
grain appearance.

Anyone else have similar experience with veneer plywood lately? Also,
any cures? I am getting ready to start a fireplace surround that will
be of panel construction with several oak ply panels. I would like to
do better this time.

RonB