To me solid vs veneer is like asking is 'gold plate' as valuable as 'gold bullion'.....

Working with solid wood offers strength and durability that is unequal. Woods natural characteristics does need to be kept in mind in the design, but anything less [to me] is cheap substitute.

When I cannot use wood in full form [ie some burls and figured woods with crotch grains etc] I resaw it myself so that it has real thickness but still durable.

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