Well, since i want to use the old veneer as a template....what worked was putting the beastie in my rice steamer....popped off in about 20 minutes. Now the donor piece will languish above the woodstove to dry completely. Considering that this mando has been waiting for parts for oh, two years now, what's a few more days, eh? I will fix no mando before it's time! Think am going to use the donor piece for veneer....it is really nice birdseye maple, and sanded down a bit, will work well. Now if i can just find a teeny weeny blade for my dremel tool to get the thick parts off of the back....thanks for all the help, gang.