Wanted to bring back to life the walnut-veneered cabinet of a Hammond organ that had suffered much cosmetic damage.

First, I removed the existing finish and performed veneer repairs at a level of competence to be expected of someone with no experience in the field.  After stripping and surface prep, staining actually went fairly well on the walnut veneered body of the cabinet (but not on the splotchy pine plinth at the base of the cabinet). Finally, I applied a number of coats of McCloskey Spar Varnish Gloss using foam pad applicators (not bristle brushes). 

This was in 2009, so I am sure the finish is very much cured by now in 2015.  Although my veneer repairs were badly done, on the undamaged veneer surfaces I kind-of like the finish.  It seems to be fairly hard, and, hopefully, resistant to future damage.

The problem is that the finish is much too glossy.  The high gloss looks quite amateurish (“slathered on”) in most lighting situations. and the ripples caused by poor surface prep and varnish application sure don’t help   The photos I will attach were taken outdoors in natural sunlight and look much better than when the cabinet is indoors.

I would prefer a satin finish.  I was told that I can degloss the finish by rubbing it with 0000 steel wool and paste wax.  Can someone please confirm or refute this advice?  Could someone please provide step-by-step instructions?

I have so many points of disappointment with this project.  Sigh.   I now just want to make it visually tolerable by getting rid of the gloss, reassembling the cabinet and moving on to more satisfactory pursuits, such as playing the organ.

Thank you for any help you can provide.