Highlighting the wood grain
Sometimes, a dilute dye works better than a concentrated dye; not diluting it sufficiently could result in extreme contrast like I have on this box lid:
I am applying Waterlox varnish to the box, including the curly maple; the Waterlox has reduced the contrast quite a bit. However, next time I will mix the Transtint Vintage Maple dye with amber dye; I believe a much more dilute dye will give better color and more subdued mountains and valleys.
— Al Navas

that grain is simply tempting, awesome finish
Thank you , Julio. I will work on getting different colors, between much lighter and this dark brown, and will share.