I've just completed staining the Poplar on Edgar Horns (650Hz) for Speakerman. Would be great for the soft maple: 50/50 boiled linseed oil/mineral spirits wiped on and set for an hour followed by Minwax 'English Chestnut', a reddish dark brown.
Cherry also tends to take finish unevenly so it too benefits from a pre-stain or wash coat; then build layers of colors. The first item under "Highlights" is a link to 'Dyes and Staind For Oiled Finishes'
Merry Pranks Website
Ash really looks good "pickled" and this is hte best/easiest stuff to use:
Behlen Pickling StainAlmost as many opinions on Woodworking as Audio and these are just mine.