[Austin W Hogan]

Ed; I haven't found any evidence of stain on any shellac stocks I have scraped. I have one that seems uniformly dark but has no evidence of pigment in the pores. Perhaps it was dyed as part of an old refinish.

Generally, amber /orange shellac darkens the wood. I have some original stocks that seem dark, and others light. I have generally thought this was due to difference in aging processes.

I have darkened shellac/oil "French polish" with lampblack, but experiment first. I generally get my lampblack from the stove door, but it is available from artist suppliers.

Best, Austin