Now I’ve rough cut the top to size, I can use the offcuts for real testing of the dyes (as I was using different bits of wood before). The flame grain isn’t very strong to the naked eye until you add dye, at which point it’s a lot stronger than the grain! The grain runs perpendicular to the stripes. I’m testing two bits, one dyed black first and sanded back (left) and the other straight “desaturated” purple.
This is the result after two coats of the pre-mixed alchol based dyes. Left is Black + Purple, right is Purple + Purple. There is not as much difference as I’d expect to be honest, however I’ll add a second coat of purple to the one on the left. Next I’ll try spraying them with a nitro lacquer and see how they look. I may also use another scrap to try out the powder based dye.