I do think I remember the ammonia staining. Both are bases. I just wipe some lye solution on there. If weak on a try piece I add more crystals.
I posted about ammonia staining. Used a lot on oak furniture, wood needs tannic acid, I soaked some pine picture frames in strong tea the used 28% ammonia in saucers and put in cardboard box with pine frames.bturned out great.
Strong Red Devil lye water can turn cherry into looking 200 years old in a manner of minutes. Start off fairly weak and add to get what you want. Works great on cherry.
Dennis