David,
You might already know this, but it's still worth mentioning...
The common hardware store stains have too much filler for work like this. They tend to seal the grain quickly, so it's difficult to darken or fine tune the color after it's dry, and it can also leave some unsighly dark lines in the checkering if you don't remove it quickly. They're great when you just want an even color over a large surface, but you can't do much with it once the first coat is dry.
I have had very good luck with alcohol based dye from Woodcraft, it soaks into the wood more evenly than stain and the excess is easy to dab off. It doesn't seal the grain either, you just let it dry, check the color and apply more. You can also blend in a different color, hide light streaks etc. It would be ideal for this project, as you can dilute it and dab it on to change the color just a hair.
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