The type of finishes used can have a real effect on the color of the wood.
This statement by Brian Dudley may be the most important in the entire conversation. Take a bunch of pieces of planed and sanded walnut, and apply as many natural or untinted wood finishes to each piece as you have on hand. I did this several years ago as an experiment using clear polyurethane, spar varnish, Minwax and Laurel Mountain oil modified urethanes, Watco Danish Oil, Waterlox tung oil, Linspeed, and several other finishes. You will be amazed at the difference in the finished appearance on the same piece of wood. There will also be a difference with different species of walnut, and even with different grain or porosity within the same species. The earlier advice to use a test sample of the same wood with your choice of finish and/or stain is the best way to avoid disappointment or do-overs.
