Mix RIT Scarlet Red fabric dye with lacquer thinner.

You can find the fabric dye at CVS, Target, JoAnn Fabrics, any craft store, etc. Price ranges from $1.59 a pack to $2.49 a pack.

Get a 10 -12 ounce glass and pour a 1/4 to 1/2 the packet in it. Fill with lacquer thinner. Strain through coffee filter into another 10 - 12 ounce glass.

The color is fire engine red. If you want to go darker, stain the maple black and sand off, then after drying put the red on. I did this and got a tortoiseshell effect for my flamed maple pickguard. BTW, I used their golden yellow mixed with Scarlet red, sanded off, then golden yellow mixed with tan on a flamed maple top. I'll try to post pictures of this guitar soon.

What's good is that it is so cheap, for $20 you can mix and mix and mix until you get the colors you like.