Maple is best with a clear coat . It's hard as a rock, and doesn't stain well. White oak stained, or , Cherry in ITS natural state. Or a "factory" finish stained maple you can see in advance, and with more guarantee in result. Not a cabinet guy local to you. If your sample IS factory....it will look as it looks. Pretty much. : )

Using conditioner definitely helps. Often, production shops not only stain but will apply a coloured mist coat to the entire surface which basically evens out the blotchiness. If your custom guy is worth his money, he will know how to do this. However, many small custom guys won't do this because it takes time and more material & most customers are not willing to pay for this. Large production shops have large spraying systems that incorporate this into the finishing process.

So, if your guy can do this, you need to decide if you are willing to pay for. If not, have a conditioner applied and you may be satisfied with that. Don't expect a high end finish without paying for the high end finishing process.

No matter which way you go, make sure you have samples made up for solid wood & for veneer so you know how your doors will look as well as your finished ends & Fridge gables, etc.

Why are you asking?

Because I’m looking for guidance like I received above.

If it costs more to condition...then just get cherry. It's not that much more. 8%-15%. And I agree with the above poster, oak is making a comeback. It's really pretty if used in a flush inset cabinet. Here is one I did with shiloh inset oak with natural elements series MOREL finish. This was a fire job and they were selling mamas house....so we went with oak so they could afford the mid-grade cabinet the insurance company didn't want to pay for. This photo shows the color the best....the others don't look true to color. It definitely has a warm grey tone.

This photo by the realtor doesn't do it justice. it's a really pretty warm gray. The can lights make it appear more brown in photos. I heard this house sold in just days after put on the market.

This is the color swatch:

The easiest way to avoid the spray on look is to change the species to cherry. The color will look much richer than using the maple.

Oak can do the job but you have to like the grain.

There was another thread a few weeks ago here of the same issue with a dark stain and maple. The poster was mortified. go with cherry, Cherry looks wonderful in dark colors.

Cherry or oak.