Maple 100% and get the upgrade. Never seen good cherry that was as nice as good maple.
To be fair, the strongest and best of all wood species will be of the straightest most boring grain. Flames, tiger stripes and quilts are going to be weaker due to their cross grain "features". Now the strong grained wood is probably best for a war weapon, and a bling laden tiger stripe wood is best for those civilians who relish the art of the long gun. To each their own and for me I rate a trad ML thisaway in a prioritized order ...
1. function - fast ignition, accurate with a "loose ball" load, not fussy with 'tween shot cleaning, and just "feels" good
2. form - after all the bling wood guns I've stuck together I must admit a preference for a plain wood gun
Jim - which gun that I finished were your referring to?