If you want more contrast might consider doing a chemicle "stain". Wine tannens brushed on the pipe then you take steel wool and put it in a jar a vinegar. The steel wool will breakdown and you paint it on. Its all I do now for "staining".
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/fresh-off-the-bench-bamboo-and-briar-rhodesion
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/fresh-off-the-bench-bamboo-and-briar-rhodesion