Colonel is right. Go with the brown and you can always change it if you don't like it.
Don't sweat it so much!

This, from a guy who is right now getting so far into insignificant detailing on an old frame that he has to stop himself from time to time and self-administer a dope slap.

I suspect shellac-ed brown is going to come out almost black Aaron. Go for it. Probably look great.