Red Oak is going to be your standard wood choice here at Signs & Wonders Woodworking.  It is very durable and provides incredible grain patterns.  It does have a rose undertone that will come out when stain is applied.  Darker stains sink into this wood beautifully! 

Black Walnut - 

Black walnut wood is dark, hard, dense and tight-grained.  It's prized by woodworkers for it's strength, grain and color. 

Hard Maple - 
Incredibly smooth and creamy.  Minimal wood grain and impressive durability.