Why Lacquer can't get the same colors? I use to teach this stuff, and strange enough, I was taught to French Polish by George Frank him self. I first met George as a student of DCTC wood finishing course, He was promoting his first book and spent time at the school. Some years later, he was promoting his second book and returned to the school, I was an assistant instructor then.
So, in the lacquer process you sand and stain the wood, you then seal and at this time correct the color or blemishes, shading/glazing. At this point you are now working with aerosols and fine placing color is in the fan pattern of the sprayer. Great for general coloring but not so good for fine work. As I French Polish, I continue to add color and with my finger tip adding dry powder stain to any blemishes and toning/shading. In the polishing process, besides the bottle of shellac, I have shellac mixed with colors and as I polish, I can place color where and as much or as little as needed. For example, In my shop I have a cabinet that was sun bleached on one side and in moving it was scratched on the same side. At first site you would think stripping was the answer, but by toning with colored shellac and then French Patching with my finger not only do I not have to strip but can add color where and only in the places I need it. George once told me the difference between lacquer and shellac is like using a pipe wrench to repair your pocket watch. I had to think about that for awhile also.
As for fillers, in class with George we used anything we could get are hands on to fill pores, Jello [ I liked cherry ] Oreo's [ after I ate the white stuff ] Dirt, etc. As I remember, George only used pore fillers to create a look. If we were finishing, he used pumice as a abrasive more than a filler, although it did have some filling effect.
In short, and my eyes, Lacquer can't offer the fine color effects shellac can offer. Maybe I should say technics?
Minneapolis Institute of Art is celebrating 100 years this year, I have been working there as conservator/ wooden artifacts for 30 years, check out my period room [ the Frankfurt Kitchen ] one of three in the world.
Randy