The alder isn't taking it all that well and it's nowhere near as dark as I was hoping.
I had the same experience last year when I stained a 2-piece alder strat body (non-PBG). I just couldn't get a good even balance that I was happy with. I had one particular light spot on the front that I just could get darker (and couldn't be hidden with a pickguard). Of course the back was bloody near perfect!

I ended up spraying it with lacquer (which was a whole other drama). I'm not saying you should do that, as I think you're doing good there, despite not being the picture in your head! Happens to me a lot!

Looks like the ding steamed out well. I can't find it in the pic.