PitBull Builds: FVB-4, LP-1SS, FBM-1, AG-2, TB-4, SSCM-1, TLA-1, TL-1TB, STA-1HT, DSCM-1 Truckster, ST-1, STA-1, MBM-1, MBM custom, GHR-1.
Scratch Builds: Pine Explorer, Axe Bass, Mr Scary, Scratchy Tele's.
The little voices in my head keep telling me "build more guitars"
I think that dye is a kind of stain, but that not all stains are dyes. I think TD has it right that some stains (generally called either "stains" or "gel-stains" tend not to penetrate as much as dye-stains. The other difference is that you are more likely to chatoyancy with dye-stains, and least likely with minimally penetrating stains like gel-stains. Probably a distinction without a difference if your finish is black ;-)