Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - remove stain?

I have just acquired a lovely old small table that has legs that fold up - the top is like a little card table--it looks as if it is oak or walnut--it is heavy...there are places that have been sanded and places that still are stained - it is a very smooth surface so not a lot of old wax or such to strip. My question is -and I am a dead beginner--does stripper take off the old color so I can bring the natural color up or restain? or do I have to sand off the color?:confused:

Some strippers will remove stain - some won't. One the usually does is Kwik Paint and Varnish remover, although it may not ighten up as much as you'd like. If the stripper doesn't do it, then you'll have to sand.