IMO it would be long gone if it had chrome hardware
You betcha! I have a thing for white basses, and I currently have none.
From my experience with an '89 Orville it's very possible those pups are nickel under the black. If so it's fairly easy to get them shiny.
Why anybody with his taste buds right would want to remove ze black is beyönd me, you lowly mortal chromelings and nickelists!!!