Black is beautiful baby!
BTW, to BrandonBass. Before I picked up a Valenti, I was utterly sold on my old Lakland JO5 being "the one". Got that one for a steal right from Dan off the rack in ChiTown as it wasn't the best piece of wood to go natural on. Had scars like my face so I dug it immediately though. I'm sure he didnt want to send it to a dealer, so it was a win-win.
Long story short, once I had decided on a color ( a 1996 Honda BLACK currant pearl ), had Pat Wilkins shoot it for me. Mint job. Now I have a bass whose color I totally dig, and it sings! BTW, the Valenti I love too, its thump and its 34" scale. She is dinged and scarred BLACK ( no , it wasnt relic'd, just abused in its short life) w/pau ferro (black n maple is a natual combination imho) and I dig it fine just the way it is.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have never been "bling" minded. So my "function over form" sense of astheitcs may be at play here. to Wit, actually sold a Valenti which played well as it was much too pretty with its birdseye board and LPB bod. All it took was one chic to say " nice wood", not "nice groove" and out the door it went. Freak out.
So I would take your 'Ray, slightly vintagey and all, and make it yours permanently by having it shot in the color of your choice.
To Russel, I dig what you're sayin'. Built a 67 Chevelle, original red paint. Really dont dig red so I broke it up with black stripes. sometimes a detail or two makes a world of difference. Choose a nice complimentary color pickguard and offset the all black.