Black is possible, but chrome is harder. I haven't seen the black wear off easily, but then again, we done far fewer blackend brass than any other plating on hardware.
The last possible moment is now. The neck is ready for the fingerboard. I just talked to Bob and put a note on the neck that it might change to fretted. So the bass won't proceed until I hear from you fretted or fretless. Either one is fine, just tell me what you want.
