Modifying my X750. HELP!

I recently recovered my Pantera X750 from my attic. It had been just sitting there since about 1990 when I retired it in favor of my custom Carvin. Get this... it was almost in tune still. (about 1/2 step flat). XD. However, the neck pup is bad. I'm thinking about replacing it with a music man. What do you guys think? I would also like to upgrade the 473 tone caps. Any suggestions there? I'm looking for a nice round, fat, and funky bottom. Kinda like my ol lady. LOL.
Here's the other thing... the pearl white finish is now more of a yeller... not yellow, YELLER. What would it look like if I stripped it to the bare wood and put a stain/clear coat finish on it? or is that a no-no. I am not really interested in selling it right now, but if I change my mind later, would this affect the value?
Oh yeah, does anyone know of a good, cheap bridge with the same footprint?

Thanks in advance guys. really glad i found this forum.

Not certain of anything on this but stripping that finish and paint will most likely gain you a wicked case of tennis elbow with little gained in grain. The paint used on Pantera models was Dupont product called Imron and it wears like iron.

Most all of the Matsumoku builds I've seen which were painted and stripped had grain that was worth a repainting only. Those whose grain was nice to begin with were given a natural or transparent finish at the factory from the start.

Good luck with the resurrection and document your progress for us with pics if you can.

Thanks Iceman. Yeah, I can tell it has a really thick, durable looking finish. I think i'll leave that as is. I'm waiting on parts in the mail right now, but I'll definitely document with pics. this will be my first upgrade ever. I will also be rebuilding an old Lotus (Steinberger copy) headless, P/J pup config.