re-finish of dunlavy speakers?

I own a pair of Dunlavy SCII speakers in the black oak finish. In order to improve WAF, I am thinking about applying a light maple veneer that would wrap around from bottom, up sides and across top, leaving the front black. Assuming I did a high quality job, including sanding and finishing the veneer once applied, would the mere fact that they are no longer "original" send the value of the speakers through the floor, or might there be other Dunlavy owners out there who would like a maple monolith? Similarly, as my wife and I are expecting a baby, I have been thinking about replacing the clothe grille with one of my own design: a metal frame about 20" long, covered with a metal screen that would be rigid enough to resist little fingers but still perforated sufficiently not to interfere with sound. This grille would fit over the midsection of the speaker front, extending above and below the drivers, and screwing into the sides of the speakers. Assuming the screws are short enough not to go all the way through the speaker cabinet, would attaching such a grille necessarily reduce value? Personally, I think the Dunlavys look pretty drab as is, and the addition of contrasting veneer on the sides and a high-tech metal grille on the front would dress them up considerably. My only concern is if and when I want to sell them, they are still worth something. Thoughts, o' sages of the 'Gon?