For a non-international, daytime flight I would take 1B and 1C anyway (if flying upfront and want to sit side by side) in which case it's irrelevant whether old or new. No reason row 1 should be yellow in the seat reviews -- best row on the 764 (bulkhead means biggest footwell and on non-international daytime flight, the possibility of galley traffic or light from the galley is irrelevant).