Bill,
 
    I have red LEDs on my Spyder, and amber LEDs on my Europa.  Both are awesome, and I find them extremely useful, particularly in a dark environment.  The amber LEDs are particularly bright - if brightness is an issue and you want the LEDs, you could ask the good folks in Santa Rosa to put a dimmer switch in for you.  Anyway, like others here, all of my future Alembic purchases will include LEDs.  If you can get them, do so.  You won't be disappointed.
 
Regards,
 
Alan

A dimmer would help when you're in a dark place, so you could see your hand without being blinded by the leds.  Red is a good color because it doesn't degrade your night vision nearly so badly as other colors do.  Pretty as they are, I think if I had amber or blue side leds I probably would end up tripping over my cable or mic stand and doing a face-plant on the dance floor (**($%S>S
John
And yes, never taking your eyes off the Alembic is the best insurance of all...  

Hey everyone:
 
   Thank you for your input.  You've definitely helped me to narrow my decision.  
Side LEDS: yes
Color:  Red or Amber
Still on the fence about a dimmer pot or just going with the inside screw adjust.
 
I am just blown away by the friendliness and helpfulness I consistently see on this site.  This is truly the Alembic of web clubs!  
 
Bill, the guitar one

How do you like side LED's?
 
With a little mustard, as W.C. Fields used to say! I like mine, now that I've got'em! And my experience, brief though it has been, reflects what everybody else has said, Turn them on and you forget about them after a while; turn them off and yikes, where am I?

None of my basses presently have side LEDs but I had two with them. When I used to wear contact lenses, I would often wear sunglasses on stage because my eyes were very very sensitive to stage lighting. I found them particulrly useful in that situation with regard to practicality. Just a glance at the neck just to check on things was all I needed. Wish my present basses had them.
Stoney

I love the side LEDS.  I've come to depend on them now, which is bad, because only one of my basses has them!  They are not garish at all, the audience can't see them really.  They are extremely helpful, as mentioned, in extremely bright or totally dark stage conditions.
 
Mike

Side LED's rule! The three 9-Volt batteries and the extra weight they add doesn't. All-in-all they are a worthwhile option. The cool factor alone is priceless. I just hope the LED's don't burn-out OUTSIDE of warrantee, LOL!

Three? My Epic uses 4 9volts for the LEDS and a 5th for the electronics.
Mike

The side LEDs on my MK std are a price less feature in a dark stage situation or (more likely) during dramatic stage light brightness changes, strobo lights etc. If you are gigging more often its not a luxury option to my opinion. I wish I had it on my EPIC fretless as well. Colourwise I recommend to choose a colour which you don't have as stage light. You'll see them better.