I like the stepped Nobel pots. I've been using preamps with them for about 25 years now.
I have no problem with the neon lamp power indicators. They're simple, reliable, and effective.
I would prefer a silver or champagne front panel, but Frank has offered these in the past and hardly anybody bought them. (I chose a silver faceplate on a PAT-5 chassis from AVA at one point and really liked the way it looked. Frank was even able to dig up silver pushbuttons for me so everything matched.)
I do think that, if I could do it over again, I would choose an EC chassis preamp instead of the SL I have now. The EC provides useful functionality over the SL.