Thanks for the response John. I'll have to think through the point that you made re: a point curve. I have to admit to needing to study up to fully understand how to do that. Of course, what I hope for is a software fix that simple dithers the effect better for JPEG printing output so that the vingnette sliders are reliably useful (i.e. I can use it and not have to worry that it will look awful when it goes to the lab - right now vingnette and direct lab-to-customer fulfillment from my site don't appear to be compatible and that's a real issue). If anyone is aware of an Adobe software fix in the works as a LR improvement, that would be great to hear about.
Yes, it's a shame that commercial printing is so limited in terms of the files it can reproduce, where software, cameras, and inkjet printing can create images in the larger color spaces / greater bit depth. I'd love to be able to print myself or have West Coast Imaging do the Epson prints, but it's a matter of time and expense and a WHCC, or Millers, or Bay Photo or... are well suited to portrait and event needs based on the costs, i.e. it's better to have a $2 8x10 when you're selling for $20 than a $10 Epson 8x10 and to have the lab do it when someone is ordering a 350 image proof set.
Thanks again for the response John. It was certainly interesting to hear about your encountering this on your large print and how you've addressed it.