I admire the look, and I admire the art. But it's not something I'd ever get for myself -- any more than I would go (or ever would have gone) that direction with engraved firearms. I see those things as primarily for hanging on a wall or in a display case -- not for actually using. To me, it's like engraving my favorite hammer. It neither makes it a better hammer, nor does it make a hammer into a piece of fine jewelry.
Don't get me wrong: I don't look down on anyone who does this. It's just not something I'd do. But I also wouldn't avoid buying an instrument that was engraved. I'm just pretty utilitarian in these things.
Gary Merrill
Wessex EEb Bass tuba (DW 3XL or 2XL)
Mack Brass Compensating Euph (DE N106, Euph J, J9 euph)
Amati Oval Euph (DE 104, Euph J, J6 euph)
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba (with std US receiver), Kelly 25
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone (DE LB K/K10/112/14 Lexan, Brass Ark MV50R)
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Olds #3)