We didn't have it last year!
It is a quite recent edition.
Essentially we got it because custom engraving is so expensive, and the quality of the work is quite variable. Also it makes it easier for us to develop different amp models on the same chassis, as well as one offs. The set up costs are usually prohibitive if you go to an external engraver for less than say 20 panels.
The cheapest deal we found for engraving Traffolyte panels (as used by Hiwatt) for the front of our amps was £15 + VAT each for 20. Add a back panel and a logo, and the panels now cost more than the mains transformer!!
Not only is this expensive, it also means you have to commit to that design and don't have any opportunity to try different ideas.
As I'm sure your well aware, cosmetics are very important.
We do aleady do engraving for a few trade customers and we will do one offs for DIYers etc, but we didn't want to advetrise our services until we had a) worked out how to use the machine (I say we, I mean Dave who works with me), and b) got the Guitar Nation 2010 show out of the way.
As the machine will also rout, we do our PTFE eyelet boards on it. Takes about 2-3 minutes per board, which is much better than me using doing it with a pillar drill!
We've also routed a couple of fingerboards for custom inlays (for the Frenchman in basement!), and are currently working out how to do the inlays themselves.
