I'd choose a better looking one over an ugly one if they both shot the same.

Only if it improves performance.

Or, to turn that around, I'd take the less attractive one only if it shot better  

Yes. I expect a reasonably attractive bow and would probably never spend money on a bow I considered to be ugly. Further, I would expect the finish, special features, etc. to hold up. I have no problem with a simple bow, but I still want it to look nice.

Also there are those horrible people like me out there who will just go ahead and do something awful to a pretty bow like cover it in camo duct tape or worse spray paint it! hehehe why buy a pretty bow and go and do that.  

Sentiment is important to me, I guess that falls on the aesthetics side of things. My bow has 3 kinds of wood from my land, plus wood from my brother and uncle. Anywhere I take it, I take family and memories of other times and hunts.

When i start a new bow I spend days and days thinking about wood combos,overlays and ect.... So yes!!!!
I do hunt with all my bows. At least for a while, till I make another! I can't help it. It's my therapy!    

Life's too short to shoot an ugly bow.  Having said that, pretty doesn't necessarily mean fancy.  I have two bows from the mid '60s that are pretty "plain":  single wood type, colored glass, and fairly standard design.  One is a Red Wing Hunter with what I assume to be some type of rosewood for the riser and black glass.  The other is a Ben Pearson Hunter with zebra wood and brown glass.  Neither is fancy, but the wood type and glass color look great together and the overall design, riser shape, grip sculpting, etc are very attractive.  I've seen other bows with similar wood/glass combos that didn't look nearly as good due to the shape not being as attractive to me.  I've also seen high end bows with clear glass and a half dozen different exotic woods that also didn't look as good to me.

if the limb vaneers are dark, streaks will appear, it is in the clear glass, just the nature of the glass nowadays. Do not know how a bowyer would fix that or even control that, seems like it would be kind of hard unless you replace the glass and I just do not believe that is a warranty issue. Just my two cents. Now, cloudy areas developing or bubbles appearing under the glass is a different story.

No, I dont think they are important at all.  Thats not to say I dont appreciate a really fancy bow, but iver all I find the profile of bows to be what is pleaseing. Tto me a self bow is about as pleaseing as it gets, n its just wood and a string tied to both ends so it bends, or as its been referred to for 1000s of years.... a bow.

A pretty bow that has no dings or scratches is living a boring life.

QuoteOriginally posted by Thumper Dunker:
A pretty bow that has no dings or scratches is living a boring life.

Thats right Thumper Dunker, but if I've paid a lot of money for a custom with those bells and whistles, I expect that the bow is flawless and perfect

I like a pretty bow too, however, when I buy one, I use it. I don't abuse the bow, but I don't concern myself if it gets a few minor dings or scratches.

As a bowmaker, making a bow that has the performance and durability qualities I want and need means I have many challenges to overcome... but honestly, it's just the beginning.

Overcoming those challenges AND making them look and feel beautiful heighten those challenges, introduces and necessitates integration of several others, and sweetens all rewards.

Fortunately, bows can do that and I can't think of a reason to ask less of them... or me.

Yes, it is, to a certain degree. If I order clear glass, I want it to be clear, not yellowing or some other flaw. On the other hand, I ordered a two tone brown riser and got a tan and reddish-brown riser. At first, I thought of returning the bow, but the rest of it was flawless and it did actually look nice, so I kept it. You have to do what you believe is right, but then some people nit-pick about the dumbest little things too. Try not to be that guy.

Personally I dont care what my bow looks like however, If it was new and is getting condition issues where the bowyer is offering to fix i, I may take him up on it.

Since I don't shoot much when it's dark, yes, they are.