That is why I liked the Artificer. If you were in a jam and needed a weapon of a specific alighnment of ability, give it to the artificer. I just wish he could cast the lower level augments quicker at higher levels.
I myself hate carrying around more then one melee and one ranged weapon. If you play a character that needs a light load to function, multiple weapons can be a pain. Maybe it is just my DM's, but I've also never had the money to spend upgrading more then one weapon unless I forget about my armor and supplies.
Anyway. The rules are a base. I don't think changing it basck to the old way in your own campaign will throw the balace off much. But that is just my opinion.