My New Reg No.

[stingrayPete1977]

J46 UAR is currently on an S class Merc, a fairly rough one by all accounts.

[Machines]

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1469010684' post='3095017']


Careful, Machines. Mine's now eight years old. Perhaps I'd better think of a change. Didn't realise I had to keep up with the plate.
[/quote]

Let me be mkre descriptive. A knackered old C class with scuffed alloys, mismatched wing mirrors and hasn't been washed for years.

[leftybassman392]

Each to their own (and it is mostly just a bit of fun after all), but I don't follow the logic of personalised plates: after working hard to get the best possible deal on the car you're buying or have just bought, you then blow who knows how much on a personal plate (the cheapest I've seen recently was £250 IIRC, with prices rising pretty sharpishly from there). Why not either pocket the money or else spend it on something that might actually serve some purpose beyond vanity? Baffling.

Then again this is a forum largely populated by people who go through large quantities of both anguish and money so they can own more basses than they actually need to play their music...

[spoiler]Yes I know they're transferable thanks for mentioning it. Doesn't invalidate the argument though. [/spoiler]

[PaulWarning]

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1469052366' post='3095478']
Each to their own (and it is mostly just a bit of fun after all), but I don't follow the logic of personalised plates: after working hard to get the best possible deal on the car you're buying or have just bought, you then blow who knows how much on a personal plate (the cheapest I've seen recently was £250 IIRC, with prices rising pretty sharpishly from there). Why not either pocket the money or else spend it on something that might actually serve some purpose beyond vanity? Baffling.

Then again this is a forum largely populated by people who go through large quantities of both anguish and money so they can own more basses than they actually need to play their music...

[spoiler]Yes I know they're transferable thanks for mentioning it. Doesn't invalidate the argument though. [/spoiler]
[/quote]no I don't get personalised number plates either, as I said earlier, but as with expensive basses people convince themselves they'll be an investment, of course, most of the time they're anything but

[Bobthedog]

I am not convinced a number plate such as the OP's can be classed as vanity. Unless you know the person and their initials, it just looks like a 55 plate registration to the public eye.

I have a similar plate and it is purely a bit of fun for me. It is not an investment but then neither is the cost a life limiting amount of money. Disposable income is exactly what it means.

Sometimes people do things that cost money just for fun and no more. There is no need to read more into it.

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1469080839' post='3095537']
I am not convinced a number plate such as the OP's can be classed as vanity. Unless you know the person and their initials, it just looks like a 55 plate registration to the public eye.
[/quote]

Any number plate that you've paid extra for is by definition a vanity item. I had a chance to buy the plate BX15 GTS for my car. On one level it looks like a normal plate, but it would have cost me around £400 from a company that sells such plates. How many other people notice it is not really the point. If it's just the next plate out of the box, then fine. But it isn't.

To reiterate though, I don't have a problem with people spending their disposable on such things. It just seems odd after going to the trouble of getting the best deal for your new car is all. At least with a £400 bass you have the chance to get some use out of it...

[bassace]

Well, if you've brought up the matter of hard cash, BA55 ACE cost me £1600 eight years ago. I have no doubt (actually I know) that when I come to sell the plate I'll get a decent return on the purchase price. If I had spent that on an 'extra' when I bought the new car chances are it would depreciate to zero with the price of the car not far behind. So whatever ones opinion of those who display personal plates, and we're all entitled to that, it's spurious to suggest that they're a wast of money. It won't float everyone's boat but it gives me and my musical friends a bit of a smile from time to time. And as a freelance musician, last year 15 bands, my plate is no hindrance.

[Bobthedog]

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1469082386' post='3095541']


Any number plate that you've paid extra for is by definition a vanity item. I had a chance to buy the plate BX15 GTS for my car. On one level it looks like a normal plate, but it would have cost me around £400 from a company that sells such plates. How many other people notice it is not really the point. If it's just the next plate out of the box, then fine. But it isn't.

To reiterate though, I don't have a problem with people spending their disposable on such things. It just seems odd after going to the trouble of getting the best deal for your new car is all. At least with a £400 bass you have the chance to get some use out of it...
[/quote]

To me vanity is an excessive pride in one's appearance. I do not see that here. Is it any different to paying extra for a specific colour on a car because one likes that colour (not all choices are for resale value)?

Re useage, I think there also is a big difference between intrinsic and aesthetic value. Some people get "use" of an item by the visual pleasure it brings them rather than the practicality or monetary value.

I do agree re vanity and plates that spell someone's name like the Colin example above, that is self promotion and in my view; vain or at least conceited.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Bobthedog

[PaulWarning]

my Mum has a personalised number plate, one downside she found was she had a slight collision with a bus, she thought he might not have felt it and drove off (she is 90!) but he remembered her plate number because it stood out :-(

Edited July 21, 2016 by PaulWarning

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1469086237' post='3095559']
To me vanity is an excessive pride in one's appearance. I do not see that here. Is it any different to paying extra for a specific colour on a car because one likes that colour (not all choices are for resale value)?

Re useage, I think there also is a big difference between intrinsic and aesthetic value. Some people get "use" of an item by the visual pleasure it brings them rather than the practicality or monetary value.

I do agree re vanity and plates that spell someone's name like the Colin example above, that is self promotion and in my view; vain or at least conceited.
[/quote]

I think the best thing here is to agree to disagree amicably.

It's not important enough to fall out over, and as I keep saying I don't have a problem with it; I'd just sooner spend the money on something that impacts the function of the vehicle more directly. Different strokes for different folks.

[Rich]

I've always wanted either R1 CHW or BAS 515T
And if either came up and I had the money to spare, I'd buy it. I see no difference between blowing money on a private plate and blowing money on something like a holiday or a few exotic meals. Any 'vanity' that might be involved is the buyer's business, not anyone else's. This is very reminiscent of the "why does anyone need to spend £2000+ on a bass?" argument.

[Trueno]

Don't see anything wrong with a bit of vanity anyway. Obviously there's a sliding scale from pride in your appearance up to outright narcissism.
Wouldn't spend money on a reg plate, but if someone else wants to it doesn't bother me.

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1469093541' post='3095617']
I see no difference between blowing money on a private plate and blowing money on something like a holiday or a few exotic meals.
[/quote]

Not sure I'd agree with that one as it happens. However...

you presumably would see the difference between spending, say, £1000 on a private plate and spending a roughly similar amount on, say, a decent climate control system or whatever it might be (which is the point I'm making)?

[spoiler] For the record, a couple of years ago I spent a little under £3000 on a hand built guitar from Rob Williams - it's listed in the 'guitar porn' section I believe. [/spoiler]

I do get the argument; I just wouldn't spend money on a personal plate for a car. This is actually all I'm saying.

No, really.

Edited July 21, 2016 by leftybassman392

[Bobthedog]

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1469096085' post='3095644']
Not sure I'd agree with that one as it happens. However...

you presumably would see the difference between spending, say, £1000 on a private plate and spending a roughly similar amount on, say, a decent climate control system or whatever it might be (which is the point I'm making)?
[/quote]

Why not have both? They are not mutually exclusive. There is no automatic rule that says something has to be given up to allow for the reg plate.

And per you earlier point, I am not intending to fall out with anyone. Like all of us, just voicing my personal views.

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1469096631' post='3095649']
Why not have both?
[/quote]

See above.

[4stringslow]

I don't see anything wrong with it either, I just don't understand it.

If it's really a vanity thing, why not have a signwriter paint your name and/or profession/hobby on the vehicle? Or have some vinyl lettering/graphics made, like those often seen on commercial vehicles, some of which are quite intricate and artistic? Plus, you'd get an exact representation of the required name instead of requiring a stretch of imagination (and often illegal character spacing) to approximate a name or word.

Given that these options are not generally favoured, then there must be some other attraction. Fashion perhaps? Slick marketing? An overt display of wealth? Probably as many reasons as there are personal plates. No doubt someone has studied the phenomenon for their PhD thesis

Edit: here's some examples of studies and comment:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/personal-number-plates-are-all-the-rage-for-aggressive-drivers-1-1362699
http://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news-2012/personal-plates.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22169098

Edited July 21, 2016 by 4stringslow

[Rich]

Oh look, a 'study' by 'researchers'. It must be true then.

Marking territory? A readiness to defend it again incursions? The most complete load of total and utter cock I have read in years.


Note: all comments directed at said article, not you Mr Slow

[4stringslow]

I don't know if those articles are 'utter cock' or not, but it's interesting how people react to information that does not fit in with their own preconceived thoughts.

In short, new information is either instantly dismissed or totally accepted, depending on whether it supports or challenges the reader,s own prejudice. We make up our minds and refuse to budge regardless of what evidence is presented.

Here's an interesting article about this in the context of the recent Chilcott report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36744911

[Floyd Pepper]

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1469085674' post='3095556']
Well, if you've brought up the matter of hard cash, BA55 ACE cost me £1600 eight years ago. I have no doubt (actually I know) that when I come to sell the plate I'll get a decent return on the purchase price. If I had spent that on an 'extra' when I bought the new car chances are it would depreciate to zero with the price of the car not far behind. So whatever ones opinion of those who display personal plates, and we're all entitled to that, it's spurious to suggest that they're a wast of money. It won't float everyone's boat but it gives me and my musical friends a bit of a smile from time to time. And as a freelance musician, last year 15 bands, my plate is no hindrance.
[/quote]

The only other thing is that other bass players always know where you've been - how did you find the Cornbury Music Festival ? ( I was the one admiring your number plate from the car behind!
Cheers

[HowieBass]

I don't see too many personalised plates on cars in my neighbourhood but one that stood out (on a black Bentley Continental) was K1CKR - I assumed it'd be some wealthy footballer or rugby player. Fast forward a few months and I heard a car coming up the road behind me... and you know from an engine note that it's something different... turned out to be a black McLaren (a 12C I think) and now that's got K1CKR on it! I later spotted it in the car park of a small MMA and fitness gym that's just round the corner from my house... so I'm now wondering if the owner is actually a well-off kick boxer?

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1469102247' post='3095731']
I don't see too many personalised plates on cars in my neighbourhood but one that stood out (on a black Bentley Continental) was K1CKR - I assumed it'd be some wealthy footballer or rugby player. Fast forward a few months and I heard a car coming up the road behind me... and you know from an engine note that it's something different... turned out to be a black McLaren (a 12C I think) and now that's got K1CKR on it! I later spotted it in the car park of a small MMA and fitness gym that's just round the corner from my house... so I'm now wondering if the owner is actually a well-off kick boxer?
[/quote]

Is there not a brand of footwear called Kickers?

[bassace]

[quote name='Floyd Pepper' timestamp='1469101283' post='3095711']


The only other thing is that other bass players always know where you've been - how did you find the Cornbury Music Festival ? ( I was the one admiring your number plate from the car behind!
Cheers
[/quote]

Ha, FP, I've been rumbled. Were you there in a professional capacity? I made my annual visit as a punter, I live three miles away, although I had to do a Fri lunchtime gig.

I was slightly underwhelmed by the bands on the main stage, although Jamie Cullum's set was great. He's neither rock nor jazz but puts on a great show. It was the second stage where all the best stuff was at. Wilko was introduced on stage by the surgeon who saved him. Beverly Knight fronted the Staxs band and the two standouts were Booker T - rocking to Green Onions in an Oxfordshire field- and the Zombies set - with three of the original members - left everyone open-mouthed.

[stingrayPete1977]

It's all relative surely regarding the financial aspect? I know people with millions of pounds in the bank with a £750 number plate where people would suggest it's a waste (as lefty says"could have improved the car", maybe the next size wheel upgrade package or something),at the same time I stand behind people buying scratch cards in the shop,probably £10 worth that could almost certainly spend it more wisely.

No point being the richest bloke in the grave yard!

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1469105021' post='3095777']
No point being the richest bloke in the grave yard!
[/quote]

Next time I see you, ask me about the "shrine"

[stingrayPete1977]

?!