Active Band Man Chats - Reading Bass Fortunes with Tarot Cards?

What should we do this time?

Fortune-telling!

Huh? We already did that last time, didn’t we?

Fortune-telling!!

No, but I mean...

You know, I’ve done tarot readings for over 10,000 people so far.

...I’m well aware.

I also host fortune-telling events, write regular columns for various magazines, and I’m producing a fortune-telling show for Amazon Prime Video!

You’re really pushing the self-promotion today.

Thought I’d go all-in this time!

Smooth... not really.

Each tarot card has its own meaning, so let’s assign a different bass to each card this time.

Just like last time with guitars. Alright, go ahead.

This time, we’ll use the 22 Major Arcana cards from the tarot deck.

Same cards as last time, huh?

I’ll go in order by card number.

Feel free, go right ahead.

Oh, just so you know, these are purely Kizuhiko’s personal interpretations, so bear with me. Let’s start with card 0.

The Fool, right?

You looked me in the eye when you said that, didn’t you? Yes, 0 is The Fool. But in the deck I have, The Fool is reinterpreted as The Adventurer.

So the meaning changes depending on the deck? That’s a thing?

It’s like, because of their ignorance, they can boldly take risks. That’s the interpretation. And when you think of adventure...

You think of?

A bass that fits the image of an Explorer!
Dean Guitars / Z Select Bass Fluence Black Satin

Same as with guitars, huh? And it’s a Dean bass. That’s pretty unique.

Alright, next is card 1! The Magician!

A bass that ties in with The Magician...?

Hmm, how about something equipped with high-tech features?

Such as?

The Roland G-77!

Sleek! But it’s more like 80s high-tech... nowadays it feels more low-tech, maybe?

Back then, people probably said, “It’s like magic!” Okay, how about this instead?
VOX / VSB-2S-RD

This one... looks futuristic, but the specs are just standard for a bass.

Oh! You’re right! The guitar version can make all sorts of sounds, but the bass version doesn’t have that.

Well, it’s more affordable because of that. That design though... makes you want to give it a try, doesn’t it?

Card 2: The High Priestess!

What does that one represent again...?

Intelligence and skill!

So, what does that mean for a bass?

Something that’s like, “this one gets the job done!”

Got it. When I take on recording gigs or other professional work, I usually rely on a Jazz Bass.

Jazz Basses are definitely reliable, but how about this one?
Yamaha / BB734A DCS Electric Bass

Ah, the always-reliable Yamaha! And from the iconic BB Series, no less. Can’t go wrong with that.

Alright, onto card 3: The Empress. A dazzling and charming person who’s admired by many.

So it’s different from The High Priestess. For a bass, that would be...?

Something elegant... how about this one!?
Warwick / Streamer LX 4st Solid High Polish White

Oh, a Warwick. Not sure how elegant it is, but hey, it’s definitely something!

Alright! Now, for card 4: The Emperor.

Sounds powerful.

Well, it’s the Emperor, so it suggests a strong leader.

Strong...? What kind of bass would that be?

Check this out!
Sterling / RAY34PB Trans Black Satin

A StingRay type by Sterling. Definitely packs a punch! When I played one before, I couldn’t even handle the power!

That’s right! Since all the Music Man basses were sold out at Sound House, we’re going with Sterling as a temporary Emperor.

Temporary!

Next up, card 5: The Hierophant. A symbol of trust and respect.

Trust?

Here’s the one!
Yamaha / TRB1006J NT

Well, since the Hierophant is about law, I thought a 6-string bass with great low-end would fit.

Another one with strong lows! The law of ‘law’ and the low of ‘low’ are different, you know.

Caught me, huh?

Of course I did! By the way, I’m following along with our conversation from the previous guitar section, too.

Always with the extra effort, huh? Anyway, card 6: The Lovers!

Lovers?
Sadowsky / Metroline Express Vintage JJ Bass Black Pearl High Polish

Between two people in love, there are no barriers... so how about a fretless bass?

Interesting angle... but calling frets a ‘barrier’ feels a bit harsh, don’t you think?

Fair point. Moving on! Card 7: The Chariot.

A car-like image, right?

Exactly! For the guitar version, I chose the Firebird because it felt like an American muscle car...

So, Thunderbird?

You got it!
Burny / TB-65 CW

Forget the car connection—I kind of want this bass for myself. It’s a bit tricky to play with the neck dive, though.

Your gear lust is alive and well, I see. Next up is card 8: Strength.

Strength... so, something rugged?

That was my initial thought, but this card features a lion. Sticking with the feline predator theme from the guitar section, how about a Jaguar bass?
Fender / Troy Sanders Jaguar Bass Silverburst

Makes sense... there’s quite a lot of animal symbolism in these cards, isn’t there?

Absolutely, meow!

…

Okay, number 9 is... The Hermit.

A retired person, right?

Yeah, someone detached from worldly desires.

That’s something we’ll never become, huh?

Hey! There’s a theory that The Fool from card 0 evolves into The Hermit after going through challenges and gaining experience. So, maybe there’s hope for us yet!

Nah, I’ll pass for now.

Since it’s a card about being free of desire, let’s keep it simple—how about a single-pickup bass? Something like a Telecaster Bass, or the original Precision Bass, right?
Fender / Made in Japan Traditional Original 50s Precision Bass

Ah, you mean Sting’s trademark bass!

Exactly! Now, onto number 10: The Wheel of Fortune. This card symbolizes opportunities!

So... what’s your pick?

This one!
Fender / Player Mustang Bass PJ Firemist Gold

A Mustang? And your reasoning?

It’s gold, so it might boost your luck with money!

Come on, you’re supposed to be a proper fortune teller!

Alright, next! Number 11 is Justice!

Justice?

That’s right—Justice! It represents fairness and balance!

Balance, huh...

So, what’s considered ‘correct’ in the bass world?

Hmm?

The very origin of the word ‘Precision’ comes from ‘accuracy’! It’s gotta be the Precision Bass!

Ah, I see your point. The Precision Bass does have a rough, wild image, but when you put it like that, it makes sense. Precision equals accuracy.
Fender / Vintera ‘50s Precision Bass Dakota Red

Number 12 is The Hanged Man! A man bound by his feet, hanging upside down—a symbol of patience and endurance!

A patient bass, huh?

This one!
NS Design / NXT4 Black Satin

An EUB?

Takes patience to carry around, doesn’t it?

Exactly! Just the other day, I had a two-stage gig and had to haul both my electric bass and EUB—it was such a hassle... Oh, that kind of patience, huh?

Ta-dah! Moving along! Next up is number 13, the ominous Death!

Spooky! And he’s holding a scythe!

Well, how about a bass that’s sharp and edgy, like a blade? Oh! This one!

Which one?

Fender / Hama Okamoto Fender Katana Bass Shell Pink

The Katana! Makes sense. Wasn’t it released last year? It definitely caught us by surprise.

Yeah, it did. Moving on to number 14, Temperance!

Temperance?

It symbolizes restraint, self-control, and a gentle, nurturing spirit.

What kind of bass fits that?

Hmm... maybe an acoustic bass? Its soothing tones are pretty fitting.
Fender / Kingman Bass Black

I see... starting to feel like you’re struggling a bit here?

I’m hanging in there! The finish line is near!

You can do it!

Number 15 is The Devil!

Oh, here we go!

What bass would a devil play?

Hmm... what could it be?

You know, that one shaped like an ax!

Gene Simmons’ Axe Bass?

そExactly! Ding ding ding!

Nailed it. But, as I said last time, Kiss gives more of a hell vibe than a devilish one.

(Ignoring that) Number 16 is The Tower.

The Tower?

This card is actually considered the unluckiest of them all.

Worse than Death or The Devil? That’s terrifying...

I had trouble deciding what to pair with this, but...
Ibanez / EHB1505MS-PLF Headless Bass

Oh, the one I want! So unlucky to be associated with such a bad card...

It’s so ominous that even a crowned man might lose his head... Muahahaha!

What’s with the villain act!? Personally, when I hear Tower, I think of Rocco Prestia from Tower of Power. Then again, Rocco’s bass was a Precision Bass… and we’ve already covered that.

(Ignoring that) Number 17 is The Star! A sparkling image, a symbol of youth.

Youth? And a bass?

This one! The Guild Starfire!
Guild / Starfire Bass II NAT

That’s got nothing to do with youth, but it’s a perfect fit!

We’re in the home stretch! Number 18 is The Sun.

Maybe something with a warm tone?
Killer Guitars / KB-Dubious Black Sun

Here it is! The model name is Black Sun!

It has a paint job that screams Japanese metal. I don’t mind it at all. Now, there are just... three more cards?

Yep! Number 19 is The Moon.

The Moon. So, what’s its meaning?

Indecisiveness, confusion.

And for the bass?
Charvel / Pro-Mod Bass San Dimas PJ IV LIME GRN MET

Charvel always gives off an LA metal vibe, but now it’s more hair metal, right?

Either works. The color was what sold me on this one!

Lime green?

Yes! In the song “Ameagari no Yozora ni (After the Rainy Night Sky)”, there’s a reference to a moon like a gin and lime!

It does show up... but, uh, isn’t it getting a bit strained?

Alright! Number 20 is Judgment!

Angels and rainbows? What’s it about?

It’s a card representing decisions, a card of strong fortune!

Is there a bass that fits this?

This one!
Ibanez / TCB1006-ALM

An Ibanez six-string? What’s the deal with that?

It’s the most expensive bass at Sound House, about 1 million yen! A major decision to buy it...!

Ah, I see... but not right now, thanks.

But this really is a gorgeous bass! It can even work as a MIDI controller!

I’m even less interested now... it’s too much to handle...

(Ignoring that) The last one! Number 21 is The World.

It’s the best card, right?

Yep! And for this, I’m going with the bass that conquered the world!

What’s that?

Rickenbacker!!
Rickenbacker / 4003 FIRE GLO

Somehow, that makes sense...?

If it doesn’t make sense, how about this one?
Hofner / Vintage 61

Right. Either way, it’s the beloved bass of one of the greatest bassists in the world, Paul McCartney.

Exactly. Because everything?

Is for love!