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

What are we doing this time?

Fortune-telling!

Pardon?

Fortune-telling!

What do you mean?

Well, I’m also a tarot reader, you know.

Yes, I’m aware of that.

Each tarot card has its own meaning, so I thought, why not match them with different guitars?

I only understand half of what you’re saying, but please, go ahead.

We’ll use the 22 Major Arcana cards of the tarot.

I still don’t really get it, but proceed.

Each of the 22 cards is numbered, so I’ll go in order.

Do as you please.

Oh, and just to be clear, these are my own interpretations, okay? First up is card number 0.

Wait, there’s a number 0?

Yes, 0 is ‘The Fool’.

The Fool? Really, starting off strong...

Yep. Though in the deck I have, The Fool has been reinterpreted as ‘The Adventurer’.

It changes depending on the deck? I didn’t know that.

The idea is that being naive allows for bold adventures. So, speaking of adventures...

Speaking of?

The guitar I associate with this card is the Explorer!
PLAYTECH / EX-500 White

Ah, an explorer... or adventurer? Makes sense, I guess, considering this is your interpretation.

Yeah, and the Explorer’s unique shape makes it stand out. It’s not my fault the cards dictate the order!

The Explorer reminds me of Clapton for a brief time or James Hetfield from Metallica.

Exactly! Now, next is card 1: ‘The Magician’.

A magician-related guitar? Does such a thing exist?

Well, how about a guitar packed with advanced features?

Like what?

The LINE6 Variax, for instance.

Ah, a multi-functional guitar.

Or the VOX Starstream.

That one even produces synth sounds.

See? That’s pure magic!

But still, another unconventional pick.

Moving on, card 2 is ‘The High Priestess’.

What does this card signify?

Intelligence and skill.

And what guitar fits that?

Somewhat versatile and capable of getting the job done!

Somewhat, huh? So, what would that be in terms of a guitar?

Like Paul Reed Smith?
Paul Reed Smith / SE Mark Holcomb Holcomb Burst

Or maybe a Music Man.
Music Man / StingRay RS HH Trem Vintage Sunburst

Sounds about right.

What’s next?

Card 3: ‘The Empress’. A symbol of elegance and charisma.

Different from The High Priestess, I see. So, which guitar?

A white Les Paul Custom with gold hardware! It’s elegant!
Burny / RLC-60 SW

Very specific!

Shut up!

Oh dear, the Empress persona is taking over...

Next, card 4: ‘The Emperor’.

Sounds strong.

It’s the Emperor, after all—representing authority and leadership.

So, a bold, sturdy guitar?

That’s one way to look at it, but how about the Fender Lead?

Ah, Lead for leader—clever!
Fender / Player Lead II, Neon Green

Exactly. Moving on, card 5 is ‘The Pope’. Symbolizing trust and respect.

Dope!

Nice joke!

I’m embarrassed! So what guitar comes to mind?

Since it’s about laying down the ‘law’, maybe a 7-string guitar with deep, resonant ‘lows’.
Ibanez / GRG7221QA-TKS 7-String Guitar

Wait, ‘law’ and ‘low’ are different things!

Caught me! Anyway, card 6 is ‘The Lovers’.

Romantic, I assume?

Yes, so I’d go with a double-neck SG—two necks, two lovers side by side.

And they’re buying a ‘stairway to heaven’...

Exactly!

But we’re not seeing many classic guitars, are we?

That’s just how I roll! Let’s keep going!

No argument there.

Moving on, card 7: ‘The Chariot’.

That gives me a car-like image, maybe?

So, how about something that reminds us of American cars, like a Firebird?"

That works.

Yeah! Also, this card features horses, so how about a Mustang?
Fender / Ben Gibbard Mustang Natural

A wild horse? To pull a chariot!?

Okay, let’s stick with the Firebird. Next up is card number 8: ‘Strength’.

Strength...

Just like the name says, it represents power, especially endurance.

Then maybe a tough-looking guitar this time?

That’s what I thought, but this card also has a lion on it.

Ah, I see...

So, staying in the feline family, how about a Jaguar?
Squier / Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar Surf Green

Got it... I’ll leave it to you. A lot of animals show up in these cards, huh?

Alright, card number 9 is... ‘The Hermit’.

A retired person, maybe?

Yeah, something like that. Someone with no desires.

Then that’s not us!

こConsidering we just went guitar shopping the other day!

So, what’s your pick for this one?

Since it’s about having no desires, I’ll go with something simple—a one-pickup guitar. Esquire!

That makes sense.

A Les Paul Jr. would feel a bit too rowdy for this one. Anyway, on to card number 10: ’The Wheel of Fortune!’

And what does this one mean?

It represents opportunity!

So...?

Opportunity and a wheel—it made me think of a roulette wheel.

Which means...?

Casino, of course!

Nice! The Beatles used one of those too.

Next! Card number 11 is... Wait, we’re only halfway?"

Yep, halfway already—or halfway still.

Alright, it’s ‘Justice’!

Justice?

Yes, justice! It signifies fairness and balance. And in the world of guitars, the embodiment of justice is...?

What is that?

The most balanced and versatile guitar of them all is...

What?

The Stratocaster!

Of course. No objections here.
Fender / Player Stratocaster Maple BLK

Finally, we’ve reached a classic at the halfway mark! Whew.

Well, it is your interpretation, Kizuhiko. Makes sense.

Right. Card number 12 is ‘The Hanged Man’.

Uh... is this guy okay?

It’s an image of a man tied up by his legs and hung upside down. But don’t worry—he’s incredibly patient!

Not sure that’s the issue here...

How about a Gretsch for this one?

And your reasoning?

The strings are wrapped around the Bigsby arm on the bridge, kind of like his legs are tied up. See the connection?
Gretsch / G5655TG Center Block Jr. Single-Cut w/Bigsby, Azure Metallic

Hmm... I feel like that’s a bit of a stretch...

Now for the ominous number 13—’Death’.

Yikes! He’s even holding a scythe!

For this, let’s go with a sharp and edgy guitar, like a Jackson V.
Jackson / RR24 Maul Crackle

Well... no objections to that!

Card number 14, ‘Temperance’.

Temperance?

It symbolizes moderation and self-control.

Can that even be expressed through a guitar?

It’s tricky, but how about a semi-hollow? Something like an ES-335, where you really need to control the nuances.

Nuance control... Are you sure you’re not just grasping at straws here?

Not at all! The goal is in sight!

Hang in there. (unenthusiastically)

Card number 15 is ‘The Devil’!

There it is!

Now, what guitar would the devil play?

Hmm...

A Mirage!

Oh! Paul Stanley?

Bingo!

Got it. But Kiss feels more like a band with hellish vibes. For the devil, I’d think Merciful Fate or Venom...

(Ignoring that) Card number 16 is ‘The Tower’.

The Tower?

Yes, it’s actually considered one of the worst cards.

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

I was torn about what to pick, but you see the lightning in the image, right?

Yeah, I see it.

So, I thought of a rare guitar—The Gibson Thunderbolt!

Thunderbolt? Never heard of it.

I’ve never seen one in person, but it looks cool.

As for bass... I don’t think so.

Card number 17 is ‘The Star’! It’s associated with sparkling, and symbolizes youth.

What guitar fits that?

Let’s go with the Starcaster!
Squier / Classic Vibe Starcaster Walnut

Straight to the point... Personally, I’d say this one’s the Mirage. The Star Child...

(Ignoring that) Final stretch! Card number 18 is ‘The Sun’.

Now, does it represent a big, warm sound?

That’s right. How about the Les Paul Standard!
PLAYTECH / LP400 Flame Top Cherry Sunburst (Les Paul Type)

The classic one has arrived!

But the color is important! Always choose sunburst!

I get it... but what’s the reason behind it?

Sunburst, which represents the light of the sun!

Of course! That makes sense... or does it?

It does, doesn’t it?

And... three cards left?

Yep! Card 19 is ‘The Moon’.

The Moon. What does it mean?

It represents indecision.

And the guitar?

The perfect fit! Kawai’s Moonsault!

Of course! And that’s another rare one.

And now, just before the final, card number 20 is ‘Judgment’.

Judgment? Out? Safe?

Nooooo!

So, what should we go with?

Look, there’s a rainbow.

And there are angels too.

A rainbow... it represents the spectrum of light... so!

So!

For me, the Tesco Spectrum 5 is my go-to guitar!

You’re really into it! The colorful switches do look a bit like a rainbow. Although, when I think of Judgement, I actually think of Metallica’s “…And Justice For All.”

(Ignoring that) It’s the final one! Card number 21 is ‘The World’.

This is the best card, right?

Exactly! For this one, I’ll choose the guitar that’s conquered the world!

What is it?

Rickenbacker!!
Rickenbacker / 620 JG (Jetglo)

Somehow, I’m convinced... maybe?

Yes, and everything is?

For love!