Active Band Man Chats - Small Items Divined by Tarot Cards

So, what’s today’s topic?

Using my tarot cards, as a fortune teller...

Stop! That’s a topic we’ve already done before, right?

I remember! But this time, the angle is different!

Angle...? Last time, we focused on the guitars and basses.

This time, it’s small items!

Small items!?

So, today’s topic is divining, with tarot cards, what small item you need right now!

Ehhh... Well, okay then. Let’s get started.

Ah, just so you know, this is my own unique interpretation, but let’s start with the card number one.

Okay.

The Magician!

Are there any small items related to the Magician?

How about a capo, which lets you change pitch as easily as magic?
Kyser / KG6 Rose Wood

...That’s kind of forceful right from the start, huh?

Now, the 2nd card, The High Priestess!

Uh...

She represents intelligence and skill!

So what does that mean?

D'Addario / PW-SHG-01 String Height Gauge
Use this string height gauge to measure accurately and deepen your knowledge of guitar structure and mechanics!

I see... I understand... maybe?. So, what’s the 3rd one?

The Empress – someone glamorous and popular.

What small item is associated with being popular?

A cloth to polish and keep your instrument beautiful!
Freedom Custom Guitar Research / SP-P-10 Polish Cloth

Hmm, yes, personal grooming is important.

Now, the 4th card is The Emperor.

Sounds powerful.

It’s The Emperor, so it signifies a strong leader.

And how does that apply to small items?

Just like the Emperor has a throne, your guitar should have a stand!
Hercules Stands / GS200B

Okay, now for the 5th card, The Hierophant.

Oh?

It symbolizes trust and respect. It also has associations with having a good voice, so how about changing the tone knob?
Montreux / Vintage Tint Top Hat knob Gold (2)

Oh?

Alright, the 6th card is The Lovers!

(Ignoring me, huh...) The Lovers?

How about this?
Fender / 11-Hole '60S Vintage-Style Stratocaster Pickguard Mint GR

And the reasoning?

I will protect you!

That makes sense... kind of?

You know, I’ve always thought of pickguards as bodyguards for guitars.

Hmm... Well, I guess you could see it that way. They protect the body from picks, after all.

Exactly! Just like protecting a lover!

Alright, alright.

Next, the 7th card is The Chariot.

A vehicle, maybe?

Then it has to be something that spins like wheels—this!
Fernandes / Stainless Screws for Pickguard Metric

Oh, stainless steel... You really dug that one up, huh?

Next up... the 8th card, Strength.

Strength, huh...

How about a handy toolset for heavy-duty tasks?
Ibanez / MTZ11

Alright, the 9th card is... The Hermit.

A retired, reclusive person, maybe?

Yeah, something like that—someone without greed.

So, what’s the item?

For someone without desires, they wouldn’t carry unnecessary items or make extra noise...
Gruv Gear / FretWraps String Muters Small Sky

Ah, FretWraps. I’ve recently started using them—they’re great. They slightly tighten the sound. Might not be ideal for someone who loves their sound to ring out, though.

Alright, we’re up to the 10th card: The Wheel of Fortune.

A wheel, right?

Exactly!
Jim Dunlop / 222 Brass Slide Medium/Medium

More of a cylinder than a wheel, but sure...

Cut me some slack! Alright, next up! The 11th card is... wait, we’re only halfway?

Yep, either halfway already, or still halfway to go!

So, the Justice card!

Justice?

Justice! It symbolizes fairness and balance!

And the accessory?

Something to set things right—a clip-on tuner!
Snark / SN-1X

There are a lot of these out there, huh?

Yeah, I actually just bought the SN-1X clip-on tuner recently.

And now, the 12th card is The Hanged Man.

Hanging by a rope? So... something rope-like!?

Oh, you’re getting sharp!
Oyaide / QAC-222G LS/5.0

Ah, I see... a cable.

Cables really vary, don’t they?

Yeah, and each brand has its own characteristics... So, why Oyaide?

No particular reason...

Then you should go with Sound House’s original brand, CLASSIC PRO!

Good point! CLASSIC PRO offers a variety of lengths and colors. Alright, here’s one. Wow, 10 meters at this price? Incredible!
CLASSIC PRO / GIC100/GREEN

Alright, next. The ominous 13th card: Death.

Scary! And it’s holding a scythe.

Well, this fits perfectly:
PICKBOY / SC-150 String Cutter for Steel Strings

Hmm... yeah, I can’t argue with that.

14th card: Temperance.

Temperance?

It symbolizes self-restraint and balance in controlling oneself.

Can that really be expressed through an accessory?

How about this?
Fernandes / Lemon Oil

Oil, huh?

Temperance also implies the idea of maintaining balance and moisture, so it works. Plus, this has been a long-selling item.

True, it’s been around for quite a while.

Card 15: The Devil!

Here it is! What kind of accessory could represent a devil?

This one!
Freedom Custom Guitar Research / Noise Hell SP-D-01

???

A noise-reduction paint, playing on the pun between ‘減る (heru)’ and ‘hell’.

Ah, clever name!

Alright, that works.

“Works”!? Alright, next up is Card 16: The Tower.

This is actually considered the most ominous card of them all.

Even more than Death or The Devil? Yikes...

Better safe than sorry!
Fender / Classic Series Wood Case Strat/Tele Tweed

A hard case, huh...

Card 17: The Star! A glittering image, often symbolizing youthfulness.

What’s the accessory?

Ah, I found a great one!
Moody Straps / 2.5" 6 Star Leather Backed Strap - BK/BK & 6 GD Stars

A star pattern! Definitely a high-end item. You’ve got quite an eye for finding these things!

Alright, let’s push through to the finish! Card 18: The Sun.

What’s the pick?

This!
Nekodamari Workshop / Handmade Clear Beeswax Polish - Sunny Aroma

Sunny Aroma...?

It’s perfect!

And... just three cards left?

Yep! Next is Card 19: The Moon.

The Moon. And what’s the item?

This also represents moisture and hydration, so here:
Fernandes / Dr. Dry - Humidity Control Material for Instruments

Makes sense!

And now, the second-to-last card: 20, Judgment.

Alright, what’s it going to be?

This is a card representing decisions, so how about something that defines your sound?
Lindy Fralin / Hum-Cancelling P90 Dogear Bridge Black

A pickup? That’s more than just a small accessory, though...

(Ignoring that) And finally, the last card: 21, The World!

This is the best card, right?

Exactly! It’s about entering a whole new world. You know what? Just go ahead and get yourself a whole new guitar!

Wait, that totally breaks the theme!

It’s fine—this is the perfect excuse! Because, after all...

Wait, hold on. Did we actually go through all the cards?

We... didn’t! There’s the 0 card!

I knew it! I wasn’t a staff member for your tarot reading events for nothing!

You sly devil! Alright, card 0: The Fool.

The Adventurer.

Exactly! So now’s the time to try something you’ve never dared to before—be it strings, picks, or whatever else!

It looks like you just threw that together, but somehow it works! Alright, everyone, thanks for sticking with us. Whether or not this was helpful, we hope it inspires you to explore new accessories and make your musical life even better.

Because everything is...

For love!