Birth name James Donald Root Years active 1991–present Role Musician Parents Kathy Root | Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter Name Jim Root Height 1.98 m | |
Also known as #4, The Peach, The Jester, Stuperbee Born October 2, 1971 (age 53) Las Vegas, Nevada ( 1971-10-02 ) Genres Heavy metal, alternative metal, nu metal, alternative rock, groove metal, post-grunge, metalcore, thrash metal, speed metal Instruments Guitar, bass, keyboards, drums Movies Disasterpieces, Behind the Mask Similar People Mick Thomson, Corey Taylor, Shawn Crahan, Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison |
FRET12 Presents: A Free Lesson from Slipknot's Jim Root - "Devil In I" (Loudwire Exclusive)
James Donald "Jim" Root (born October 2, 1971), also known by his number #4, is an American musician known for being the rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Slipknot, and the former lead guitarist for alternative metal band Stone Sour.
Contents
- FRET12 Presents A Free Lesson from Slipknots Jim Root Devil In I Loudwire Exclusive
- Fret12 jim root the sound the story guitar tour
- Life and career
- Equipment
- Discography
- Filmography
- Songs
- References

Fret12 jim root the sound the story guitar tour
Life and career

Root began performing with the thrash metal band Atomic Opera from Iowa in the early 90s, not to be confused with the hard rock band Atomic Opera from Houston, Texas. Soon after they split up he went on to perform in bands such as DeadFront and Stone Sour; the latter which he joined in 1995, and returned to along with vocalist Corey Taylor, during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter, waiter, and busboy.

He joined Slipknot in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist, Josh Brainard, who left the band during the recording of their self-titled album, reportedly after having fulfilled his recording duties. In fact, the only two songs Root recorded during the album's sessions were "Purity" and "Me Inside", the former being featured on the short-lived first pressing of Slipknot as well as the 10th Anniversary Edition, and the latter being its replacement. Despite this, the song has become a staple for most of the band's live performances. Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor invited Root to join the band based on Taylor's past experiences working with him in Stone Sour.

Although filling in the spot of rhythm guitar in 1999, Root is considered to be one of the band's main songwriters and has written lead guitar parts for Slipknot's later albums particularly on All Hope is Gone. Of Slipknot's nine member lineup which lasted between 1999 to 2010, Root was the last to join the band. Root typically performed lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he sometimes played rhythm. He has spoken of both bands' guitar style as being twin guitar: "In both bands, I fulfill both roles. In Slipknot, Mick [Thomson] has some solos, and in Stone Sour, Josh [Rand] has some solos." During the recording of Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously.

Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot turntablist Sid Wilson's DJ Starscream album The New Leader and John 5's The Devil Knows My Name, for the song "Black Widow of La Porte", and also appeared on the Roadrunner United project, performing the solo and harmony guitars on "Tired 'N Lonely" from the project's album The All-Star Sessions. He also appeared on Jonathan Davis and the SFA´s cover of Lil Wayne´s "Got Money".

Root has been in a relationship with Lacuna Coil singer Cristina Scabbia since 2004. This is seen on both their social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. He currently owns a home in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

On 17 May 2014, Stone Sour released an official statement saying that Root was no longer a member of the band. Root stated he felt the time was right for him to leave the band.
Root is known for being left-handed but playing guitar right-handed.
Root has rarely been seen singing backup vocals. He sang on "Get Inside", "Inhale" and "Last of the Real".
Equipment
In July 2007, Fender released the Jim Root Telecaster. Prior to his endorsement deal with Fender, Root had been seen using PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick electric guitars, and Guild and Martin acoustic guitars as well as a wide range of effect pedals and amplifiers. In a 2009 performance for Eurockeennes, Jim used a Gibson Flying V.
In January 2010, a Jim Root Signature Fender Stratocaster was unveiled on the Fender website, similar to the one he has been seen using on stage, as of March 2009. In 2012, Orange announced a new signature Tiny Terror amp based on their Rockerverb 100, Root's main amp, called the #4. Then, the Squier Telecaster signature model was released, similar to the first Fender Telecaster Jim Root signature. The white model comes with a black pickguard and the black model comes with a white pickguard. Both Squiers have a maple neck and rosewood fretboard (22 frets). Jim's signature Squiers do not contain EMG 81 and EMG 60, instead containing Covered Passive Humbucking Pickups (Neck and Bridge).
The Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster was unveiled at NAMM 2014. It has the same specs as the Jim Root Stratocaster. It only comes in flat black with an ebony fretboard.
Discography
Filmography
Songs
XIX
Duality
Psychosocial
The Devil in I
Before I Forget
Snuff
Bother
Wait and Bleed
Killpop
Through Glass
Vermilion - Pt 2
Dead Memories
AOV
Left Behind
People = Shit
Sulfur
Spit It Out
Vermilion
Eyeless
The Heretic Anthem
'til We Die
Disasterpiece
Pulse of the Maggots
The Negative One
The Blister Exists
Do Me a Favor
Sarcastrophe
Surfacing
Zzyzx Rd
Say You'll Haunt Me
My Plague
Hesitate