Jim Root facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Root
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Root performing with Slipknot in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Donald Root |
| Also known as | #4 |
| Born | October 2, 1971 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1990–present |
James Donald Root (born October 2, 1971) is an American guitarist. He is well-known for being one of the two guitarists in the heavy metal band Slipknot. In Slipknot, he is also known as #4. Jim Root was also the lead guitarist for the rock band Stone Sour.
Contents
Jim Root's Music Journey
Starting in Music
Jim Root began his music career in the early 1990s. He played with a thrash metal band called Atomic Opera from Iowa. After that band broke up, he joined other groups like DeadFront.
In 1995, he joined the band Stone Sour. He later returned to Stone Sour in 2002 with singer Corey Taylor. Before becoming a full-time musician, Jim worked different jobs. He was a screenprinter, a waiter, and a busboy.
Joining Slipknot
Jim Root joined Slipknot in January 1999. He took the place of their first guitarist, Josh Brainard. Josh left the band while they were recording their first album, Slipknot.
At first, Jim was asked to join by Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, and producer Ross Robinson. He said no at first. But after talking to a friend, he changed his mind. He called Shawn Crahan back and joined the band.
Jim only recorded two songs for the first album: "Me Inside" and "Purity." Even though he only played on a few songs, "Purity" became a very popular song for Slipknot's live shows.
His Role in Music
When Jim first joined Slipknot in 1999, he played rhythm guitar. Later, he became a co-lead guitarist. After some changes in the band, he also became one of their main songwriters. Jim was the last person to join Slipknot's nine-member lineup that was together from 1999 to 2010.
In Stone Sour, Jim usually played lead guitar. But sometimes he played rhythm guitar too. He has said that both Slipknot and Stone Sour use a "twin guitar" style. This means both guitarists play important parts. He explained that he plays both lead and rhythm roles in both bands.
Jim has also played music with other artists. He appeared on albums by Sid Wilson (Slipknot's DJ) and John 5. He also played on the Roadrunner United project. This project brought together many musicians from the Roadrunner Records label.
In 2014, Jim Root left Stone Sour. The band said he was no longer a member. Jim told fans it was not his choice and he was not happy about it. He later said he felt the band wanted to make more commercial music. He also mentioned he was not happy in the band anymore. Even though this caused some tension with Corey Taylor, they worked through it by making new music for Slipknot.
Jim Root's Guitars and Gear
Signature Guitars
Jim Root is known for using Fender guitars. In 2007, Fender released a special Jim Root Telecaster guitar. Before working with Fender, he used guitars from other brands like PRS, Jackson, Charvel, and Maverick. He also used Guild and Martin acoustic guitars.
In 2010, Fender released a Jim Root Signature Fender Stratocaster. This guitar was similar to one he used on stage. In 2016, Fender made a special sandblasted version of his Jazzmaster guitar. This model is not sold to the public. However, you can see it in his online guitar lesson videos.
Amplifiers and Other Gear
For live shows, Jim Root mainly uses Orange Rockerverb amplifiers. But in the studio, he uses different types of amplifiers. These include a modified Bogner Uberschall and a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC. The Mesa Boogie amp was used on Slipknot's albums Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004) and We Are Not Your Kind (2019).
In 2019, Jim was seen using EMG Retroactive pickups in his guitars. EMG later confirmed they were working on a special signature set of pickups for him. These were announced in 2020.
In 2021, Jim Root shared that he was working on a signature guitar model with Charvel guitars. This new guitar series was planned to be released in August 2022.
More recently, in 2024, Jim started using a Neural DSP Quad Cortex. This is a digital sound device that models guitar amplifiers. He uses it for smaller shows and as a backup. He had previously said he would not use such devices.
Music He's Made
- Atomic Opera
- 1990: The Judgement
- Deadfront
- 1998: Nemesis
- Slipknot
- 1999: Slipknot ("Purity" & "Me Inside" only)
- 1999: Welcome to Our Neighborhood
- 2001: Iowa
- 2002: Disasterpieces
- 2004: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
- 2005: 9.0 Live
- 2006: Voliminal: Inside the Nine
- 2008: All Hope Is Gone
- 2010: (sic)nesses
- 2012: Antennas to Hell
- 2014: .5: The Gray Chapter
- 2019: We Are Not Your Kind
- 2022: The End, So Far
- 2023: Live at MSG
- Stone Sour
- 2002: Stone Sour
- 2006: Come What(ever) May
- 2007: Live in Moscow
- 2010: Audio Secrecy
- 2012: Live in Brighton
- 2012: House of Gold & Bones – Part 1
- 2013: House of Gold & Bones – Part 2
- Roadrunner United
- 2005: The All-Stars Sessions
- Other appearances
- 2006: The New Leader (DJ Starscream)
- 2007: The Devil Knows My Name (John 5)
- 2008: Got Money (Jonathan Davis and the SFA)
- 2008: Pay for It (The Son of a Clown Mix) (Mindless Self Indulgence)
- 2009: A Song for Chi (Fieldy)
Videos and Films
- 1999: Welcome to Our Neighborhood
- 2002: Disasterpieces
- 2002: Rollerball
- 2006: Voliminal: Inside the Nine
- 2008: Nine: The Making of "All Hope Is Gone"
- 2009: Of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams
- 2010: (sic)nesses
- 2011: Goat
- 2013: Jim Root: The Sound and the Story
- 2016: Jim Root: The Sound and the Story: .5 The Gray Chapter
- 2017: Day of the Gusano: Live in Mexico
- 2018: Loud Krazy Love
See also
In Spanish: Jim Root para niños
