Jim James

James has a number of Gibson ES-335 guitars. In this photo, he is seen playing only one of them. The second one is used for "One Big Holiday" live on the Letterman. For that song, he used his Gibson Flying V as well, most notably on the Bonnaroo Festival.

In the Premier Guitar interview, he confirmed he uses one of those guitars for songwriting. "I write in my head, and then just grab whatever guitar is around. I keep just a couple of guitars at home. I’ve got an old 1950s Martin parlor guitar and a Gibson ES-335."

James can be seen in this photo playing a Gibson Flying V. He used this guitar from at least 2003, and this is probably guitar that serves him the longest. It is used to perform songs such as "Lowdown" and "One Big Holiday". Premier Guitar says that this is 1999 Gibson Flying V, which means that is a '67 reissue model.

In the 2015 Premier Guitar interview, James said : "Yeah, there are certain songs where only the V will do. It’s like a sword or something—even if I haven’t played it in a while, it’s like an old friend that comes right back to me as soon as I pick it up."

According to the Premier Guitar's gear list, James uses the 1975 Fender Stratocaster as well.

In this video, The New Basement Tapes perform “Down On The Bottom". Jim is shown playing a Barney Kessel throughout the video.

This was Jim James' second guitar, right after Harmony Stratocaster for 100 dollars.

"Aaron played that, I got a Fender Squier Stratocaster, and we just started going for it. From that moment on, I was possessed, just captivated. And it hasn’t let me go."

James used this guitar for recording most of "The Waterfall". It is unknown whether he used it live, because he usually uses the Ventura Barney Kessel model live. The guitar was also listed among the gear used in 2021 Premier Guitar interview.

I wrote a lot of The Waterfall on a Gibson Barney Kessel I found that I really love. Last night I was playing another favorite: my mom’s guitar when she was a kid, just an old, no-name kid’s guitar from the ’50s.

Seen here playing his 1976 Gretsch Broadkaster

According to Premier Guitar 2021 interview, James uses Gibson J-45.

Gibson J-185 was featured in his "gear list" during the 2015 Premier Guitar article.

Seen here playing his Gretsch Chet Super Axe. Gretsch Chet Atkins Super Axe was featured in his "gear list" during the 2015 Premier Guitar rig rundown. Live, it is used for "I'm Amazed"

According to Premier Guitar 2021 interview, James uses Gibson Hummingbird.

Jim played this guitar live in March 2023

Jim James uses the Gibson Custom Shop Jimi Hendrix 1967 SG Custom Reissue, aged by Murphy Labs. According to John Bohlinger in the "My Morning Jacket Rig Rundown" on Premier Guitar, the guitar originally featured three humbuckers, but James removed the middle pickup due to interference with his picking. Additionally, the original bridge and Maestro Vibrola system were replaced with a simple stopbar tailpiece.

According to the "My Morning Jacket Rig Rundown" by John Bohlinger on Premier Guitar, Jim James uses a 1967 Gretsch G6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Electric Guitar, which was noted to be present backstage.

According to a "My Morning Jacket Rig Rundown" video by Premier Guitar, Jim James uses a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster.

Jim James is confirmed to use a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster as highlighted in the "My Morning Jacket Rig Rundown" by John Bohlinger on Premier Guitar.