Necks shaped by hand
Final shaping and setup bring comfort, balance and a familiar connection.
James Tyler Guitars · Australia
If you know,
you know.
Distinctive instruments. Singular finishes. A feel players recognise from the first note.
Los Angeles · Japan · JTG
Explore the collection
Made for players
who know.
James Tyler Guitars began with custom repairs in Los Angeles in the early 1970s. Session players came back because James listened, refined and made guitars that worked for the way they played.
That player-first instinct still shapes every instrument: precise modern construction, expressive finishes and the final attention of a small, dedicated team. Global Music Imports became James Tyler Guitars’ exclusive Australian agent in 2025.
Los Angeles roots
Hand-finished details
Built around feel
James Tyler Guitars · Australia
Crafted with a point of view.
No two finishes tell the same story.
Precision, with a human touch. Technology supports the craft. The small details are still shaped, finished and checked by people who care how a guitar feels.
Colour with character
From refined classics to signature Shmear finishes, every instrument has its own presence.
Tuned for the player
Thoughtful pickup combinations and play testing help each guitar find its voice.
A detail that makes a difference
A more secure neck-to-body connection.
The USA N2B anchor system uses metal sleeves with the neck screws that extend into both the neck and body. The design increases the contact area and creates a rigid connection, helping keep the neck joint stable.
Available on USA models. Specifications vary across the range.
Designed for a clear, expressive voice.
Pickup design and electronics are tuned to give players useful range, consistency and feel.
Pickups with consistency
Tyler pickup designs draw on the response of classic single coils and humbuckers, with controlled winding patterns and carefully selected materials for a consistent, clear top end.
Mid-boost, when you want it
On equipped models, the mid-boost adds weight around 150 Hz while rolling back the brightest highs above roughly 3 kHz, helping lead notes feel fuller and smoother.
A sound heard on records
James Tyler guitars have been played by session musicians including Michael Landau, Buzz Feiten and Steve Lukather.
Studio Elite
The model that started it all.
The Studio Elite pairs a distinctive body and headstock with a versatile HSS pickup layout. The range is available from both the USA and Japan factories.
Choose from a wide range of neck woods, fingerboards and finishes. Available options include slanted and noise-cancelling pickups. Studio Elite HD removes the lead/rhythm circuit for a more direct, vintage-leaning setup.
Three ranges. One unmistakable feel.
From full custom builds to the JTG series, find the James Tyler that fits your music and your budget.
Compare the ranges.
Typical specifications shown below. Model options and build times can change; check with GMI before ordering.
| At a glance | USA | Japan | JTG · China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom finishes | Extensive options | Any custom finish | Set finishes |
| Frets | Stainless steel | Nickel | Nickel |
| Custom shop | Full custom shop | Full custom shop | Not available |
| N2B anchor system | Yes | No | No |
| Case | Custom USA-made case options | Black hard case | Silver flight case |
| Side markers | Luminlay available | Not available | Luminlay side dots |
| Pickups | James Tyler USA | James Tyler USA | James Tyler China |
| Typical build time | About 3 months | About 2 years | About 2 months |
| Tremolo options | Genuine Floyd Rose available | Gotoh available | Not available |
| Headstock logo | Selectable | Standard | Standard |
The custom shop
Your idea.
Made into a Tyler.
Choose from options across finishes, inlays, headstock logos, necks and more. Talk with GMI about creating a guitar built around you.
Talk to us about a custom buildGuitars to explore.
Shop the current James Tyler selection at GMI.
James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler USA Studio Elite HD in Fire & Ice Shmear
$11,999.00
James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler USA James Tyler USA Studio Elite in Black Ice
$13,999.00
James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler USA Studio Elite in White Shmear with a matching neck
$14,999.00
James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler USA Studio Elite HD – Reverse Jimburst over Cherry Red Shmear
$11,799.00
James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler USA LA Studio Classic – Vintage Psychedelic Vomit (Studio Elite Headstock)
$12,499.00
James Tyler Guitars