We're thrilled to announce that These Go To 11 is now an official James Tyler Guitars dealer!

That means you can now order the full range of Tyler guitars directly through us. Looking for something truly special? We have open build slots for Tyler USA in 2025 — get in touch to reserve yours!

In the 1980s, James Tyler gained a reputation in L.A.’s booming music scene by customizing guitars for top studio musicians like Neil Stubenhaus, Michael Landau, and Dann Huff. Working from a small North Hollywood shop, James crafted instruments using Schecter and Kubicki parts, eventually creating his own unique headstock and the Studio Elite model, first shown at the 1987 L.A. Guitar Show.

Throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, Tyler’s popularity grew by word of mouth. He developed signature finishes like Psychedelic Vomit and Burning Water for players like Mike Landau. He also introduced the Classic model, Tyler basses, and the Ultimate Weapon for harder rock tones.

In 1993, Tyler Guitars was featured at the Ultimate Guitar Show alongside legendary brands. By the late ’90s, James launched the Studio Elite HD and created the distinctive “shmear” paint finishes. The 2000s brought further innovations, including new pickup lines and models like the Mongoose Retro.

In 2007, Tyler collaborated with Line 6 on the JTVariax modeling guitar. Later that year, James faced health challenges, scaling back production during recovery. He returned strong, celebrating milestones like 40 years in guitar making, the 25th anniversary of the Studio Elite headstock, and limited editions of his iconic models.

Today, James Tyler Guitars continues its legacy with high-end instruments and a mid-priced Japan line introduced in 2016 and the JTG China line introduced in 2025..