; Jim Root ( # 4 ) Active : 1999 â `` present Plays : guitar Performed in : all Slipknot albums from Slipknot ( 1999 ) to present Jim Root joined the band in 1999 during the end of recording their first album , Slipknot . ; James Root ( # 4 ) Active : 1999 â `` present Instruments : guitar Release contributions : all Slipknot releases from Slipknot ( 1999 ) to present Jim Root joined the band in 1999 , near the end of the recording of Slipknot .