Book cover titled 'Art of the Stompbox' by Chris Cassone, featuring a colorful effects pedal with splash paint background, instructing on visual artistry of effects pedals with 'Coming Soon' at the top.

Hardcover coming any day now.

See FlipBook below

ACE FREHLEY

& ART of the STOMPBOX

Colorful aquarium-themed guitar effects pedal with knobs, switches, and sea creature decorations like octopus, fish, crab, and seaweed.
Snowman decorated for winter with a black top hat, orange carrot nose, and a blue scarf, holding a sign that reads 'Snow Day Delay'. Background features snow-covered trees, mountains, and falling snow, with blue control knobs labeled 'Mix', 'Repeat', 'Delay 1', and 'Delay 2' on an electronic device.

This is a simple flipbook example of “Page 1 and 2” as they will generally look for each of the fifty companies. Pages 3 & 4 will have more in text, smaller photos of 4 other pedals and some candids of the staff and the graphic artist perhaps.

My cover is a work in progress with AllPedal’s amazing “Macrodose.”

I expect to produce the entire book as a flipbook. It will be part of the “Deluxe” package of the hardcover, glossy 12”x12” coffee table book.

More to follow.

@NAMM2026 with Emily Hopkins, the Harpist with the huge pedalboard. She flipped out over the book and “had to have one.” They are coming, Emily. Paging through the book, she lit up at every pedal she had (and she had many.)

I asked my good friend, Ace Frehley, in January of 2025 for a testimonial for my upcoming book on guitar pedal art. As was usual with Ace, he had a very humorous statement as to why I was asking HIM. “I don’t use pedals,” he cackled, “I always step on ‘em.” Of course, he got that signature Ace sound with his Les Paul Custom, his vintage Marshall amps, and his fingers.

He proceeded to write:

"Chris and I have shared a passion for music and the creative spirit for years. His book, "Art of the StompBox," is a stunning tribute to the incredible artistry behind guitar pedals. If you love music, art, and creativity, this book is a must-have."

I believe that if I had enough time, I could have changed his mind about pedals.

Thanks, Ace. I’ll always love you.

A person sitting in a music studio or showroom, signing a document on a guitar. The background features several electric guitars hanging on the wall, illuminated with purple and pink lighting.

Ace signing release for the testimonial in his recording studio. He insisted that I protect myself, saying, “Hey, you never know.”

1-13-2025

Two men sitting together in a restaurant, smiling and pointing at each other. One is wearing sunglasses and a black leather jacket, the other has gray hair and is wearing a checkered shirt. There are TVs on the wall behind them showing a football game, and other people are visible in the background.

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES (as of 10-18-25)    

ACLAM

Acorn Amplifiers

AllPedal

Analog Alien

Analog Man

Animals Pedal

Beautiful Noise Effects

Beetronix

Caline Pedals

Cassongs-Keeley

Celebrity Pedals

Colortone Pedals

CopperSound Pedals

Craig Amps

Death By Audio

Dr. No Effects

Drunk Beaver

Earthquaker Devices

Effects Database

Electro Faustus

Electro Harmonix

Eventide

Folktek

Frantone Electronics

GameChanger Audio

Heather Brown Electronicals

Jam Pedals

JHS Pedals

Keeley Electronics

KMA Machines

Kosko

Matthews Effects

MZFX

Old Blood Noise Endeavors

Paradox Effects

Red Noise Pedals

Red Witch Pedals

Reuss Musical Instruments

Sketchy Sounds

Skreddy Pedals

Spaceman Effects

Spiral Effects

Summer School Electronics

SuperCool

Tech-21 NYC

ThorpyFX

UDV Pedals

Walrus Audio

Wampler Pedals

Westminster Effects

Wren and Cuff 

ZVEX

New Summary for Amazon

Art of the StompBox reveals the visual explosion on guitar effects pedals, treating their faceplates as a new, museum-worthy art form. Chris Cassone travels the world to interview and photograph over fifty boutique and legacy pedal makers—from Electro-Harmonix and BOSS to garage builders on Etsy and Reverb—capturing high-resolution, full-color images alongside histories, artist/designer profiles, and thematic backstories. The book pairs striking visuals with context: how names, graphics, and sonic intent intertwine to catch buyers’ eyes, featuring curated comparable case studies, customized “museum label” spreads, and insider stories including collaborations with players like Joe Walsh and Jack White as well as endorsements from industry tastemakers. Cassone’s background in music, production, and art appreciation fuels a compelling narrative and outreach strategy. Coffee-table-sized and accessible to players and fans alike, Art of the Stomp Box is both a celebration of pedal culture and a showcase of how design elevates sound, making it essential for musicians, collectors, gift buyers, and all their grandparents and kids.

Soon to upload a simple flipbook example of “the book as it will generally look for each of the sixty companies. Pages 3 & 4 will have more in text, smaller photos of 4 other pedals and some candids of the staff and the graphic artist perhaps.

My cover is a work in progress with AllPedal’s amazing “Macrodose.”

I expect to produce the entire book as a flipbook. It will be part of the “Deluxe” package of the hardcover, glossy 8.5”x11” coffee table book.

More to follow.

A guitar effects pedal with a black background and yellow, white, and orange lighting effects, labeled "Third Man Plasma Coil" with various control knobs and switches.

“Art of the StompBox” will be a coffee-table book showcasing the best artwork found on guitar pedals. The growing trend, especially by newer boutique companies, to make their pedals more noticeable is driving up the stakes. Many companies are even hiring established artists to bring their skills to paint the new canvas of the effects pedal.

Expect an electronic “flipbook” within the year that will showcase over 50 companies and their amazing art-faced pedals. Our cover features All-Pedals’ “Macrodose” with artwork by Patrick Valiquette. An envelope filter, “Macrodose” is the brainchild of CEO David Young and Brian Marshall of Subdecay.

Soon after will be the glossy coffee table book (12”x12”) at approximately 250 pages.

Below are a few samples that will be included in the book.

The image shows a guitar effects pedal with a vintage illustration of two men, a woman with an umbrella, a horse, and a butterfly in a desert landscape. The pedal has yellow knobs labeled Bass, Treble, Fuzz Volume, Filter, Intensity, and two gray and two metal footswitches. There are also small labeled switches: Lasso Volume, Lasso Gain, Fuzzy, and Fuzz First.