The Stompbox (Paperback)

by Art Thompson (Author) "Compared with luthiers and amp builders, stompbox makers have always been on guitar gear's lunatic fringe, getting about the same degree of peer respect as..." (more)
Key Phrases: fresh fuzz, octave box, tape echoes, Fuzz Face, Thomas Organ, Tone Bender (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Stompboxes are fuzz boxes, wah-wah pedals, reverb and tremolo bars, and other add-on devices electric guitarists use to distort and sculpt their instrumentÕs sound, creating outrageous effects. Packed with 200 photos, this entertaining book depicts the development of these odd little analog units, and describes how theyÕre making a comeback - even over todayÕs digital effects. 7-1/4 inch. x 11 inch.

Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879304790
• ISBN-13: 978-0879304799
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,025,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting HISTORY book., August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This book is full of old stompbox pictures and interesting stories from their creators. The first part deals with the evolution of the different effects, and the remainder of the book tells the stories of the manufacturers. This really is a HISTORY book set mainly in the 1960s and 70s. While there are a number of references to artists who have used the effects in question, I would have liked more track-specific references so that I might really know what these things SOUND like.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first book of it's kind. We've waited a long time!, August 1, 1999

By	Bruce Barr ([e-mail]) (Chattanooga, TN) - See all my reviews

This book has a great deal of information for those of us who like Stompboxes. What a wealth of knowledge that has been accumulated by Mr. Thompson that we should all be thankful for. I have been collecting stompboxes for over 25 years and found plenty of new information and history that fills in many of the voids that I had. I would love to see it in color photos as I'm sure the future will have that in store. Good Job! Bring us more!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A blast from the past and lotsa history & research here, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

As the US/Canadian importer and distributor for Roger Mayer professional effects I found this work to be detailed and accurate. For late generation players it's a rich resource on not only the electronic and package designs but more interesting to me, the people and events that shaped their existance and how they evolved. Thanks to a Art for much hard work.