The Fender Reflecting Pool is a combined delay and reverb pedal from Fender, aimed at players who want both time-based effects in one box, particularly shoegazer and ambient players who live on long trails and rhythmic repeats1. It is a digital, multi-mode, stereo, tap-tempo pedal1, unveiled at Summer NAMM in July 2019 as one of six new Fender stompboxes1.
On the surface it looks like a combination of two pedals Fender already made, the Mirror Image Delay and the Marine Layer reverb, taken substantially farther23. Guitar World's Trevor Curwen described it as Fender's take on the combined delay-and-reverb genre, noting that both effects offer nine variations each instead of the six on those earlier pedals3.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Reflecting Pool serves up delay and reverb together, with separately footswitchable sections that can be used independently or at the same time, the delay feeding the reverb3. The routing path is reversible, so you can flip which effect comes first1.
The delay side offers three modes, digital, analog and tape1, changed via Type, subdivision and Quality switches4. The Quality control is a "vintage factor" that, along with the Variation control, shapes the effect's sonic character and palette1. Subdivisions of 50, 66 and 75 percent are switchable7.
The reverb side has hall, room and special types with three variations each7. A dedicated Tap Tempo footswitch keeps delay repeats in time with your playing15.
| Section | Controls | Switches |
|---|---|---|
| Reverb | Decay, damping, level, "extra" | Hall/room/special; variation 1/2/3 |
| Delay | Time, feedback, mix, level, modulation rate and depth | Digital/analog/tape; 50/66/75% subdivision; quality 1/2/3 |
| Footswitches | Reverb bypass, tap tempo, delay bypass | LEDs on/off; true/trails bypass |
All controls and switch options as listed by Guitar.com's review7.
No battery. The Reflecting Pool runs on a 9-volt mains supply only, and the supply is not included7. Guitar.com noted that its digital processing would drain a PP3 battery in minutes, which is why Fender left battery operation out7. Plan on a pedalboard power supply.
Stereo, bypass and connections
It is a true stereo pedal4 with stereo inputs and outputs1, so it fits a two-amp rig or a stereo loop, and it works in mono through the Left/Mono jacks3. There is a tap footswitch input and a USB input for firmware updates7.
The bypass is selectable between true bypass and trails2. As Sweetwater's demo explained, the true bypass is relay-based, which has a practical benefit:
"It's selectable for true bypass or trails. The true bypass is done with a relay. So, if you pull the power, audio still goes through2."
Don Carr and Stan Cody, Sweetwater demo2
Where it came from
Fender unveiled the Reflecting Pool at Summer NAMM 2019, in a batch of six new pedals that also included the Pour Over, Smolder, Compugilist, The Trapper Fuzz and MTG: LA4. Guitar.com's news coverage at the time described it as relying on "cutting-edge" DSP, touted to be equally adept at replicating classic trails and summoning new sounds4. gearnews framed it as a stereo delay and reverb pedal focused on ambiences and rhythmic delays6.
What reviewers said
In Sweetwater's 2019 demo video, Don Carr and Stan Cody called out "really really good fidelity and low noise on this pedal"2.
Guitar.com's Richard Purvis reviewed it in February 2020 as part of a six-pedal Fender roundup and gave it 8 out of 10 overall7:
"A bit hissy, but covers all reverb and delay bases in style"
Guitar.com verdict, Richard Purvis7
The "a bit hissy" caveat is worth weighing against Sweetwater's low-noise impression27; the two impressions differ, and both are from published sources. Guitar World's Trevor Curwen reviewed it later and placed it in context against the Mirror Image Delay and Marine Layer, noting the nine variations per effect instead of six3.
Sweetwater's demo video walks through the pedal's delay and reverb sections, the routing, the tap tempo and the relay true bypass, with Don Carr and Stan Cody playing through the various modes and commenting on the pedal's fidelity and noise floor2.
Videos
Fender
Chords Of Orion
Jackson Brooksby
News
Questions
Does the Fender Reflecting Pool take a battery?
No. It is powered by a 9-volt mains supply only, and the supply is not included with the pedal. Guitar.com noted that its digital processing would drain a 9V battery in minutes, so Fender left battery operation out. You will need a 9V power supply or an isolated output on your pedalboard power brick.
Can you change the order of the delay and reverb on the Reflecting Pool?
Yes. The routing path is reversible, so you can set which effect feeds which. By default the delay feeds the reverb, but the pedal's routing can be flipped. The delay and reverb are also separately footswitchable, so you can use either one on its own or both together.
Is the Fender Reflecting Pool true bypass or trails?
Both, because it is selectable. An internal or panel switch lets you choose true bypass or trails, where the tails of the effects continue after you switch off. The true bypass is done with a relay, so even if you pull the power, your dry audio still passes through the pedal.
Is the Fender Reflecting Pool analog or digital?
It is digital. The pedal relies on DSP to produce its delay and reverb sounds, with digital, analog and tape delay modes all modeled in software rather than generated by analog circuitry. Guitar.com described it as relying on cutting-edge DSP for its effects.
Is the Fender Reflecting Pool stereo?
Yes. It is a true stereo pedal with stereo inputs and outputs, so it works in a stereo rig with two amps or a stereo effects loop. It also works in mono, using the Left/Mono input and output, and it has a tap footswitch input plus USB for firmware updates.
Where is the Fender Reflecting Pool made?
Guitar World lists its origin as the USA. The pedal is part of the wave of Fender effects released around Summer NAMM 2019, when Fender expanded its pedal range with six new models including the Reflecting Pool.
Sources (7)
- Fender Reflecting Pool Reverb/Delay, Delicious Audio, 2022-01-20
- 6 New Fender Pedals at Summer NAMM 2019, Sweetwater, 2019-07-23
- Fender Reflecting Pool Delay/Reverb review, Guitar World, 2020-07-03
- Summer NAMM 2019 Video: Fender expands effects family with six new pedals, Guitar.com, 2019-07-19
- Fender Introduces Six New Effects Pedals, Guitar World, 2019-07-25
- Summer NAMM 2019: Fender pedal range expanded with 6 new models, gearnews.com, 2019-07-18
- Review: Six new Fender effects pedals, Guitar.com, 2020-02-03
