The Fender Tread-Light Expression Pedal is a treadle-style expression pedal: a rocking foot pedal that sends a control signal to another effect, sweeping a parameter such as delay time, reverb level or a wah filter as you move the treadle. It is part of Fender's Tread-Light family of treadle pedals, which also includes the Tread-Light Volume/Expression, and it arrived in November 2020 alongside that pedal1.
Controls and connections
The pedal keeps its control set deliberately small. A treadle torque adjuster changes the tension of the rocking action, and an LED on/off switch governs the light. Around the back you get an input, an output and an EXP out, the last of which is the connection that carries the expression signal to another pedal2. The jacks are top-mounted, which Fender's press coverage described as making pedalboard integration easier1.
"The adjustable treadle torque means you can customize the feel of the pedal for a heavier or lighter touch."
Feel and build
The Tread-Light pedals are built on a lightweight anodized aluminum enclosure extended to about a foot long to accommodate the treadle, and the expression version uses a rubber treadle grip rather than the wooden grip of the Tread-Light Wah3. Guitar World's reviewer found the action held up in use:
Guitar World's Matt praised the pedal's feel underfoot, describing "a very smooth action and feels very high quality when you step on it"2.
MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, writing about the Tread-Light pair, suggested the treadle design suited players chasing pedal steel country bends, a smooth sweeping motion familiar from steel guitar3. Guitar World also framed the family as ideal for players who use volume pedals to sweep in chords in the manner of Allan Holdsworth, and for musicians looking for an expression pedal to control other effects pedals and keyboards1.
Power: 9V for the LED only
Although the pedal has a 9V power input, it does not require power to operate, being a passive pedal. The power socket is there for the onboard LED, which lights purple and is switchable23. In practice that means the Tread-Light Expression can sit on a board with no power connection at all; if you do plug it in, it is only to run the light.
Because the pedal is passive, the 9V input feeds only the LED. It will work unpowered, and the LED can be switched off if you would rather leave the power supply out of the picture23.
Price and availability
The Tread-Light Volume/Expression pair was announced as retailing for $99.99 and available in November 20201; MusicRadar gave the UK and US figures as £79 / $993. Guitar World's later buying guide lists the expression pedal's launch price as $105 / £802.
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Questions
Does the Fender Tread-Light Expression Pedal need power?
No. Guitar World notes that although the pedal has a 9V power input, it does not require power to operate, because it is a passive pedal. The power socket exists to feed the onboard LED, which is switchable, so you can run the pedal with no power supply at all if you do not want the light.
Can I turn off the lights on the Fender Tread-Light pedal?
Yes. The Tread-Light pedals carry switchable purple LEDs that show whether the pedal is on or not, and an LED on/off is listed among the pedal's controls. If the light bothers you on a dark stage or you simply do not want it, you can switch it off.
Can I change how heavy the Tread-Light treadle feels?
Yes. The pedal has a treadle torque adjuster, and Guitar World's reviewer wrote that the adjustable treadle torque means you can customize the feel of the pedal for a heavier or lighter touch. The same review found the action very smooth and high quality underfoot.
How much did the Fender Tread-Light Expression Pedal cost at launch?
Guitar World's buying guide lists a launch price of $105 in the United States and £80 in the UK. When the Tread-Light pedals were first announced in November 2020, Guitar World reported both retailing for $99.99, and MusicRadar gave the pair as £79 / $99.
Sources (3)
- Fender releases '70s-vibed Tread-Light Wah and Volume/Expression pedals, Guitar World, 2020-11-23
- Best expression pedals: get creative with our top choices, Guitar World, 2022-03-30
- Fender's floor game takes another step forward with the Tread-Light Wah and Volume/Expression pedals, MusicRadar, 2020-11-24
