The Fender Tread-Light Wah is a treadle-style wah pedal from Fender, released in November 2020 as part of the company's expanding effects pedal line-up. It runs an all-new analog wah circuit that MusicRadar describes as all-original Fender, rather than a reissue of a classic design, and it arrived alongside a companion treadle pedal, the Tread-Light Volume/Expression12.
Controls and the treadle lights
The Tread-Light Wah keeps its control set small and focused on shaping the sweep1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Three-way frequency selector | Adjustable selector for choosing the wah's frequency range1 |
| Range knob | Tunes the sweep of the wah effect1 |
| Treadle | Rocking foot pedal that sweeps the filter, in the usual wah manner1 |
The under-treadle LEDs are a distinguishing feature. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley noted that "The under-treadle LEDs can be turned on and off, but they do look neat and will surely come in handy in low-light enviro"1, so players can light the treadle for dark stages or switch the lights off entirely.
The jacks are top-mounted, which MusicRadar describes as being "for tidy routing"1. On a crowded pedalboard, top-mounted jacks let patch cables run straight up instead of out the sides, saving space between pedals.
Design and build
The pedal uses a lightweight anodized aluminum enclosure, extended to a foot-long footprint to accommodate the treadle1. That is a different approach from the heavy die-cast housings of traditional wah pedals, and it keeps the weight down for players who carry their board.
The Tread-Light Wah was released alongside the Tread-Light Volume/Expression pedal, and both were available the same month. Both pedals share the treadle-style enclosure approach and the same retail price of $99.9912.
The Tread-Light Volume/Expression pedal
The Tread-Light Wah's companion is the Tread-Light Volume/Expression pedal, a treadle unit that Fender added to its line-up at the same time. Both pedals were announced together and retail at the same price, so a player wanting a matching volume or expression pedal on the board can pair it with the wah12.
Price and availability
The two press reports on the launch differ slightly on price: Guitar World reported "Both pedals retail for $99.99, and are available this month" in November 20202, while MusicRadar reported "Both pedals retail for £79 / $99"1. The US figures differ by a cent; both date from the November 2020 release.
Videos
Dogshark Guitar Players Society
Okamoto's Gear
Cowhide Music
News
Questions
Is the Fender Tread-Light Wah analog?
Yes. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley described the Tread-Light Wah as featuring an all-new analog wah circuit from Fender. It is not a digital modeler or a reissue of an older design: the circuit is described as all-original Fender, built for the pedal's 2020 release.
How much does the Fender Tread-Light Wah cost?
The Tread-Light Wah launched in November 2020. Guitar World reported a retail price of $99.99, while MusicRadar reported $99 (listed alongside £79 in the UK). The two reports differ by a cent; both figures date from the pedal's release.
Does the Tread-Light Wah have a buffer?
Yes. The pedal includes a switchable internal buffer, according to MusicRadar. That means the buffer can be turned on or off depending on where the wah sits in a pedalboard chain and what comes before it.
Can the lights under the treadle be turned off?
Yes. The Tread-Light Wah has under-treadle LEDs that can be switched on and off. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley noted they look neat and would come in handy in low-light situations, but players who prefer an unlit pedal can leave them off.
Is the Tread-Light Wah based on an older wah circuit?
No. MusicRadar described it as an all-original Fender circuit with an all-new analog wah design, rather than a copy or reissue of a classic wah. Fender had previously offered treadle-style pedals in its Classics range, but the Tread-Light is a new design.
What is the Tread-Light Volume/Expression pedal?
It is the companion treadle pedal Fender released alongside the Tread-Light Wah in November 2020. It works as both a volume pedal and an expression pedal, and both pedals share the same treadle-style enclosure approach and retail price.
Sources (2)
- Fender's floor game takes another step forward with the Tread-Light Wah and Volume/Expression pedals, MusicRadar, 2020-11-24
- Fender releases '70s-vibed Tread-Light Wah and Volume/Expression pedals, Guitar World, 2020-11-23
