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What is it?
Buying a pedalboard is usually a compromise between size, portability, and having enough room for adding pedals in the future. With the XPND series, D’Addario attempts to remove some of that guesswork by offering a ‘board that adapts to your current setup while also expanding as your pedal collection grows – or as you move between different projects that require different effects. After all, pedalboard design hasn’t changed dramatically in decades, and D’Addario leans into that with a telescopic system that is, notably, patented.
This pedalboard is aimed at players who regularly need to switch between setups, whether that’s switching between bands, moving from studio to stage, or simply wanting a more portable rig without committing to multiple boards.
The XPND 1 is the single-row model in the range and the most compact option available. It measures 14 inches when closed and extends to 24 inches when expanded, offering a flexible footprint without committing to a permanently large ‘board. Players with more extensive setups will naturally gravitate towards the dual-row XPND 2, but the inclusion of multiple sizes is a smart move from D’Addario and makes the system feel more considered than gimmicky.
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Balancing portability with durability is always a challenge in pedalboard design, but here D’Addario opts for ultra-durable aluminum construction. The surface is fully covered in loop Velcro on both the top and underside, so it’s ready for pedal placement straight out of the box. Also included is a cable management system that doubles as a structural support between sections, while helping keep power and patch cables neatly routed underneath the ‘board.
When D’Addario first launched its XPND pedalboard range in the early 2020s, I wasn’t entirely convinced of the need for a telescopic design. But after joining two bands with very different pedal requirements, the appeal quickly became much clearer. One setup demanded a stripped-back ‘board, the other a far more effects-heavy rig, and suddenly the idea of expanding and contracting a pedalboard to suit the gig made a lot more sense. Add in the fact that several guitarist friends had already adopted the system and were full of praise, and I was keen to finally put it to the test for Guitar World.
Specs
- Price: £79 | $64.99 | €79
- Material: Ultra-durable aluminum
- Features: Telescopic row expansion, pre-installed loop Velcro, adjustable feet for height, cable management clips
- Dimensions: 356-610 mm (extension range) x 149 x 65 mm
- Weight: 51.85oz/ 1.47kg (without pedals)
- Contact: D’Addario
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
In practice, I found this limited height a bit of an issue
Having recently moved house and discovering the XPND arrives flat-packed, I did feel a fair amount of trepidation. However, it was actually fairly straightforward to assemble. There are a few moving parts that are slightly fiddly, but it only took about 10 minutes to complete, after following the supplied instructions.
Four of the six rubber feet and side brackets are attached with countersunk hex screws, tightened with the supplied hex key. Everything lined up neatly, and there were no problems to report.
The top two rubber feet work slightly differently and are secured with a washer system that lets you adjust the pedalboard height between 35mm and 50mm. This adds a bit more angle to the unit and some additional clearance for larger power supplies, though it’s by no means generous.
In practice, I found this limited height a bit of an issue. My T-Rex Fuel Tank had absolutely no chance of fitting underneath the XPND 1. To be fair, it is chunky, so I wasn’t expecting miracles, but it’s still worth noting if you’re running a larger pedalboard power supply.
D’Addario does provide a compatibility list for power supplies that do fit underneath, which is helpful, but in my case I had to either place the unit on top of the board – which ate into pedal space and made cable routing a little messier – or leave it on the floor.
Once built, I was impressed by the heft of the thing. The aluminum feels genuinely durable as D’Addario claims, and I’m confident it’ll easily stand up to being thrown in and out of a car on the way to gigs. The telescopic mechanism is also pleasingly smooth, so adjusting the size between rehearsals and gigs takes only a few seconds, and when fully collapsed, the board tucks away very neatly.
On that note, the XPND 1 weighs 1.47kg without pedals, making it light enough to carry without much issue. One slight omission, however, is the lack of a gig bag. For a product clearly aimed at active and gigging players, that feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. D’Addario does offer a dedicated bag separately, but it’s priced at nearly the same as the XPND1 itself, making it a harder sell, in my opinion.
On the underside, there are two plastic braces on each rail that need to be flicked open when extending the board and closed again once you find your desired length. These don’t feel quite as sturdy as the rest of the construction, and I’d be slightly wary of heavy-handed use here, as they feel like the most obvious potential weak point in the design.
Usability and features
Usability and features rating: ★★★★☆
Having loop Velcro installed on both the top and underside was a win for me. Although my T-Rex Fuel Tank didn’t fit underneath, being able to mount a power supply with Velcro would have avoided the awkward attachment issues I’ve had with my Palmer Pedalboard 40, which lacks a pre-velcroed underside.
In its unexpanded state, you’re realistically looking at three, maybe four pedals at a push. I found compact, top-mounted pedals worked best here, as they allowed for tighter spacing without clashing with knobs or switches. I was initially unsure whether my Way Huge Pork Loin and Angry Troll would fit comfortably, being quite chunky and large, but thanks to their top-mounted controls, they slotted in without too much trouble next to my guitar tuner, a Boss TU-3.
I managed to squeeze four Boss pedals onto the board in its compact form – a TU-3, BD-2, RV-6 and CS-3 – but only just. That setup was only achievable thanks to my low-profile pancake patch cables. With standard cables, it would have been too tight to be practical.
In this configuration, the pedalboard remained stable, although there is a slight amount of flex
Extending the XPND1 to its full 24-inch length opened things up considerably, replicating the effects of a more effects-heavy rig. In this configuration, the pedalboard remained stable, although there is a slight amount of flex. It didn’t bother me in use, but heavier-footed players should take note.
I managed to squeeze on seven pedals, including the Boss models above, my Way Huge Pork Loin and Angry Troll, plus an MXR Carbon Copy, making for a pretty versatile rig.
Although I don’t typically play with a wah or other expression pedals, I also threw my Cry Baby wah pedal on to see how the single-row layout coped. Here, the XPND1 showed its biggest limitation. The length of the pedal caused the board to rock back and forth more than I’d have liked, making it feel a little awkward underfoot. If you regularly use a full-sized wah or expression pedal, it’s definitely something worth considering.
I also found the playing angle a little flatter than I’m used to. Personally, I prefer a more pronounced tilt, as it makes pressing the pedals feel more natural. The standing height also feels slightly elevated, meaning I had to lift my foot a bit more than expected when switching pedals. These are, of course, preferential things for me, but I thought it’d be worth mentioning.
Verdict
If flexibility is high on your priority list, the XPND1 is one of the smartest pedalboard designs I’ve used
For guitarists who regularly swap between different pedal setups, I think the XPND1 is a genuinely clever solution. With the ability to go from 14 to 24 inches, it has the flexibility to run a compact, everyday board and expand when a bigger gig or project demands more effects. As expected from D’Addario, it’s exceptionally well built, thoughtfully designed, and feels like it’ll survive years of gigging.
There are compromises, though. Under-board clearance is limited for larger power supplies, and full-sized expression pedals don’t pair particularly well with the single-row layout. Even so, if flexibility is high on your priority list, the XPND1 is one of the smartest pedalboard designs I’ve used.
Guitar World verdict: Simply put, the D’Addario XPND 1 Core pedalboard is a clever, flexible solution for gigging guitarists who need to switch between compact and expanded setups. Its telescopic design and durable aluminum construction allow you to adapt your board to almost any situation, and the pre-installed Velcro means you can get up and running quickly. That said, there is limited clearance underneath, and a single-row layout restricts which stomps will fit comfortably on it.
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Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build quality |
A genuinely robust aluminium pedalboard with an innovative telescopic design. Assembly is straightforward, although the plastic locking braces inspire slightly less confidence than the rest of the construction. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Usability and features |
The expanding design is genuinely useful, with pre-installed Velcro making setup refreshingly simple. Limited clearance for larger power supplies and expression pedals prevents it from being completely hassle-free. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Overall |
The XPND1 proves that an expanding pedalboard isn’t just a clever idea, it’s a genuinely practical solution for gigging guitarists who need flexibility without sacrificing durability |
★★★★☆ |
