Based on the unique, Swedish 1970s Carlin CompressorThe Fisklda is a combined compression and distortion pedal, which stands out by its ability to sustain the decay without squeezing your attack completely.

The original Carlin Compressor is famously used by guitarist Reine Fiske from Swedish band Dungen, and the Fisklda is made in tribute to him. Hence the name. I originally made two Fiskldas as a custom order back in 2013, as a gift to Reine Fiske from an American music journalist (who also wanted one for himself). The artwork is inspired by a can of Swedish Msens brand surstrmming (foul smelling fermented herring), and Fisklda means Fish Box in Swedish.

The Carlin Compressor is a very unique and unusual electronic design, and I liked the custom order Fisklda pedals so much, I always wanted to revisit it.

The Fisklda is a quirky pedal, and you’ll instantly notice that it is not like compressors as you know them. It definitely has it’s idiosyncrasies and it takes some effort to master, and then there’s a good chance it’ll grows on you.

In principle you can use it as a compressor/sustainer without the distortion effect, and as a distortion without the compression/sustain, but it is the combined effect that gives the best and most interesting results. The Fisklda is not necessarily useful a replacement for you existing mainstream compressor. It is too much it’s own thing for that.

At low distortion levels, you can get some really unique swelling distortion effects, where the distortion comes on with the compression and sustain.

The first edition of the Fisklda was released in 2020 as a limited edition of 40 pedals – which sold out quickly.

The new one, coming in August 2023, has gotten an electronic overhaul, courtesey of my brilliant Danish electronics engineering partner, fixing some inherent weaknesses of the original Carlin circuit design, while retaining the exact same sound and response.

For the tech nerds, the improvements are that we added local decoupling for each amplifier stage, high frequency stabilisation in the high-gain part, some emitter degeneration in the rectifier stages – plus an output buffer (still non-buffered mechanical true bypass). All this makes for a more stable pedal – without compromising the vintage sound qualities the slightest. If anything, it sounds even better than the first version.

Fisklda features and specifications

• Based on the 1970s Carlin Compressor from Sweden with Reuss engineered improvements to the original circuit design, for a more stable and modern pedal. Still featuring the exact vintage sound qualities of the original 1970s pedal
• Extremely high build quality. Completely handmade in the European Union
• Powder coated enclosure in metallic baby blue with real silk screen printed graphics in three colors (very expensive and labour intensive process)
• Runs on a standard Boss-style 9V DC negative centre guitar pedal power supply or a 9V battery
• Advanced Reuss designed power supply noise filtering makes the vintage circuit accept almost any cheap and noisy modern ‘switch mode’ power supply.
• High quality Neutrik brand jacks
• High quality Alpha brand footswitch (good for at least 30000 stomps)
• 24 months warranty against manufacturing faults
• Packed in a cardboard box and linen draw-string bag