bjfbjfThe BJFE Pine Green Compressor (PGC) was first released on December 4, 2002 as a wideband, low-distortion, natural-sounding compression pedal. Björn Juhl originally developed the PGC while trying to recreate the compressed guitar sounds heard on many recordings by The Beatles. Many Beatles recordings used the famous RS-124 compressor at Abbey Road Studios, an EMI modification of the Altec 436B. Wanting that musical compression in a guitar pedal format, Björn created a compressor for himself that could capture that character while still feeling natural under the fingers. The earliest version of the pedal was called the Pale Green Compressor, finished in green nitrocellulose lacquer. Later the design evolved and became known as the Pine Green Compressor, with expanded tonal controls that allow more precise shaping of both low and high frequencies. The PGC works beautifully with electric guitars, acoustic-electric guitars, and guitar amplifiers running from clean to lightly overdriven settings. By limiting the attack and extending sustain, it evens out the signal while preserving the character of the instrument. Many players say that the best compressor is the one you barely notice while it is on—but immediately miss when it is turned off. The Pine Green Compressor follows that philosophy. It can add subtle polish and sustain, or it can be pushed further for a clearly audible compressed attack and long singing sustain. Unlike many compressors that rely on heavy filtering to control noise, the PGC keeps filtering to a minimum to preserve the guitar’s natural treble and harmonic content. Instead, it relies on carefully selected components and BJFE’s unique circuit design to maintain clarity and low noise. Key Design Features Fast attack and slow release for natural guitar compression Wide compression range from subtle peak limiting to strong sustain No treble loss – preserves the guitar’s natural tone Low distortion and musical response even at strong compression Can function as a clean boost at lower compression settings Built-in battery monitor (LED dims at low voltage) Low current consumption for long battery life Original BJFE circuitry Controls COMP – Controls the compression strength and sustain. VOL – Sets the overall output level. BASS – Adjusts the low-frequency response and allows the compression to be tailored to different guitars and amplifiers. TREBLE – Shapes the high-frequency response, allowing you to maintain clarity or smooth the top end depending on your setup. Specifications Input impedance: approx. 470KΩ Max load: approx. 10KΩ Max output: 1V RMS Max gain at 1kHz: approx. 40dB Upper frequency (-3dB): approx. 20kHz Max input signal: approx. 1.2V peak Current consumption: approx. 4.5mA (3.5mA when bypassed) Voltage range: 7–12V Power 9V battery (6F22) Standard 2.1mm center-negative DC 9V adapter If the supply voltage drops below approximately 7V, the tone may become muffled and the LED will dim. Replace the battery or check the connected power supply if this occurs. The Pine Green Compressor remains one of BJFE’s most respected designs—a transparent compressor that enhances sustain and dynamics while preserving the true voice of the guitar.
