The Kingpin Germanium Clipper is a mini overdrive pedal from CopperSound that gets its character from Ukrainian germanium clipping diodes set up as a hard clipper, placed directly between the two FET stages of its circuit. CopperSound describes the result as "a rare, coveted ingredient that delivers bell-like clarity with an artful touch of harmonic richness"1. It sits in the overdrive camp, but the Volume knob carries what the maker calls a tremendous amount of gain on tap, enough to use the pedal as a dirty boost2.
As of 25 October 2026 the standard Kingpin Germanium Clipper was listed as sold out on CopperSound's site, with an email notification option for when it returns. A B Stock listing showed only 4 available units at $129.00 USD21.
What it does to your sound
CopperSound positions the Kingpin as more than a straight overdrive, calling it "the secret weapon that unleashes the soul of classic tone, right at your feet"1. The germanium diodes are the heart of it: because they are wired as a hard clipper directly between the two FET stages, they shape the core of the signal rather than trimming its edges2. The maker's own description leans on clarity and harmonic richness rather than sheer gain1.
The controls
The Kingpin keeps things deliberately small: one knob and one toggle.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Carries a tremendous amount of gain on tap, allowing use as a dirty boost2 |
| CLIP toggle | Gives access to more aggressive levels of the same germanium clipping, ranging from subtle to saturated2 |
CopperSound sums up the pair this way: "the CLIP toggle and Volume knob put a universe of gain at your command"1. In practice that spans what the maker describes as subtle edge-of-breakup through to full-throttle garage rock aggression1. There is no tone control, so the pedal shapes gain and level only and leaves EQ to your amp or other pedals.
Power and connections
The Kingpin runs from 9V to 18V DC through a 2.1 x 5.5mm center negative connector, drawing 10mA at either voltage21. CopperSound notes that higher voltage unlocks even greater headroom and dynamic range1, so players with an 18V output on their supply can hear the circuit open up without changing the current budget. At 10mA it is a light load on any boost or overdrive power supply.
Where it sits in CopperSound's range
The Kingpin is the compact germanium-clipped option in a lineup that also includes the two-stage FET Coppersound Kingpin Overdrive, the CopperSound Strategy two-channel preamp and overdrive, and the Coppersound Foxcatcher overdrive, later revised as the CopperSound FoxCatcher V2 Compact Edition. Players comparing it with a softer-clipping drive such as the Tube Screamer covered in Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer will find the Kingpin's germanium hard clipping a different approach: fewer controls, and clipping placed at the center of the circuit rather than in a feedback loop2.
Videos
CopperSound Pedals
Happy Mag
Ed "The Shred" Clarke
Questions
Is the CopperSound Kingpin Germanium Clipper true bypass?
Yes. CopperSound specifies Mechanical True Bypass Switching for the Kingpin Germanium Clipper, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes straight through without any electronic buffering in the way. That matters on a large board where many pedals in a row can dull the top end, and it means the pedal only touches your signal when it is switched on.
Does running the Kingpin at 18V change the sound?
CopperSound says it does. The pedal accepts 9V to 18V, and the maker describes greater headroom and dynamic range at higher voltage: experience the incredible dynamic range as higher voltage unlocks even greater headroom. Current draw stays at 10mA either way, so an 18V supply that can deliver 10mA or more is enough. At 9V it behaves like a standard pedal.
What diodes does the Kingpin Germanium Clipper use?
The Kingpin uses Ukrainian germanium clipping diodes, set up as a hard clipper and placed directly between the two FET stages of the circuit. Germanium diodes clip at a lower level than silicon, which is a big part of the pedal's character, and the CLIP toggle gives access to more aggressive levels of the same germanium clipping.
Is the CopperSound Kingpin Germanium Clipper discontinued?
CopperSound has not announced a discontinuation, but as of 25 October 2026 the pedal was listed as sold out on the maker's site, with a B Stock page showing only 4 available units at $129.00. CopperSound invites customers to enter an email to be notified when the item comes back in stock, which suggests it may return.
Sources (2)
- Kingpin Germanium Clipper, CopperSound Pedals
- Mini Germanium Overdrive, CopperSound Pedals
