CopperSound Cir-Kit Breadboard Bundle Single Transistor Overdrive

A minimalist overdrive inspired by a classic: the "Electra Distortion" spirit

The "Single Transistor Overdrive" is one of the most famous educational circuits in DIY: a deliberately simple architecture centered on a single transistor, highlighting the essentials of guitar saturation behavior (output level, filtering, clipping). In the world of clones and variants, it is often compared to the Electra Distortion : a type of overdrive that goes straight to the point, with an organic feel and a very "pick attack" response.

Within the Coppersound range, this Cir-Kit is positioned as an ideal entry point: simple enough to succeed quickly, yet rich enough to learn (and have fun) as soon as you start changing a diode, a capacitor value, or the tone voicing.

For whom, for which styles, and in which situations?

This bundle is aimed at curious guitarists, beginners in musical electronics, as well as tinkerers who want to prototype quickly before moving on to PCB, stripboard, or perfboard. The breadboard removes a major barrier to entry: you understand the schematic by physically "seeing" it, and you can fix a mistake without desoldering everything.

Musically, it's a perfect base for blues, rock, indie, garage, and all situations where you're looking for a simple, punchy, and dynamic saturation: edge of breakup, tight crunch, small lead that stands out in the mix. In the studio, it's a powerful tool for experimenting with textures; in rehearsals, it's a very concrete way to understand why "a certain setting works" with a given guitar or amp.

Note: even though the goal is enjoyment and discovery, this remains DIY. Get into the habit of testing your components and progressing step by step: it's the best way to learn quickly and avoid chasing invisible faults.

Features and philosophy of this Cir-Kit: learning by playing

The principle of the Cir-Kit Breadboard Bundle is to guide you through assembling a complete circuit on the supplied breadboard, with a progressive approach. You first build a functional overdrive, then you can enter the real playground: modifying. Change a filter value to tighten the bass, adjust the tone to gain presence, explore different clipping options... the breadboard is made for that.

The Coppersound platform is designed for immediate guitar use: the breadboard is integrated into a practical ecosystem with audio connectors, power input, bypass switch, and status LED. Result: you spend less time "setting up" and more time listening, comparing, and understanding.

The sound

Expect a clear and lively saturation, with that "simple circuit" feel that respects the attack and reacts strongly to guitar volume. The "Single Transistor Overdrive" can range from a slight grit that thickens the sound to a more pronounced crunch, with a texture often described as raw but musical : perfect for adding character to an amp already near breakup.

This type of overdrive is also an excellent playground to sculpt your own signature: a value change can transform the feel under your fingers (more compression, more openness, more bite), making it an ideal kit if you're looking for less of a "fixed pedal" and more of an evolving sound.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion, Overdrive	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
EQ	Tone	Color	Grey

Circuit	Single Transistor Overdrive (comparable to an Electra Distortion style)	Polarity	center negative
Assembly	on breadboard (prototyping, experimentation, and learning)	Available current (provided power supply)	1000 mA
Included breadboard	Small format	Power supply mains input	100 to 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
Number of points (Small)	830 points (mono)	Power supply plug size	2.15mm x 5.5mm (accepts 2.1mm and 2.5mm pins)
Integrated elements	audio jacks, power jack, bypass switch, status LED	Power supply cable length	0.91 m
Required power supply	9V DC