StewMac Factory 1 Amp Kit — Can any Guitar Nerd Actually Build This?

The StewMac Valve Factory 1 isn’t just any ol’ low-watt tube amp— it’s one that you build using StewMacs really elaborate set of instructions and their carefully labeled parts! While building is part of the fun (at least for me) the real reward is when you do it correctly and it actually works! But does that experience translate into a great sounding guitar amp, or is it simply a fun electronics project? In this video, I take a closer look at the StewMac Valve Factory 1, exploring what makes this DIY tube amp kit so appealing to guitar players, builders, and tone enthusiasts alike. We’ll walk through the finished amplifier, discuss its features and hear how it actually sounds in a variety of playing situations. If you’ve ever wondered whether a DIY amp kit is worth your time—or if the Valve Factory 1 can deliver authentic tube amp character—this video should help answer those questions. If you enjoy honest guitar gear reviews, amplifier demos, pedal discussions, and all things electric guitar, consider subscribing for more videos every week. ---- Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:50 Price & value 1:37 Perfect for apartments 2:21 Safety & power supply 4:06 What's in the kit 5:00 Tools you'll need 6:40 Speaker & cabinet setup 8:05 Tubes & sound demo 12:20 Final verdict 14:31 Build tips & patience ----- LINKS: StewMac Valve Factory 1 kit - https://www.stewmac.com/kits-and-proj... Orange 8" Speaker Cab - https://amzn.to/4eLdUTr Solder Station - https://amzn.to/44IcN0L Astro Multimeter - https://amzn.to/3SF06RO ---- My signal chain FOR THIS VIDEO only: Guitar - 1983 Gibson Futura For Clean Tones: Guitar - JHS NotaDumble V1 Clean Channel- StewMac Valve Factory 1 - Orange PPC-108 Speaker - Sennheiser e906 - Studio One For Clean Tones: Guitar - JHS NotaDumble V1 Dirty Channel - StewMac Valve Factory 1 - Orange PPC-108 Speaker - Sennheiser e906 - Studio One For Songs: Guitar - JHS NotaDumble V1 - Ibanez Layer Delayer - GameChanger Audio Light Pedal - StewMac Valve Factory 1 - Orange PPC-108 Speaker - Sennheiser e906 - Studio One ----- Company Grip Guitar is in part funded by purchases using the affiliate links(at no additional cost to you!) as well as by the generous Patreon community. If you’d like to check it out and consider joining for just a couple bucks a month, you can help keep this ship a-moving!   / companygripguitar   EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO: FOR VIDEO: Sony FX30 Cinema Camera https://amzn.to/3YSwGjJ Sony ZV-E10 II Camera https://amzn.to/4qLK04S FOR RECORDING VOICE: DJI Mic 2 receiver/transmitter set https://amzn.to/4a2VeuI Zoom F2 Field Mic https://amzn.to/3wzN90P Rode RodeLink Lav Microphone https://amzn.to/3KhZN89 FOR RECORDING GUITAR: Focusrite Scarlett Solo https://amzn.to/3AYrbXf FOR MEASURING SPECS: Protektor Bunny Ear Leather Neck Rest https://amzn.to/3xV6dax Guitar Cork Neck Rest https://amzn.to/3UB5W3J Dunlop Fretboard Oil https://amzn.to/49V7eQ4 Music Nomad String Cutter https://amzn.to/4ae4ZnP Ernie Ball Guitar Mat https://amzn.to/3WDuAng Music Nomad Fretboard F-One Conditioner https://amzn.to/3WGs0g3 Guitar Scale https://amzn.to/3UKDAEy Suction Cup Plate Remover https://amzn.to/3wmGVl1 Crenova Multimeter https://amzn.to/3UWTgpx Klein Magnetic Angle Finder https://amzn.to/3WCuU5v