Valve Factory 1 Amp Kit
The only 1-watt amplifier that will absolutely blow you away.
No, not with volume. What makes the VF1 special is that it's a real, honest-to-goodness tube amplifier with the dynamic response, harmonic complexity, and presence you'd expect from much larger rigs—just scaled down to a level that makes sense for learning, practicing, and recording, where nuance matters more than loudness and feel matters more than wattage.
Let's be honest: most 1-watt amps are compromises. We've all experienced them—cheap parts, limited tone shaping, gimmicky features—built to hit a price point rather than to be great amplifiers.
The VF1 isn't that.
This is a true tube amp, built with the same philosophy as its big brother, the VF18. The Valve Factory series puts the player firmly in control of their tone in a way few amps can. By simply swapping the preamp tube, you can dramatically change the amplifier's personality, moving from smooth, articulate cleans to gritty, expressive drive in moments.
Build an amp you'll treasure for life.
Like all StewMac amp kits, the VF1 is designed to demystify how tube amplifiers actually work. Our Lego-like, step-by-step instructions walk you through the entire build clearly and safely, whether you've been soldering for years or you're tackling your first serious electronics project. You won't just end up with a great-sounding amp—you'll understand why it sounds the way it does.
And the VF1 has another important feature that will appeal to brand new amp builders. Traditional tube amps contain dangerous (even lethal) voltages that demand serious experience and caution. The VF1 removes that barrier.
This amp is designed without traditional high-voltage circuitry, making it a safe, confidence-building entry point into tube amp construction. If you've built one of our more involved pedals, you already have the skills needed to take this on.
It's a real amplifier just without the fear factor that keeps so many people on the sidelines, and there's nothing quite like the pride of plugging into an amp you built with your own hands.
Vintage soul. Modern flexibility. Studio magic.
At one watt, the VF1 lives where most guitarists actually play.
It delivers the rich harmonic complexity, dynamic response, and natural compression you expect from a tube amp, but at bedroom-friendly volume levels. Clean tones bloom and respond to your touch. Push it harder and it moves into expressive saturation and overdrive without overwhelming the room.
Powered by a 9V supply, the VF1 is compact, portable, and easy to integrate into a home or studio setup. Plug it into your favorite cabinet and explore what a real tube amp can do without waking the neighbors.
This Amp Features:
- 1-watt, hand-wired tube amplifier
- 4Ω / 8Ω speaker output
- Swappable preamp tube for easy tonal experimentation
- Includes premium power tube and preamp tube
- Less than 1 sq. ft. footprint (4.5" W × 4.5" D × 6" H)
- Powered by a standard 9V supply
Premium components. No shortcuts.
Every component inside the VF1 is high-quality, reliable, and chosen for tone, from the transformer to the vintage pushback cloth insulated wire, to the premium branded tubes and everything in between. We don't cut corners on sound, durability, or design. You're building a real amp, not a toy.
Why players love building the VF1
- It's accessible. Designed for beginners and veterans alike.
- It's educational. Understand how an amp really works.
- It's customizable. No other amp this size lets you shape the tone so dramatically.
- It's inspiring. Few things feel better than plugging into an amp you built yourself.
- It sounds unbelievable. Warm, dynamic, and dripping with tube character.
As one StewMac builder put it:
" I can't believe how much tone comes out of such a tiny amp—and I built it myself.."
And if you get stuck, we're here to help.
If you get stuck don't worry, we have trained amp tech's on staff who can answer your questions and get you back on track to finishing your amp build. Our amp team is standing by, Contact Us.
