I own the Spark still, but used to own the Katana. Katana is a very good amp and I'd suggest it for anyone on a budget that can only own 1 amp and wants to gig with it. If you want a variety of tones it can't be beat. I also own the Fender Champion 50xl and if you like the Fender sound (they try to model other brands too) and want something simple I think it's really good. Now the reason I kept the spark...It's a great practice amp because you can leave it just about anywhere and it blends in well. Nobody would think it's anything but a nice Bluetooth player if you don't tell them. It's also plenty loud enough for home practice. I've had it cranked not even close to full volume and it rattled the windows. It's not a toy. If you want to, you can absolutely make your neighbors angry hah IMO, if I were starting from scratch I'd get the Spark and once I knew what kind of music I wanted to play, what brand I liked, I'd get a tube amp. Unless you are getting the spark does everything you need for home playing. If you're playing solid state it's the only amp you need for most people, at least to start. The only real negative is that it doesn't have an effects loop. That doesn't bother me one bit and I think most beginners shouldn't even worry about what that is for a while. But there are some people that will complain that they can't use their pedals because there is not an effects loop--which most practice amps don't have anyways. To me the beauty of the spark is it has a lot of tones, but it's still pretty easy to lock in on ones you like and leave it at that.
Hi Roger & Midlife Guitar - Couple of questions. I'm looking for a practice amp, and the Spark looks good for that. Most of my practicing would be done with headphones and I'm wondering if 1) the Spark has stereo effects (delay, reverb, chorus) and 2) if there are stereo effects, are they stereo when using the headphones. I do own a Katana, which works fine, but doesn't do either of those things. I used to have one of the Mustang III amps, and the stereo sounds were glorious (I miss that)! Thanks to both of you for the comments and the review!
@@anotherheadlessdemo I haven't looked at the manual or anything, but it sounds stereo in this vid. It also has two 4" speakers. I would guess it has stereo delays, but idk about the other fx. You can also check out the new fender mustang amp. More expensive than katana and spark, but comes with a footswitch and has a diff sound judging from the yt vids I've heard.
I"ve got a Spark and a Katana MKII Studio and for just practicing the Spark is much easier to get any tone into. It's so much more work with the Katana due to needing a computer to swap out presets. Sure I have more switchable slots for sounds in the Katana but in a few sec I can search and DL a new tone to the Spark. However I bought the Katana as a future gigging amp that really excels combined with the optional Boss floorboard to switch sounds or swap FX categories on and off. Plus the Katana's power amp input works great for sending in a different modeler (such as Line 6 Helix Stomp) straight to a super-clean, high volume channel. Both Spark and Katana can get some similar sounds but I see their roles differently.
I own the Katana MK 100 and the Spark and after the honeymoon phase with the spark, I find myself using the Katana more again. I love the simplicity of it and not having to deal with an app to get the sounds I want.
I bought the Spark 40 but it malfunctioned right out of the box while updating the firmware. Seems like they would do that at the factory. I'm not happy with it so I'm sending it back and buying a Katana, Orange Crush 35RT, or the UGLY Yamaha Thr5. I don't need 7,200 tones (that's 7,150 hair-splitting tones) and I don't want to have to use an app.
I to had a none functional amplifier spark out of the box never worked as a guitar amplifier.i had a false fix and ran past 30day return time now they are refused to refund my money
@@silverbushman You'd think with all the competition out there, including companies with such rich pedigrees as Boss, you'd think Positive Grid would want to help out thier new customers. I'll stick with my Boss.
I'm 45 and I've been playing for fun for a long time but mostly acoustic. When decided to go electric I went to a couple of modeling amps and settle with the Katana because I can use it without an app. Just plug and play and get great tones. My previous experience with modeling amps and downloading apps and sounds was a little bit overwhelming. I guess both are great amps but I love the simplicity of the Katana.
@@adelaidedrummer I don't the the crunch tones are too bad and it has some cool features but they should've just spent some time on the cleans. It's just not up to par with the other stuff thats out there. The bugera v5 costs about the same and is way better on the clean tones. I just use mine as a Bluetooth speaker now for the most part, but I'm working on trying to dial something in.
I have both and have been playing guitar for about 30yrs. Had the katana first and love it but to get certain tones take time. The spark changed everything. Just push a few buttons on your phone or tablet and dial in every tone you ever wanted! The spark is amazing!!
I have both. I prefer the tones from the Katana, but like the "practice" and ease-of-use features of the Spark. If I were to have just just one: Katana.
Waiting for the spark. Play for my own enjoyment and non judgemental friends and family. Having access to different amp tones and some pedal sounds should make playing more fun.
I heard so much hype about the spark however being a vintage valve type of guy I ignored it for ages, I mean how could a solid modelling amp touch a Marshall 62 blues breaker or even an orange tiny terror etc... but they did such a good marketing campaign ... well... I bought one just to see what all the fuss was about. it cost me about £260 inc a free bag (be aware the price shown online is before tax)... I've had mine about 2 weeks now and im blown away with how good it is.. it does have a trillion shite settings online etc.. its no way any good for a show even if its a small gig.. no line out apart from headphones.. works great with headphones but you can't put it through a cab etc... but for what it is.. a small practise amp with loads of sounds and a few extra fun things play with...its great.. no its brilliant ... I was so doubtful and thought if nothing else its an audio interface for getting ideas down with a DAW... trust me for the price you won't regret buying one (takes 3 weeks to arrive though.. not good) and if for some reason you do sell it on eBay as I've seen them going for £300 with no bag (cool bag as well would cost £40 separately)... don't get me wrong if your after an amazing tone this is great but it scant compete with a real valve amp with kt66's at full volume but it will give you a very close alternative without taking the roof off your wigwam... id give it 95 out of 100 for sounds and fun but 99% for what it basically is... a small lunchbox amp with great sounds and loads of other fun stuff... I should be getting paid by the amp makers for such a nice review I think but I doubt they really need my help to sell them.. peace, wils
If you put the Spark through a Electro Harmonic 44 via the headphone jack you can put in through any guitar speaker cab. The EH 44 has an output of 44 watts so going through say a Marshall 2x12 cab or 4x12 cab the setup would be plenty enough for gigging.
I love where the guitar industry is at as far as amps and modeling software. No more hauling heavy , expensive equiptment anymore. I can literally bring a Hss strat, my ipad, a cheap interface and some cables and get whatever sound I want at the tap of a finget
Spark is also buggy and can’t be depended on. Katana has been out for like five years and is on v2, and is a stable platform. Spark is more for beginners, not adult musicians IMO. It is a cool gadget though, and I love the BiasFX engine-the Spark platform is just not up to snuff.
If my wife would have said get the spark, I would have gotten the Katana.....probably why I haven’t got a wife.....or a spark or a Katana I’m thinking about getting the Katana though 👌🏼
Katana mkII 100 and I would never buy anything again. Amplifier for home, study, rehearsal room and stage. In addition, a constantly updated editing program that expands the functionality of the amplifier and also gives you the opportunity to learn the basics of effects and plugin management.
Another mid life beginner here (2 years now !) for anyone reading this please please just start with an amp like the katana or spark . I spent way too much on a tube amp and pedal board before finally realizing all I needed was a damn Katana. The katana is amazing.
Great to hear you are similar in experience to me. I have yet to go down the tube amp path and explore it but from my experience keeping it simple when learning is key. There is plenty of time down the road to explore tones.
@@MidlifeGuitar Wife would hate it, but can always try something like the blues jr or monoprice/harley benton amp (has other brand names too idk offhand). They're a diff beast, and I feel like a tube amp snob. I knew you didn't use traditional tube amps when you were talking about the bass on the spark and katana as something like a fender tube amp is super mid rangey. Btw I have a spark and katana. Both are great!
@@MidlifeGuitar a great alternative to the tube path is a roland blues cube I own a few valve amps plus modellers yhe blues cube is very organic feeling. Gigged it a fair bit brilliant
I use the Katana at home on the .5 watt setting, volumes just under half, and I am very happy with the sounds I get, clean and crunch. To get the same crunch/rock to metal type of sound on my tube amp requires many pedals and more volume. I love'em both, but I like the Katana at home.
The .5 setting is already mad loud. As an absolute beginner I thought it would be a very low volume when i bought the amp. In reality, I have not even used the 25 or 50w setting, except for a bit of fiddling to see how loud it goes and even then I didnt dare to crank it up. I live in an apartment so this .5w setting is ideal for me.
Just my opinion and experience: I can appreciate what everyone's experience has been with these amps. As a gigging musician for years, I have some amazing amps and pedals that I use out. But when I'm at home, I don't necessarily want to set all of that up to practice. I played the Katana in the store and wasn't that impressed with it. The Spark on the other hand has inspired me to practice more. Alot of folks are complaining of the "grounding" noise while not playing, which you would and do get using the real rig setup. The Spark app allows you to tweak and configure whatever amp and pedal combo you might want, which includes (as i did with my gigging rig) adding a noise gate pedal on my Spark pedalboard, which took care of the "grounding" noise. The Spark lets you try out some very good simulations of high end amps and pedals for electric, bass, and acoustic guitar (which can all be individually knob tweaked to your taste) at a great price, you are able to practice with tons of prerecorded jam tracks as well as search your favorite songs and figure out that lead lick that's been driving you nuts by looping that section of the song and/or slowing it by .5x and gradually increasing the speed until you are able to play along at full speed, AND you can do it all without waking your family or having the neighbors call the cops on you! The Katana seems great for someone wanting to play around with a few different tones and have a small venue/back up amp, but the Spark checks all of the boxes for a great practice amp that actually inspires you to play and improve as a guitarist.
Thanks for the input, I’ve been curious about how people are handling the ground issue on the spark and if the noise gate worked, your comment gave me clarity.
I really appreciate this feedback on your experience with the Spark. I'm a beginner and want something that will not only get a lot of different sounds, but also encourage me to play and learn. Spark sounds like the ticket. 👍👍👍
Thank you for the informative demo I just pulled the trigger on the Spark amp. I've been playing for over 35 years and think it's a great tool to learn songs and write. I subscribed!
Pick up a Line 6 real cheap and skip this nonsense. In a couple years these amps will sell for $75 and there will be thousands of them available. Maybe they sound like shit because the speakers they are using suck? I purchased a used Line 6 Spider 3 for $50. It sounds better than or equal to those amps. GK built a small amp with two 8" speakers that sounded fantastic in the 80s, but I think it was at least $400 at the time. One of those amps used would be a way better option I think than this consumer level junk.
Hey Eric. I ordered the spark and got it in 5 days. I love the amp. Great for practice and playing with backing tracks. Have not done any recording. But looks straight forward
Cant use a looper with the Spark. Biggest oversight for practicing at home, I like to lay down my own cords and improv over them, you can’t do it on a Spark, that’s a deal breaker for me. Positivegrid don’t mention this, what else can’t it do?
The Spark is cool, but the sound of the Katana is a lot better to me. I own one and I love it. Lots of value for just over $200 US. BTW I’m 67 and took up guitar last winter and I am really enjoying it. It’s a lot different than the drums I have been playing for 50 years lol. Wish I had started years ago! Nice review.
Thanks, I agree it has a slightly better sound overall but it is just the ease of use of the Spark that wins it overall for me. Great to hear you picking up the guitar, your timing is probably excellent having played the drums. I am really working on it at the moment using a metronome.
My Spark 40 has been cutting out intermittently.- either with the guitar or computer USB connection. Each dead period lasts for a minute or 2. Firmware update did not resolve the issue. So right now its useful only to hold the door open or as step to reach high places. I'm waiting to hear from PG.
I tried both and ended up going with the Spark, mainly because its more portable and functions as an acceptable bass amp. I actually think the Katana sounds better, and would probably recommend it over the spark if it was going to be your only amp, but you can't beat the spark as a portable practice solution.
@@MidlifeGuitar But in no way is that a total put-down from my side, I'm still debating on buying the Spark due to its simple and intuitive interface that doesn't require me to turn on my PC every time I want to tweak my tone. Great video, by the way!
@@Bald_Toguro try the Katana Librarian app if you have an Android device with a full size USB or an OTG adapter. I use it on an old LG G Pad X2, it came with this magnetic battery pack that included built in speakers, kickstand, and a full sized USB port. It sits right on top of the amp while plugged in and I can change the saved presets on the fly, adjust all the effects, or even use it as a touchscreen version of the GA-FC foot switch. I have the 100w version though, I don't know if that feature works on the 50w. The free version of the app is awesome but the paid version was worth $8.
Thanks for a nice review and comparison. The Spark needs a few things before I further consider it.... 1) battery power, 2) stereo speaker out, & 3) additional XLR input for mic or recording.
Thanks for the vid.. I need a new practice amp and have been tossing these two amps around. Your vid was great but even better was the comments People wrote which really helped a lot. Thanks again for the great video, much appreciated.
Really enjoyed listening to your commentary. English isn't my first language but its really easy to follow and understand the way you speak. I might just learn and use your technique for work presentations! But also your playing has clearly progressed. I can see that you're holding the Justinguitar A major chord! Nice one man. Thinking about getting the spark amp.... mmmm maybe during Christmas time to see if there's any discount on offer... Thanks again for a really good video! Enjoyed that!
Glad you enjoyed it! Never thought I would help someone with their work presentation by doing this 😂 but that is awesome! It's a great amp so if you go ahead I would love to know what you think 👍
Call me a luddite but after the initial excitement of exploring modelling amps I've found myself more often returning to my Vox Pathfinder 15 and Pignose! They're two great sounding amps that I can just plug into and play without having to think about options, options, options!
We’re in a golden age with all the awesome gear available nowadays for not a lot of money. I’ve been playing for 20+ years when I was a kid and back then everything was crazy expensive and sounded bad unless you had a really good tube amp. Same with guitars. Now after years of having GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) and collecting nice pieces of gear I find myself using a Katana to practice for it’s simplicity of use. Take advantage kids.
I have enjoyed my Katana 50 for over 2 years now and have to say it has been my favorite amp since I sold my Peavey Speciqal 130 back in the late 80's. My only regret is I wish I had the foresight to have purchased the 100 watt Katana because of the pedal loop feature which the 50 does not have.
I have a spark and love the thing. I tried the katana and loved that too but the spark to me was just the better amp. Also buddy the Hendrix tone you pulled in with the spark was not one of the better ones. But hey man thanks for the great video.
Owned both. Both are great. I kept the spark though and sold the Katana. Only reason being the Spark is smaller and looks better in a living room setting which is what I wanted it for. The Katana is a more versatile amp you could use to gig. However I already have that and it wasn’t what I was looking for.
What a great post. Great info for any beginner but especially for us older beginners who think that part of the phone is being able to emulate the tone of the song you're trying to learn. Thanks to all those who gave their opinions on the Katana. That's the next amp I think I will get. But after a few days I've changed my mind! Ordered the Spark after all.
Thanks! I’ve had both as well and I’m really enjoying the spark. I’m also in the same boat as you - started playing guitar just over 2 years ago at 40 years old and I’ve jumped all in. Tons of fun.
Agree, the Spark is so much fun that the Boss isn't getting much attention at the moment 😂 Sounds like you and I have a similar story with guitar, it is addictive once you get in to it!
Im 55 and just started in April 2020 made sure something good to come out of COVID memory’s. I’m obsessed with playing and determined to get at decent. About 400 hours in since April. I’m sure there’s many of us out there. May all of you have a great journey. My heart thinks bigger is better , but if I want in living room and make my wife happy it would be the spark.
With the Spark - I had humming on all channels it drove me crazy. I reached out to their customer service and they sent me a new plug. This has fixed it. If you are having the same issue, I encourage you to do the same.
just get a cable that converts the 3.5 mm out to a 1/4"? I use mine with 2 2x12 cabs. The cabs are being powered by my stereo reciever which has a rca connection to a 3.5 mm jack which goes to my spark.
@@allenshaw2022 It's a great practice amp with loads of teaching tools, but the lack of fx loop, line out and footswitch plus the actual size of the speakers tell you that this was designed for home use only. And it's not a real 40 watts, I have 40 watt valve amps and this is not that ( btw I have a spark ). I'm not saying it's not a good bit of kit, just that it was not designed to gig etc. There are better options if you want to play at home and gig, something like a katana 100 1 x12 with power options, or one of the new fender GTX may suit you better :)
For the katana all ya need USB mirco adapter2.0 mini usb. Plug right into your android phone plus u can plug into aux from headset to aux on amp run anything ya want from from beat loop apps or backing tracks gotta looper pedal even better. Plus the sound of the katana kickass. Ya dont need a computer!!!.
I'm 48 and don't gig out, just play at home. I have the Katana 50 Mk1 and the Katana 50 Mk2, connected by a Radial Big Shot ABY for wet/dry. Big and solid sound, and loads of features onboard. The Spark was interesting for a few minutes as I watched, but I'm already pretty covered for most things.
My Spark had a bad speaker and then it died. I just didn’t feel like they deserved a second chance considering I gave them more than a year to work out their QC issues. I was really enjoying it, but it is strictly a practice amp, so I ended up being glad to get the less expensive Katana. Something about the 4” speakers always bugged me, but the sweet 12” speaker in the Katana is a winner IMO. What I found with the Spark was that despite all the cloud sounds, I really just preferred to always use one or two of my favorite sounds, so so don’t miss having a thousand options (although I do still have BiasFX plug-in). I do miss being able to switch tones from my phone instead of having to go to the amp, but truthfully, I should probably not be switching that often and practicing more instead. So for me Katana is a clear winner because it is about $40 cheaper and has a more professional speaker. I doubt I’ll ever play out, but it is nice to know I won’t need to buy another amp if I do.
Very thoughtful review. I went with the Spark and the only drawback I find is the inability for a Line Out. You can use the headphone jack but when the sound guy at a venue hands you a 1/4 inch plug you better have the adapter or the look on his face when he has to mike your amp is not pleasant. Much more flexibility with the Spark. The backing tracks are good practice and you can play along with almost any song as it feeds you the chords. But the real power is the downloadable tones. Almost any sound you can think of is in there.
Do not want to deal with an app and, probably, the Goolag app store. I want plug and play simplicity without being nagged for updates, spying and having my data sold endlessly.
Own the Spark. Used to own Katana 100. My main amp is a Vox. I used the Katana and now the Spark in the living room as a practice amp when the office is occupied by my wife. I prefer the Spark because of its size. I also like the fact I can control it from across the room. The Spark sounds good but I do think the Katana sounds a little better and a lot louder but for my purpose the Spark sounds fine and is less obvious and more suitable for my purpose. Both good. Really depends what you are using it for.
Difficult to evaluate tones because limited to the device used to view the video. Analysis of features is very valuable. To tell the truth, I need a practice amp for practice. If in the future I need an amp for performing, can go the $ for another amp. Good analysis. Enjoy and appreciate all your videos. Kudos and thanks.
I agree with your summary. The spark has a lot of great practice features, the heavy base sound is bad though (better with headphones) and the Bluetooth connection never works without a lot of faffing about. The Katana (100 in my case) is terrific too but less geared towards practice features and absolutely fine for gigging.
My Spark 40 was really cool for tuning, but the EQ doesn't work, and the system can't use gain without a loud HISSY fit, rendering it useless for my purposes. Customer service says they are too busy selling the newer units right now to fix this issue. Hmmm. I'll see about returning it.
I own a Spark. I have used Bias from positive grid for a long time, so I though the Spark had to be awesome. Sadly I have to say I am not satisfied with it at all. Muddy, buggy, and the tuner is a joke (witch is something I really want to work Good in a PRACTICE amp) The sounds I Get is just never really as good as I wish. So would not recommend the spark. But it’s up to personal preferance
In my humble opinion, I don’t see any reason to buy the Spark over the Katana. The biggest reason being that the Boss can be used as a practice amp and is loud enough to gig in many situations. I have the same model that doesn’t have an effects loop but DOES have a power amp input so I can just use my HX Stomp through it.
Have the spark. Between the common grounding issue, muddy sound, and now other electronic faults, I'm done. It's going back. I'm on here checking out other amps to replace it. I think most of these spark amps are going to be in land fill in the next 2 years
I finally started using it. Got a mini jackson guitar so I can sit in a recliner and play without a full size guitar taking up more chair than me. I got sick and have cancer and can't stand up and play anymore. The little guitar and the spark keeps me playing where I don't think I could if I had to use anything else. It helps keep my sanity now and gives me something to think about other than the pain. It just seemed like a gimmick at first but I love it now because I really use it now.
I have the boss katana100 MK II and love it. For the money it can't be beat. It's a amp beginners can afford and stay with you once you get good enough to gig.
I think the spark is better than the katana 50 but it's worse than the katana 100. The latter just sounds much better for some reason. The real problem with the spark is that it doesn't have a expression pedal. This means you can't adjust the volume. Also the spark has a limited EQ that has to be focused to get rid of all the bass. And so fine-tuning it is kind of problematic. The katana has of course both parametric EQ and a 10 band EQ. This gives you tons of flexibility. And of course it's obvious that you have much more flexibility on all the effects and how to control them and so on.
Just so you know, the Spark 40 does *not* have PC connectivity. I wish it did, but no... I will say this though, I wish I had heard of the Boss Katana _before_ I bought a Spark. Boss has been around a long time and I have several of their effects that are 20 plus years old and still work fine. But not having a cell phone or tablet, the spark I paid $283 for is essentially a "run of the mill amp". The Katana is actually more of what I was looking for, from a much more well established company, and it retails for much less. If I didn't have to pay to send the Spark back, I would, and then buy a Katana.
I'm still hesitating to resell it... It's muddy as hell! Very bad as a BT speaker, too because of this muddiness. Mayne mine is a lemon. But I saw that some people replace the speakers by Hi-fi car spakers to get clarity.
I thought the Spark sounded like junk. They made most of the sounds really wet to try and impress people. That tiny set of speakers in that little cab are bassy because they made the low end boosted, but it sounds muddy. The bigger speaker in the Katana can easily put out more bass. I thought the Katana sounded WAY better. Boss does need to get on the tone cloud wagon, though. Even my Line6 AmpliFi from several years back had that goin on. Even if you don't quite like a sound you pull down, it's a starting point that you can tweak which is better than starting completely from scratch. Although, when you do that, you sometimes stumble on something totally different, but really cool
It’s simple, if you are in a budget and starting off with the hope of joining a band or jamming with friends then it’s a katana. If you just want to get lay at home by yourself then the spark. If they put a speaker out on the spark that could change everything.
Katana wins! My Spark totally unreliable…. Mine is useless just like a lot of owners… not working properly … no guitar sound …design flaw??? Regrets😖😖😖
How about a vid on how to record yourself and amp. I mean from beginning to end what cables r needed, actually plugging them in, simple interface, with or without backing track, etc...I’ve seen a few vids, but none seem detailed enough for beginners
horrible example of both amps, having played through a spark i can tell you for a fact they sound a million times better than this. still not great but theyre passable. it would help if you tuned your guitar.
I have both. I'm always interested to hear what newer players think of them. A lot of vids on which one is best, but they're at a price point where they're both worth getting.
I tried a friend’s spark and it was an absolute noise fest, any amount of gain and it was just a mess. The power supply doesn’t have a ground, so I assume that probably has something to do with it. Is that your experience though? I see all these people raving about it, but it feels unusable to me, makes me wonder if they are all just being paid.
@@awothers72 Spark is more a gimmick vs a guitar amplifier. The sound of positive grid is more like an expensive radio vs an amplifier. Spark chord play along doesn't match the song chords I find 50% of the time. The Spark software only runs on Apple or Android for most home users in this age is not realistic. Positive Grid needs to develop a windows client. Katana is more like a guitar amp vs Spark is a bluetooth jukebox.
The Spark is junk. Waited 2 months to get it and it only lasted 2 months. Now I’m stick with a 10 pound boat anchor. Positive Grid has no customer service!!! Beware!!!
I think I’m the only guy with a bad spark experience. It started with a misspelled email followed by a series of automated ticket numbers and emails followed by my amp’s series number failing to access the good stuff on line. Still trying to get it resolved
I got shut of my spark. You can only have one, say, delay in a chain! I got a line 6 fx 100. You can have many, if you want.the spark is a great entertainment toy. Many hours of fun.
I have both a mustang Gtx100 and the spark. I think the modeling sounds better on the gtx, but the spark has more features overall. Also as practice amps, it’s nice to have something this small.
This its a joke how You are able two compare one amp white 12 speaker inch ? It's imposible . The spark it is a hi fi device and it's sound better Even whit the difference
Excellent and honest review. I've owned and gigged with the Katana and to be perfectly honest it's far too fiddly with stuff I'd never use, thousands love it but not for me, far happier with something more simplistic like a Fender Blues Junior or Pro Junior for a live environment, rather have a more straightforward platform and add pedals. Totally agree with your thoughts on The Spark for home use, aesthetics are important in the living room and The Spark does have a cool look and looks to have excellent features too, I will certainly be checking it out after watching your review, other great amps worth looking at exclusively for home use are The Yamaha THR, and Blackstar Beam. So much brilliant gear these days but guitars, amps etc are all down to personal choice. Very informative channel. Stay safe. Stu
A really nice video! I think I will also go for the Spark, I have been playing acoustic for 4 months now and I have promised myself an upgrade when it is my birthday and have delivered enough sweat. Currently level 4 Yousician. Also a mid life giaar hero - 46 in March
A better comparison would have been the Boss Katana Head which is about the same size as the Spark. Same effects as the Katana amp and puts out 30w on 2- 8" speakers. Great for home plus puts out more than enough volume for open Mics without carrying a larger amp..
I own the Spark still, but used to own the Katana. Katana is a very good amp and I'd suggest it for anyone on a budget that can only own 1 amp and wants to gig with it. If you want a variety of tones it can't be beat. I also own the Fender Champion 50xl and if you like the Fender sound (they try to model other brands too) and want something simple I think it's really good.
Now the reason I kept the spark...It's a great practice amp because you can leave it just about anywhere and it blends in well. Nobody would think it's anything but a nice Bluetooth player if you don't tell them. It's also plenty loud enough for home practice. I've had it cranked not even close to full volume and it rattled the windows. It's not a toy. If you want to, you can absolutely make your neighbors angry hah
IMO, if I were starting from scratch I'd get the Spark and once I knew what kind of music I wanted to play, what brand I liked, I'd get a tube amp. Unless you are getting the spark does everything you need for home playing. If you're playing solid state it's the only amp you need for most people, at least to start. The only real negative is that it doesn't have an effects loop. That doesn't bother me one bit and I think most beginners shouldn't even worry about what that is for a while. But there are some people that will complain that they can't use their pedals because there is not an effects loop--which most practice amps don't have anyways. To me the beauty of the spark is it has a lot of tones, but it's still pretty easy to lock in on ones you like and leave it at that.
Agree with all of what you said there, thanks for the comment!
Hi Roger & Midlife Guitar - Couple of questions. I'm looking for a practice amp, and the Spark looks good for that. Most of my practicing would be done with headphones and I'm wondering if 1) the Spark has stereo effects (delay, reverb, chorus) and 2) if there are stereo effects, are they stereo when using the headphones.
I do own a Katana, which works fine, but doesn't do either of those things. I used to have one of the Mustang III amps, and the stereo sounds were glorious (I miss that)! Thanks to both of you for the comments and the review!
@@anotherheadlessdemo I haven't looked at the manual or anything, but it sounds stereo in this vid. It also has two 4" speakers. I would guess it has stereo delays, but idk about the other fx. You can also check out the new fender mustang amp. More expensive than katana and spark, but comes with a footswitch and has a diff sound judging from the yt vids I've heard.
Hey! I also own the Fender Champion 50xl, and I’m really interested in the spark amp. You think I should sell the champion 50xl to get the spark?
I"ve got a Spark and a Katana MKII Studio and for just practicing the Spark is much easier to get any tone into. It's so much more work with the Katana due to needing a computer to swap out presets. Sure I have more switchable slots for sounds in the Katana but in a few sec I can search and DL a new tone to the Spark. However I bought the Katana as a future gigging amp that really excels combined with the optional Boss floorboard to switch sounds or swap FX categories on and off. Plus the Katana's power amp input works great for sending in a different modeler (such as Line 6 Helix Stomp) straight to a super-clean, high volume channel. Both Spark and Katana can get some similar sounds but I see their roles differently.
I own the Katana MK 100 and the Spark and after the honeymoon phase with the spark, I find myself using the Katana more again. I love the simplicity of it and not having to deal with an app to get the sounds I want.
Fair enough, it does sound great 🤘
I bought the Spark 40 but it malfunctioned right out of the box while updating the firmware. Seems like they would do that at the factory. I'm not happy with it so I'm sending it back and buying a Katana, Orange Crush 35RT, or the UGLY Yamaha Thr5. I don't need 7,200 tones (that's 7,150 hair-splitting tones) and I don't want to have to use an app.
I to had a none functional amplifier spark out of the box never worked as a guitar amplifier.i had a false fix and ran past 30day return time now they are refused to refund my money
@@silverbushman You'd think with all the competition out there, including companies with such rich pedigrees as Boss, you'd think Positive Grid would want to help out thier new customers. I'll stick with my Boss.
@@timdouglas620 they are trying to avoid the manufacture problems and make it seem fult of use...
I'm 45 and I've been playing for fun for a long time but mostly acoustic. When decided to go electric I went to a couple of modeling amps and settle with the Katana because I can use it without an app. Just plug and play and get great tones. My previous experience with modeling amps and downloading apps and sounds was a little bit overwhelming. I guess both are great amps but I love the simplicity of the Katana.
That's awesome! I find the spark even easier to be fair. You can play around with tones on both though to make your heart content.
From my end boss sound is far superior.
I agree
I have the spark and I can assure the boss sounds way better.
@@beardedrancher I had a spark and got rid of it. Its just a cheap shitty practice amp and the tone is horrible.
@@adelaidedrummer I don't the the crunch tones are too bad and it has some cool features but they should've just spent some time on the cleans. It's just not up to par with the other stuff thats out there. The bugera v5 costs about the same and is way better on the clean tones. I just use mine as a Bluetooth speaker now for the most part, but I'm working on trying to dial something in.
The spark sounds like dog water. Literal ass. Katana massacred it.
I have both and have been playing guitar for about 30yrs. Had the katana first and love it but to get certain tones take time. The spark changed everything. Just push a few buttons on your phone or tablet and dial in every tone you ever wanted! The spark is amazing!!
Using the phone takes away from using it as an amp..sick and tired of staring into the phone....or a computer or tablet
I have both. I prefer the tones from the Katana, but like the "practice" and ease-of-use features of the Spark. If I were to have just just one: Katana.
Waiting for the spark. Play for my own enjoyment and non judgemental friends and family. Having access to different amp tones and some pedal sounds should make playing more fun.
Spark shipped. Harley Benton arrived today. Life is pretty good.
@@kompst are You enjoying it?
I heard so much hype about the spark however being a vintage valve type of guy I ignored it for ages, I mean how could a solid modelling amp touch a Marshall 62 blues breaker or even an orange tiny terror etc... but they did such a good marketing campaign ... well... I bought one just to see what all the fuss was about. it cost me about £260 inc a free bag (be aware the price shown online is before tax)... I've had mine about 2 weeks now and im blown away with how good it is.. it does have a trillion shite settings online etc.. its no way any good for a show even if its a small gig.. no line out apart from headphones.. works great with headphones but you can't put it through a cab etc... but for what it is.. a small practise amp with loads of sounds and a few extra fun things play with...its great.. no its brilliant ... I was so doubtful and thought if nothing else its an audio interface for getting ideas down with a DAW... trust me for the price you won't regret buying one (takes 3 weeks to arrive though.. not good) and if for some reason you do sell it on eBay as I've seen them going for £300 with no bag (cool bag as well would cost £40 separately)... don't get me wrong if your after an amazing tone this is great but it scant compete with a real valve amp with kt66's at full volume but it will give you a very close alternative without taking the roof off your wigwam... id give it 95 out of 100 for sounds and fun but 99% for what it basically is... a small lunchbox amp with great sounds and loads of other fun stuff... I should be getting paid by the amp makers for such a nice review I think but I doubt they really need my help to sell them.. peace, wils
If you put the Spark through a Electro Harmonic 44 via the headphone jack you can put in through any guitar speaker cab. The EH 44 has an output of 44 watts so going through say a Marshall 2x12 cab or 4x12 cab the setup would be plenty enough for gigging.
I love where the guitar industry is at as far as amps and modeling software. No more hauling heavy , expensive equiptment anymore. I can literally bring a Hss strat, my ipad, a cheap interface and some cables and get whatever sound I want at the tap of a finget
You dont need cables anymore
@@maxs.5163 you dont even need a guitar anymore
Spark is overhyped unreliable piece of crap and poor customer service
Can't wait to get my spark amp. I'm a beginner so I won't be gigging anytime soon, if ever lol.
It's a lot of fun!
I have both. Katana is superior in every way.
Spark is good on a coffee table or in an office. It's not a real serious amp.
Spark is also buggy and can’t be depended on. Katana has been out for like five years and is on v2, and is a stable platform. Spark is more for beginners, not adult musicians IMO. It is a cool gadget though, and I love the BiasFX engine-the Spark platform is just not up to snuff.
If my wife would have said get the spark, I would have gotten the Katana.....probably why I haven’t got a wife.....or a spark or a Katana
I’m thinking about getting the Katana though 👌🏼
Katana mkII 100 and I would never buy anything again. Amplifier for home, study, rehearsal room and stage. In addition, a constantly updated editing program that expands the functionality of the amplifier and also gives you the opportunity to learn the basics of effects and plugin management.
Another mid life beginner here (2 years now !) for anyone reading this please please just start with an amp like the katana or spark . I spent way too much on a tube amp and pedal board before finally realizing all I needed was a damn Katana. The katana is amazing.
Great to hear you are similar in experience to me. I have yet to go down the tube amp path and explore it but from my experience keeping it simple when learning is key. There is plenty of time down the road to explore tones.
Yep, well said.
@@MidlifeGuitar Wife would hate it, but can always try something like the blues jr or monoprice/harley benton amp (has other brand names too idk offhand). They're a diff beast, and I feel like a tube amp snob. I knew you didn't use traditional tube amps when you were talking about the bass on the spark and katana as something like a fender tube amp is super mid rangey. Btw I have a spark and katana. Both are great!
@@MidlifeGuitar a great alternative to the tube path is a roland blues cube I own a few valve amps plus modellers yhe blues cube is very organic feeling. Gigged it a fair bit brilliant
The spark is great only really lacks battery option
I use the Katana at home on the .5 watt setting, volumes just under half, and I am very happy with the sounds I get, clean and crunch. To get the same crunch/rock to metal type of sound on my tube amp requires many pedals and more volume. I love'em both, but I like the Katana at home.
The .5 setting is already mad loud. As an absolute beginner I thought it would be a very low volume when i bought the amp. In reality, I have not even used the 25 or 50w setting, except for a bit of fiddling to see how loud it goes and even then I didnt dare to crank it up. I live in an apartment so this .5w setting is ideal for me.
The Katana is not all that great, they bought off a lot of youtube channels over the last couple years to lie and big it up.
Just my opinion and experience: I can appreciate what everyone's experience has been with these amps. As a gigging musician for years, I have some amazing amps and pedals that I use out. But when I'm at home, I don't necessarily want to set all of that up to practice. I played the Katana in the store and wasn't that impressed with it. The Spark on the other hand has inspired me to practice more. Alot of folks are complaining of the "grounding" noise while not playing, which you would and do get using the real rig setup. The Spark app allows you to tweak and configure whatever amp and pedal combo you might want, which includes (as i did with my gigging rig) adding a noise gate pedal on my Spark pedalboard, which took care of the "grounding" noise. The Spark lets you try out some very good simulations of high end amps and pedals for electric, bass, and acoustic guitar (which can all be individually knob tweaked to your taste) at a great price, you are able to practice with tons of prerecorded jam tracks as well as search your favorite songs and figure out that lead lick that's been driving you nuts by looping that section of the song and/or slowing it by .5x and gradually increasing the speed until you are able to play along at full speed, AND you can do it all without waking your family or having the neighbors call the cops on you! The Katana seems great for someone wanting to play around with a few different tones and have a small venue/back up amp, but the Spark checks all of the boxes for a great practice amp that actually inspires you to play and improve as a guitarist.
Thanks for the input, I’ve been curious about how people are handling the ground issue on the spark and if the noise gate worked, your comment gave me clarity.
That was long
I really appreciate this feedback on your experience with the Spark. I'm a beginner and want something that will not only get a lot of different sounds, but also encourage me to play and learn. Spark sounds like the ticket. 👍👍👍
Nice feedback, you gave me a lot of clarity on the "grounding noise" thing, thanks a lot
My spark is powed by à 18v milwaukee drilles batterie, no noise and i practically not used thé 120 v ac power and wireless!!!!!!!
Spark sounds like the guitar you hear post-production. Katana sounds like an amp.
Thats how I've always felt about the Katana. Definitely doesn't make me want a spark then!
Nice review. not too long, just right. One of each: a Katana for me, and a Spark for my neighbour...
Why do none of these, save for the more expensive Katana 100w have pre amp outputs? GLARINGLY inadequate in terms of this.
Thank you for the informative demo I just pulled the trigger on the Spark amp. I've been playing for over 35 years and think it's a great tool to learn songs and write. I subscribed!
Pick up a Line 6 real cheap and skip this nonsense. In a couple years these amps will sell for $75 and there will be thousands of them available. Maybe they sound like shit because the speakers they are using suck? I purchased a used Line 6 Spider 3 for $50. It sounds better than or equal to those amps. GK built a small amp with two 8" speakers that sounded fantastic in the 80s, but I think it was at least $400 at the time. One of those amps used would be a way better option I think than this consumer level junk.
Purchased and am waiting for my Spark to arrive!
The suspense was killing me
Lol
Thanks for the video,mate!
Eric
Hey Eric. I ordered the spark and got it in 5 days. I love the amp. Great for practice and playing with backing tracks. Have not done any recording. But looks straight forward
Good video buddy.looking to buy but poor as dirt,so again,shopping around I guess.one day,BUT THESE DO SEEM TO BE THE TWO BIG RIEGHING CHAMPS..
Cant use a looper with the Spark. Biggest oversight for practicing at home, I like to lay down my own cords and improv over them, you can’t do it on a Spark, that’s a deal breaker for me. Positivegrid don’t mention this, what else can’t it do?
Why is that? A looper just runs to the input, same as the guitar. How would the amp tell the difference?
what else cant you figure out * ftfy
The Spark is cool, but the sound of the Katana is a lot better to me. I own one and I love it. Lots of value for just over $200 US. BTW I’m 67 and took up guitar last winter and I am really enjoying it. It’s a lot different than the drums I have been playing for 50 years lol. Wish I had started years ago! Nice review.
Thanks, I agree it has a slightly better sound overall but it is just the ease of use of the Spark that wins it overall for me. Great to hear you picking up the guitar, your timing is probably excellent having played the drums. I am really working on it at the moment using a metronome.
Various drum issues in a amp doesn't interest me. I'm happy with available built into them. Set it and forget it LOL.
Nice to see a beginner ( like myself) doing a review for a change.
I like the spark in every way except for the tones. That's a big bummer, I would most likely buy one otherwise.
Comparing the Spark with the Katana Air would have been a better comparison, but I still gave it a thumbs up because you gave good sound comparisons.
While i agree theyre more similar amps as far as features the air has a hefty price at over 450 bucks where the katana 50 and spark are under 300
My Spark 40 has been cutting out intermittently.- either with the guitar or computer USB connection. Each dead period lasts for a minute or 2. Firmware update did not resolve the issue. So right now its useful only to hold the door open or as step to reach high places. I'm waiting to hear from PG.
I tried both and ended up going with the Spark, mainly because its more portable and functions as an acceptable bass amp. I actually think the Katana sounds better, and would probably recommend it over the spark if it was going to be your only amp, but you can't beat the spark as a portable practice solution.
My Kat 100 Mk2 is my favorite hands down, bottom line better tone.
The Katana sounds way more organic. The Spark sounds like a Line 6 POD X4 at best.
Fair enough!
@@MidlifeGuitar But in no way is that a total put-down from my side, I'm still debating on buying the Spark due to its simple and intuitive interface that doesn't require me to turn on my PC every time I want to tweak my tone. Great video, by the way!
@@Bald_Toguro try the Katana Librarian app if you have an Android device with a full size USB or an OTG adapter. I use it on an old LG G Pad X2, it came with this magnetic battery pack that included built in speakers, kickstand, and a full sized USB port.
It sits right on top of the amp while plugged in and I can change the saved presets on the fly, adjust all the effects, or even use it as a touchscreen version of the GA-FC foot switch. I have the 100w version though, I don't know if that feature works on the 50w.
The free version of the app is awesome but the paid version was worth $8.
Thanks for a nice review and comparison. The Spark needs a few things before I further consider it.... 1) battery power, 2) stereo speaker out, & 3) additional XLR input for mic or recording.
spark wins for size but sounds pretty bad compared to katana - or near anything else
Thanks for the vid.. I need a new practice amp and have been tossing these two amps around. Your vid was great but even better was the comments People wrote which really helped a lot. Thanks again for the great video, much appreciated.
Really enjoyed listening to your commentary. English isn't my first language but its really easy to follow and understand the way you speak. I might just learn and use your technique for work presentations! But also your playing has clearly progressed. I can see that you're holding the Justinguitar A major chord! Nice one man. Thinking about getting the spark amp.... mmmm maybe during Christmas time to see if there's any discount on offer... Thanks again for a really good video! Enjoyed that!
Glad you enjoyed it! Never thought I would help someone with their work presentation by doing this 😂 but that is awesome! It's a great amp so if you go ahead I would love to know what you think 👍
You lied about your English not being very good man!
Why no effects loop? Seems like an obvious requirement for this type of amp.
Call me a luddite but after the initial excitement of exploring modelling amps I've found myself more often returning to my Vox Pathfinder 15 and Pignose! They're two great sounding amps that I can just plug into and play without having to think about options, options, options!
We’re in a golden age with all the awesome gear available nowadays for not a lot of money. I’ve been playing for 20+ years when I was a kid and back then everything was crazy expensive and sounded bad unless you had a really good tube amp. Same with guitars. Now after years of having GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) and collecting nice pieces of gear I find myself using a Katana to practice for it’s simplicity of use. Take advantage kids.
Katana sounds better by far
Blackbird needs more practice ;-)
I have enjoyed my Katana 50 for over 2 years now and have to say it has been my favorite amp since I sold my Peavey Speciqal 130 back in the late 80's. My only regret is I wish I had the foresight to have purchased the 100 watt Katana because of the pedal loop feature which the 50 does not have.
use a looper?
I have a spark and love the thing. I tried the katana and loved that too but the spark to me was just the better amp. Also buddy the Hendrix tone you pulled in with the spark was not one of the better ones. But hey man thanks for the great video.
That Hendrix tone is digital sounding crap
Owned both. Both are great. I kept the spark though and sold the Katana. Only reason being the Spark is smaller and looks better in a living room setting which is what I wanted it for. The Katana is a more versatile amp you could use to gig. However I already have that and it wasn’t what I was looking for.
Correction!! The katana has a hidden tuner built but you have to press a few buttons about 18-21 times to find it..
Are you talking about the April Fool by this guy?😀 th-cam.com/video/moVGSHz79Yk/w-d-xo.html
Built in tuners are nice, but not a big deal for me. I have several clip on tuners. They're cheap and work well with or without your amp on.
What a great post. Great info for any beginner but especially for us older beginners who think that part of the phone is being able to emulate the tone of the song you're trying to learn. Thanks to all those who gave their opinions on the Katana. That's the next amp I think I will get. But after a few days I've changed my mind! Ordered the Spark after all.
Glad it was helpful!
I'll give my opinion ... my Katana 50 is now unplugged and will stay that way. I love my new Spark.
To my ears Katana sounds better.
Use equalizer on spark to fix bass issue
katana sounds way better
Thanks! I’ve had both as well and I’m really enjoying the spark. I’m also in the same boat as you - started playing guitar just over 2 years ago at 40 years old and I’ve jumped all in. Tons of fun.
Agree, the Spark is so much fun that the Boss isn't getting much attention at the moment 😂 Sounds like you and I have a similar story with guitar, it is addictive once you get in to it!
Im 55 and just started in April 2020 made sure something good to come out of COVID memory’s. I’m obsessed with playing and determined to get at decent. About 400 hours in since April. I’m sure there’s many of us out there. May all of you have a great journey. My heart thinks bigger is better , but if I want in living room and make my wife happy it would be the spark.
With the Spark - I had humming on all channels it drove me crazy. I reached out to their customer service and they sent me a new plug. This has fixed it. If you are having the same issue, I encourage you to do the same.
idk, i think the katana has a less muddy sound.
Use the bridge pickup for ac dc
Spark for practice, Boss for gigging. Spark's features make it a lot more fun. Your playing is coming on at a great rate btw.
Yes! That pretty much sums it up! and thanks for the compliment 👍
Thanks for the review. I purchased a Spark through your link.
Thank you, I appreciate it and I hope you enjoy it 👍
If Spark had an audio out, it could be used with a solid 2x12 cab or even a PA. Why isn't there a 1/4" out? It's a downside IMHO.
just get a cable that converts the 3.5 mm out to a 1/4"? I use mine with 2 2x12 cabs. The cabs are being powered by my stereo reciever which has a rca connection to a 3.5 mm jack which goes to my spark.
Because it's a home practice amp and no more :)
@@lperry65 at 40 watts it can be more. Or they soils roll out a higher model with more power and real bands capabilities IMHO
@@allenshaw2022 It's a great practice amp with loads of teaching tools, but the lack of fx loop, line out and footswitch plus the actual size of the speakers tell you that this was designed for home use only. And it's not a real 40 watts, I have 40 watt valve amps and this is not that ( btw I have a spark ). I'm not saying it's not a good bit of kit, just that it was not designed to gig etc. There are better options if you want to play at home and gig, something like a katana 100 1 x12 with power options, or one of the new fender GTX may suit you better :)
For the katana all ya need USB mirco adapter2.0 mini usb. Plug right into your android phone plus u can plug into aux from headset to aux on amp run anything ya want from from beat loop apps or backing tracks gotta looper pedal even better. Plus the sound of the katana kickass. Ya dont need a computer!!!.
I'm 48 and don't gig out, just play at home. I have the Katana 50 Mk1 and the Katana 50 Mk2, connected by a Radial Big Shot ABY for wet/dry. Big and solid sound, and loads of features onboard. The Spark was interesting for a few minutes as I watched, but I'm already pretty covered for most things.
My Spark had a bad speaker and then it died. I just didn’t feel like they deserved a second chance considering I gave them more than a year to work out their QC issues. I was really enjoying it, but it is strictly a practice amp, so I ended up being glad to get the less expensive Katana. Something about the 4” speakers always bugged me, but the sweet 12” speaker in the Katana is a winner IMO. What I found with the Spark was that despite all the cloud sounds, I really just preferred to always use one or two of my favorite sounds, so so don’t miss having a thousand options (although I do still have BiasFX plug-in). I do miss being able to switch tones from my phone instead of having to go to the amp, but truthfully, I should probably not be switching that often and practicing more instead. So for me Katana is a clear winner because it is about $40 cheaper and has a more professional speaker. I doubt I’ll ever play out, but it is nice to know I won’t need to buy another amp if I do.
Very thoughtful review. I went with the Spark and the only drawback I find is the inability for a Line Out. You can use the headphone jack but when the sound guy at a venue hands you a 1/4 inch plug you better have the adapter or the look on his face when he has to mike your amp is not pleasant.
Much more flexibility with the Spark. The backing tracks are good practice and you can play along with almost any song as it feeds you the chords. But the real power is the downloadable tones. Almost any sound you can think of is in there.
Do not want to deal with an app and, probably, the Goolag app store. I want plug and play simplicity without being nagged for updates, spying and having my data sold endlessly.
Own the Spark. Used to own Katana 100. My main amp is a Vox. I used the Katana and now the Spark in the living room as a practice amp when the office is occupied by my wife. I prefer the Spark because of its size. I also like the fact I can control it from across the room. The Spark sounds good but I do think the Katana sounds a little better and a lot louder but for my purpose the Spark sounds fine and is less obvious and more suitable for my purpose.
Both good. Really depends what you are using it for.
Difficult to evaluate tones because limited to the device used to view the video. Analysis of features is very valuable. To tell the truth, I need a practice amp for practice. If in the future I need an amp for performing, can go the $ for another amp. Good analysis. Enjoy and appreciate all your videos. Kudos and thanks.
I agree with your summary. The spark has a lot of great practice features, the heavy base sound is bad though (better with headphones) and the Bluetooth connection never works without a lot of faffing about. The Katana (100 in my case) is terrific too but less geared towards practice features and absolutely fine for gigging.
My Spark 40 was really cool for tuning, but the EQ doesn't work, and the system can't use gain without a loud HISSY fit, rendering it useless for my purposes. Customer service says they are too busy selling the newer units right now to fix this issue. Hmmm. I'll see about returning it.
in every review the Spark sounds too bassy!
Well, the bass level can be adjusted. I have the bass knob turned down to 1/2 for most songs I play.
I own a Spark. I have used Bias from positive grid for a long time, so I though the Spark had to be awesome. Sadly I have to say I am not satisfied with it at all. Muddy, buggy, and the tuner is a joke (witch is something I really want to work Good in a PRACTICE amp) The sounds I Get is just never really as good as I wish. So would not recommend the spark. But it’s up to personal preferance
The Boss hands down.
In my humble opinion, I don’t see any reason to buy the Spark over the Katana. The biggest reason being that the Boss can be used as a practice amp and is loud enough to gig in many situations. I have the same model that doesn’t have an effects loop but DOES have a power amp input so I can just use my HX Stomp through it.
Spark kills it!
🌌🌌🌌Spark🌌🌌🌌
Have the spark. Between the common grounding issue, muddy sound, and now other electronic faults, I'm done. It's going back. I'm on here checking out other amps to replace it. I think most of these spark amps are going to be in land fill in the next 2 years
What are you learning towards?
Katana, Yamaha Thrii10?
I ordered the spark a long time ago couldn't wait to get it, now it sets on a shelf.
☹
can I have it?
Wanna sell?
I finally started using it. Got a mini jackson guitar so I can sit in a recliner and play without a full size guitar taking up more chair than me. I got sick and have cancer and can't stand up and play anymore. The little guitar and the spark keeps me playing where I don't think I could if I had to use anything else. It helps keep my sanity now and gives me something to think about other than the pain. It just seemed like a gimmick at first but I love it now because I really use it now.
@@alanshadyvally glad u like it, cant wait for
Mine! Hope you get better btw!
I have the boss katana100 MK II and love it. For the money it can't be beat. It's a amp beginners can afford and stay with you once you get good enough to gig.
I think the spark is better than the katana 50 but it's worse than the katana 100.
The latter just sounds much better for some reason.
The real problem with the spark is that it doesn't have a expression pedal. This means you can't adjust the volume.
Also the spark has a limited EQ that has to be focused to get rid of all the bass. And so fine-tuning it is kind of problematic. The katana has of course both parametric EQ and a 10 band EQ. This gives you tons of flexibility.
And of course it's obvious that you have much more flexibility on all the effects and how to control them and so on.
Just so you know, the Spark 40 does *not* have PC connectivity. I wish it did, but no... I will say this though, I wish I had heard of the Boss Katana _before_ I bought a Spark. Boss has been around a long time and I have several of their effects that are 20 plus years old and still work fine. But not having a cell phone or tablet, the spark I paid $283 for is essentially a "run of the mill amp". The Katana is actually more of what I was looking for, from a much more well established company, and it retails for much less. If I didn't have to pay to send the Spark back, I would, and then buy a Katana.
Lots of hype going on for the Spark. It was ok , had a lot of features..... but I returned mine .
I'm still hesitating to resell it... It's muddy as hell! Very bad as a BT speaker, too because of this muddiness. Mayne mine is a lemon. But I saw that some people replace the speakers by Hi-fi car spakers to get clarity.
I thought the Spark sounded like junk. They made most of the sounds really wet to try and impress people. That tiny set of speakers in that little cab are bassy because they made the low end boosted, but it sounds muddy. The bigger speaker in the Katana can easily put out more bass. I thought the Katana sounded WAY better. Boss does need to get on the tone cloud wagon, though. Even my Line6 AmpliFi from several years back had that goin on. Even if you don't quite like a sound you pull down, it's a starting point that you can tweak which is better than starting completely from scratch. Although, when you do that, you sometimes stumble on something totally different, but really cool
Got burnt by Positive Grid back in the day will never buy anything from them again. I do have and love the Boss.
The katana defo sounds better with its bigger speaker.the spark is good for home use but I’d still get the katana .it’s like a one time purchase
It’s simple, if you are in a budget and starting off with the hope of joining a band or jamming with friends then it’s a katana. If you just want to get lay at home by yourself then the spark. If they put a speaker out on the spark that could change everything.
Katana wins! My Spark totally unreliable…. Mine is useless just like a lot of owners… not working properly … no guitar sound …design flaw??? Regrets😖😖😖
I settled on the Yamaha THR 10ii W which also is a brilliant choice for a desktop size modeling amp. Brilliant review!
Nice one! I would like to try that out.
Have this one too and like it a lot, great option for desktop amp!
How about a vid on how to record yourself and amp. I mean from beginning to end what cables r needed, actually plugging them in, simple interface, with or without backing track, etc...I’ve seen a few vids, but none seem detailed enough for beginners
Great idea, I'll add it to my list.
horrible example of both amps, having played through a spark i can tell you for a fact they sound a million times better than this. still not great but theyre passable. it would help if you tuned your guitar.
I have both. I'm always interested to hear what newer players think of them. A lot of vids on which one is best, but they're at a price point where they're both worth getting.
I tried a friend’s spark and it was an absolute noise fest, any amount of gain and it was just a mess. The power supply doesn’t have a ground, so I assume that probably has something to do with it. Is that your experience though? I see all these people raving about it, but it feels unusable to me, makes me wonder if they are all just being paid.
Can you plug the spark into the aux of the boss?
@@awothers72 maybe he got a lemon? I heard the quality control on the spark was iffy.
@@awothers72 mine came with a grounded plug. I think the first run came ungrounded
@@awothers72 Spark is more a gimmick vs a guitar amplifier. The sound of positive grid is more like an expensive radio vs an amplifier. Spark chord play along doesn't match the
song chords I find 50% of the time. The Spark software only runs on Apple or Android for most home users in this age is not realistic.
Positive Grid needs to develop a windows client. Katana is more like a guitar amp vs Spark is a bluetooth jukebox.
The Spark is junk. Waited 2 months to get it and it only lasted 2 months. Now I’m
stick with a 10 pound boat anchor. Positive Grid has no customer service!!! Beware!!!
I think I’m the only guy with a bad spark experience. It started with a misspelled email followed by a series of automated ticket numbers and emails followed by my amp’s series number failing to access the good stuff on line.
Still trying to get it resolved
I got shut of my spark. You can only have one, say, delay in a chain! I got a line 6 fx 100. You can have many, if you want.the spark is a great entertainment toy. Many hours of fun.
Watching these reviews of the spark make me glad I went ahead and got a Mustang GT rather than waiting for this thing to come out.
Not sure where you live but the Spark is available most everywhere as far as I know.
I have both a mustang Gtx100 and the spark. I think the modeling sounds better on the gtx, but the spark has more features overall. Also as practice amps, it’s nice to have something this small.
Terrible comparison! Spark is not for live band play. Customized for individual practice and learning/jamming. Oranges and onions.
This its a joke how You are able two compare one amp white 12 speaker inch ? It's imposible . The spark it is a hi fi device and it's sound better Even whit the difference
Excellent and honest review. I've owned and gigged with the Katana and to be perfectly honest it's far too fiddly with stuff I'd never use, thousands love it but not for me, far happier with something more simplistic like a Fender Blues Junior or Pro Junior for a live environment, rather have a more straightforward platform and add pedals. Totally agree with your thoughts on The Spark for home use, aesthetics are important in the living room and The Spark does have a cool look and looks to have excellent features too, I will certainly be checking it out after watching your review, other great amps worth looking at exclusively for home use are The Yamaha THR, and Blackstar Beam.
So much brilliant gear these days but guitars, amps etc are all down to personal choice. Very informative channel. Stay safe. Stu
Whenever I use my katana I'm just on the crunch channel using it as a blues jr basically with a boosted/slightly overdriven tone.
They are different types of amps. You should compare Spark positive grid 40 vs Katana air
A really nice video!
I think I will also go for the Spark, I have been playing acoustic for 4 months now and I have promised myself an upgrade when it is my birthday and have delivered enough sweat.
Currently level 4 Yousician.
Also a mid life giaar hero - 46 in March
Go for it!
Funny you say it’s not cut out for home use. I always played my Marshall tube amp with 5150 4-12” cabinet in my living room 😀 jammin too I might add
Ok so I won't buy either 😹 I would buy the Boss katana mk2 💯
A better comparison would have been the Boss Katana Head which is about the same size as the Spark. Same effects as the Katana amp and puts out 30w on 2- 8" speakers. Great for home plus puts out more than enough volume for open Mics without carrying a larger amp..
Good point!