Positive Grid Spark vs Tube Amps - Let's Find out How Good it REALLY Is!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ม.ค. 2025
- How well do you think the SPARK will do up against some iconic tube amplifiers? Keep watching to find out!
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Enjoy!
Well, I didn't go easy on the Spark in this weeks challenge! This little amp continues to surprise. Let me know which tones you preferred in each comparison!
Enjoy :)
Love the video, Darrell! 👊
Just got one for Chrimbo. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Great vid as always. Cheers!
Should do a vdo about katana mini
I liked them all on the spark. Well the Orange was much better on the orange head than the spark. Everything else was pretty close
Oh and can you save your tones to the cloud? Looks like they'd be great fun to play with!
I like how when Darrell is talking to us he's smiling all happy, but when playing, complete serious face.
I'd be happy if I had a job that could put me on a level to afford all those amps lol
It may not sound like real tube amps, but for the price and size of the speakers, I was shocked at just how good it sounds. More importantly though, it’s a practice amp. Although you can record with it, it’s not a professional music tool. What I love about it is just how much my playing has improved by using it. My soloing has reached a level I never imagined it would because of how great a training tool it is. Best $225 I’ve ever spent.
The size of the speakers shouldn't matter for sound quality (headphone speakers are tiny, my IEMs even more tiny), more for volume.
@@wbertie2604speaker size does matter, headphones sound so good because they reproduce sound very close to the ear. Try using headphones without them on your head
Hey looking back + how wrong you are / were lol
I can’t believe it even came that close, that’s amazing, ordered and on the way!
I bought one when you first reviewed the Spark a while ago. I love the thing and all my other amps are tube amps! I'm using it for practice only, however. Each tube amp does sound a bit better but $250 for an easy to configure modeling amp is a great deal in my opinion. 40 watts can be useful for small venues like coffee shops if its the only amp you have.
I own a Spark, and I love it. It does what what I need it to do, budget friendly, and has a small footprint.
small footprints, like maybe a mouse?
No one throws an acoustic guitar on a snowy roof to humidify it anymore.
I want to watch this video
But I can't find
@@bharattamang9201 bet he did it only for the intro
@Bogey Man Eh!
@@djangelocabansag4523
Ohh
sez who? hehe
I have had my Spark for 3 months now, and love it more and more each day! Great review Darrell, keep the good work coming. Love the Channel! Matt-Kelowna
Considering you're comparing a 400$ spark to 2500$ heads, I'd say it's pretty good lol.
$225 spark!
@@PunitSoni00 That's what I paid. I still haven't really explored all of the different features - but it's great for practicing while watching netflix!
To many of thousand dollars amp head not just one...
$400? I paid $225
Demand is down, supply is up. Price has already dropped to $250. Ask yourself why.
Hi Darrell,
A band mate of mine bought one of these recently, and we plugged it through the pa foldback and FOH.
We are lucky enough to have a very large soundproof practise and recording studio, so we play at gig volume.
I have a lot of stuff set up in our rehearsal room. All Marshall double quad stacks with a heap of different amp heads from wizard 100 watts to Marshall 50s, Fenders and Ampegs.
This thing didn’t quite hold its own with the big rigs, but it did not disgrace itself by any means. I would have been savage if it had, I have spent a great deal of money on amps over the years!
And for the price it is brilliant value. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is getting started and wants to try a bunch of different tones before committing serious bucks.
Thanks for the great review, my mate will be stoked!
Cheers
Tim
Some folks have done some experimentation with using them with keyboard amps (fairly neutral eq compared to guitar amps) and just straight power-amps and apparently it works well, even if it feels a bit icky driving it out the headphone port (The gain structure could be a bit weird I guess)
People need to keep in mind that the Spark is a 250 buck PRACTICE amp that does pretty damn good job of modeling. If you want the real thing go spend 10x the money (for one tone). I love my Spark, it's got me interested in playing again.
Once you get the amp is the software on phone and pc free too conect too it too use online presets
@Pennsylvania _Mike Ok I used the wrong term. I beg your forgiveness. You buy an amp ($$$) and you get whatever tones that amp can produce. You buy the Spark and you get about 30 amp models plus another 40 pedal models all for about $250. I say that's a pretty good deal for a PRACTICE amp.
@@markshone4606 Yes, the app is free to download on your phone or tablet.
@@BigBearBloo Whatever you say, Prof. Dr. ToneMaster, sir.
I use a line 6 spider jam great for the money I think
Awesome... I just bought the Spark for my son this Christmas based on your last video about it. Thanks for the effort!!
Well done, Darrell, as usual. At a fraction of the cost, an awful lot of players can come very close to some iconic amp tones with the Spark - if they don't have to wait months for the backorder to be filled. I could hear differences, but frankly, if I'm just walking into a show, and the sound is through the house sound system, and I'm not listening to a series of amps in succession, I don't think the vast majority of people could tell the difference. I like Steve Ensley's idea of a head-to-head comparison with the Yamaha THRii, since you've reviewed them both separately.
I ordered one on November 15, it arrived November 20.
I just ordered mine 11/19 and it got delivered11/24... It seems like they figured it out.
I honestly think the clean tones, specifically the Fender stuff is where it shines. I got an A/B pedal out and was testing the tones back to back. Are the real amps "better"? Of course, but it's not so different you'd feel bad playing it. I have a Katana Mini that I think is great for what it is as well, but when playing it you feel like you are missing something. Don't feel that way with the spark. If I lived in an apartment or situations where I couldn't crank up a real amp the Spark would be perfect for me. Fortunately I can crank up my amps but where the spark is awesome is just playing around and wanting to try a bunch of different pedal sounds. You can't beat the ease of flipping on a tube screamer sim when you just want to play around or are learning a new song.
The spark is one of the rare purchases where almost nobody I know uses the hyped up features, but it's still a great purchase just as a regular modeling amp alone. I love it.
Considering the cost the Spark is really great and versatile as hell. All tones were excellent and they came close to the original. Especially the 2204 comparison was quite close to my ears. But I still liked the "real" amp tone in all comparisons a bit more - there are still parts of the "tone" that seemingly cannot be emulated easily.
So I think theres still a reason to buy tube amps :)
@@BrianOC41 5 years? Not bad going considering all the committees you have to go thru get 1!
Great comparison. I've also noticed, and love how the spark cleans up with the guitar volume knob. That has been one of the big issues with modelers for years, and they are sorting that out. It reacts very well, and cleans up great.
I actually think modelers have pretty much nailed that now. I have a few and they all do it well. Their recognizing dynamics these days is impressive. But I know what you mean 10 years ago or so that was one of the major issues.
Nah, I don't agree with that at all. It hasn't been a problem for over a decade now. Line6 nailed it ages ago with their modelling amps.
@@PHeMoX I was about to say the same; I used to go from clean to overdrive on most patches from my former Pod XTL just with the guitar S-H push-pull. However, that was on custom patches because the stock ones were dialed with sooo much effects and gain they hardly had any dynamic response, but the tech itself was spot on.
Dude, are you in 2004? That has been sorted out for ages.
I picked one up the spark..been playing a long time had some great amps iconic…and own tone king falcon grande ..at present…damn this thing I can’t stop using..it’s my go to at home..amazing…👍👍
I ordered my spark amp back in November 1973 and it still hasn't arrived...
That was a genuine LOL! from me!! Thanks!
LOL My order took about 2 weeks longer than it was supposed to, it's worth the wait, at least that's what I kept telling myself. When it arrived, I took it out of the box and jammed out for something like 6 hours, and didn't notice the passage of time, while exploring all the features and different tones.
Goodness! Cant u wait?!
Obviously you're kidding but if you honestly ordered one and still haven't received it you should contact support. I ordered mine around 3 months ago and received it in 3 weeks.
Hey I’m unsure where you are from. But the website GuitarGuitar doesn’t advertise this amp on there website however if you use live chat they will send you a link and a private code to order one and it will arrive next day.
Spark is super great. Really enjoy all the settings in it. Great demonstration!
I run the Spark headphone out to a ART SLA-1 power amp and drive a 4x12 loaded with Eminence Private Jacks. I love the variety of tones you can get out of the spark..
Interesting setup
does using a proper cab fix the bass issue ( too bass heavy ) ?
@@And1slash I wonder this too tho a lot of that bass is added in the software.
I run BiasFX on my pc and it's much bassier too.
The manufacturer needs to compress the output's to fix the low end
@@robjobse8860 My other guitar emulations do it. I mean it's not an issue for me I just pop an EQ. But it does feel more bass heavy/weighted than my real amps and plugins.
@@robjobse8860 Doubt it very much. Even on headphones the difference is noticable with the plugins and my Kemper.
I am not saying it's a bad thing btw. It's just their sound and a very easily fixable one if you dont like it.
The front grill of the Spark is held on with Velcro. Pull it off and there is a port hole. Stuff a sock in it and it's not as bass forward anymore. Try it out and let us know!
Or move it out from wall/s, makes it tighter, less room gain to the lows.
I will have to try that, with a 'tube' sock of course :)
True... I have 2, my living room one is on a stand that was was never bassy. Today I took my portable one to my brothers and placed it on the floor, it definitely was more boomy
@@MYdjANDkaraoke Try to place it on the floor in a corner :D
Room gain.
Good thing it can be sorted (on any speaker/cabinet)
One thing to keep in mind is the cab sim you use, mic placement etc. It has an enormous impact on the tone. I do have the Captor X, in which I run my tube amps at home. The cab/mic settings can change my Marshall from an AC/DC to a Queen sound in a few clicks (and a treble booster of course). I wonder what settings were used here with the Captor. Anyway both sounded good and quite close, but each time I found the tube amps to have a little more definition and dynamics. Though, I wouldn't have guessed if not back to back. That Spark thing seems very surprising. Fantastic video!
I have had my Spark for 6 months. I have pushed up there a few times..It sounds better live...I think it has enough choices ,selections and options to keep most of us amused and astonished. I really like the little amp.....Another great review... Thanks....
I am new to guitar getting the spark amp was a game changer for me. Having the ability to play along to backing tracks and have all of these great tones at my fingertips has put my playing into overdrive. 🤘🤘🤘
Great video. It’s crazy how you’re not at 1 million followers yet. I can’t wait to follow your journey there. You have helped give guitars players like me that started by themselves and had no one to ask. Thank you for the knowledge and the help.
Got a spark in the post....cant wait to play around with it...im hoping to use it on future recordings as its a gteat size for my little home studio. If it sounds like that I dont think many people would tell the difference between the spark and the massively more expensive real setups od those amps and effects. Gonna be great if its as good as it seems to be. 😀👍
How has it benen so far?
mine comes in 5 months😫
@@derarken73 thats not good and I still havent had a chance to open mine yet as I ended up with Covid 19....almost over that now though but still havent touched my guitars which I sitting there waiting to be played, got a new G n L Legacy tribute which I have even opened too!! 😔
Another great video brother! Thanks for taking your time on this. I've been on the fence with the spark
I got an "open box" Spark on Amazon (it's basically new) and I'm just waiting on my pre-ordered Cort g300 to get here in April sometime so I can play around with the tones. And, yes, both buys were because of the reviews on this channel. 👍
Thank you so much Darrell. I learn so much watching your videos. The Spark is on my list of additions...
My new Gibson SG Modern gets delivered tomorrow.
I have a Marshall tube amp and a pedal board of 7 pedals and a tuner.
But this little toy looks so cool, I just ordered it with the headphones which will be handy for me.
Will allow me to play at night more in a full house.
The whole experience with the app looks awesome.
Can't wait.
I have had the Spark since it came out and now that I'm older and haven't played out for years this is my go to amp.When you use it alot it gets easier to get rid of them lows you were talking about.Also I have never heard a Amp sound so good through headphones. Awesome video can't belive I missed it a couple years ago.
Just got mine this week. When it first showed up I was worried that I might have wasted $250 bucks, but then started playing with it and the software. Long story, short... my "old" huge Peavey transtube amp that I've practiced with has now been put in the basement. I love this thing!
I got mine about a week ago. I'm very happy with it. Amazing little amp!
Darrell you're awesome bud! I love the videos were you have that pick up that spins in the guitar. Man how awesome is that! And I like how you throw that guitar on top of the building in the snow!! Hell yeah!
I have the Spark and it's a great little amp. What I do find ubiquitous on TH-cam though is the feeling that there's no real hard, objective criticism of the amp. It all feels paid for by Positive Grid for some smiley advertising from all the guitar TH-camrs.
For what it is, it sounds great. But you're right...listening to countless comparisons and having played most of the amps this thing models, there's always going to be that sonic different...that chime and tube saturation that doesn't quiet get there with the modeling. No one likes to talk about it, though. Not dumping on modeling amps...I used tube VSTs for my album. Just being honest.
at the same time i dont think it try to compete tube amp at all... but other modeling amp... and for the price point... i think its also great for beginner to experiment with what type of sound they may actualy prefer like to play... not only amps but pedal ect... it allow them to expirement before commiting to the real amps and pedal with less "risk" if they want to go that route after
its also a one in all solution as you dont need a audio interface and a DAW to play with it...
and of more advance user we mostly alredy know why we might get one
@@samuelj.rivard also as a recently milestone of 63 years young.. it’s nice (on the back) to not haul 50lbs of amp around for practice sessions.
This is my exact thought. Surely there is someone who says “this is hyped internet trash”. I bought it and I’m waiting. But after my experience with Orangewood’s hyped internet trash. I’m thinking I should just cancel and get the yamaha
@@Asherr6 I think the versatility of Spark pushes it over the edge to Yamaha. The Spark literarily has endless sounds you create and model.. no it’s not a tube amp.. but it was never designed to be one... thus the term Modeling.
Hey Darrell how about posting the presets to the cloud?🤔
Thanks dude, I've been considering this amp since it was in beta and was hoping you'd do a test with it.
For most bedroom rockers the Spark is a heckuva deal. I think this episode was quite creative and certainly demonstrated the Spark's ability to deliver a lot of fun for the buck. Thanks!
Thanks! Loved the comparisons. As a new electric guitar player I have a lot to learn about tone and although the spark is helping educate me I was really wondering how it compares to the real thing! Great installment!
Got my Spark a few weeks ago and I fully agree. The tones are impressive. The only issue is too much of muddy low-end, but that is fixable fortunately.
I love the clean tones, delay, and reverb. Not crazy about the overdriven amps.
Did I miss the clean tones - just went through again and the best I could find was the H&K comparison.
@@pdp977 Nah. I don't think he demoed any clean stuff. I was just saying I like the clean tones on my spark. I use it mostly for practice and it's great for that.
That has been my experience too - I’m good through mid breakup but past that it’s a no from me dawg
@@GearGasms Yeah I just use it for metronome stuff and practicing scales. I love running backing tracks through it and playing along through my Hiwatt and bassman. Good times.
@@GearGasms I picked mine up for like $180 shipped when they were running a sale, so for the price of a nicer pedal on my board, overall I’m super happy with the Spark. Thankfully Pos. Grid has their act together and the software works like a charm.
But overall I agree with you, mid down to low breakup I like the sounds you can get. Higher gain and this thing isn’t “awesome” just “practice-y.”
I know everyone comments on the massive low end, but maybe mine’s from a batch that got tweaked, I don’t find it to be overly bassy at all 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve had this amp about three months, and It’s been awesome to help with improvisational skills. With an endless amount of backing tracks for different modes on TH-cam, or creating a loop with a separate free looper app, it makes practicing really convenient.
How do You create a loop with a separate free looper app?? Please help 😊
@@michah9465 Just downloaded a free music looper on your phone. Place your phone on top of the amp, play something you want to loop and record it. Everything played from your phone comes out of the spark amp so you can play over it. Kind of a poor man’s work around, but it works. Wouldn’t suggest stacking multiple loops on top of each other, but it’s good enough to practice over an idea.
My first attempt to learn how to play guitar was almost 35 years ago. Even tuning the beast was hard enough. Not to mention how difficult was to learn how to play actual song and find cords and tabs. Remember there was no internet back those days! I'm in my 2nd try to learn now in my early 50s.... Well what a change! Although i cannot stretch my fingers as easy as when i was young the possibilities are now limitless. After all the art is on our fingers and soul BUT i'm amazes of the quality of tools out there. Even guitars quality is on another level. Remember me trying to play in a punk rock group with my acoustic broken guitar as a bass player... What was i thinking !!! Great video btw. Man you are talented.
I spent all day on the spark and I have a 100 watt valve amp and a fender tonemaster and both are great. I also have a Boss katana -for what it is the spark is amazing and the tones I get from the spark far outstrip what I am able to pull from the katana (I want creamy blues cleans and gains) and are as sweet as I get from my valve and fender. It is not a gigging amp so it has its limits - but heck for the price it is fantastic and does the job of making you want to play all day
The Spark is incredible! Amazing what can be done with modern technology! I have a Spark Pearl on back order. I'm really excited about it. Thank you for this comparison. In fact I first heard about the Positive Grid Spark watching your reviews!! Thank again!!!
Hello Daryl here from BC. Really enjoy your videos.... and love the Ijunk stand. keep the video's coming .... lol
Love the Mayleen & the Sons of Disaster riff in there. Just bought one of these.
I think the thing here is much bigger. It’s not so much as said @7:40 “I’m never going to be able to afford a dual rectifier, or an orange, or a Marshall, or a Hughes & Kettner”, it’s more “I’m never going to be able to afford a dual rectifier, AND an orange, AND a Marshall, AND a Hughes & Kettner”. For anyone starting out this is a poor mans Kemper, with all the Boss and classic pedals on top for only $250 USD (on sale), instead of 100’s of $1000’s. It’s a great way for people to develop THEIR sound, and then, if they want, go buy the “real deal”. Love the video as always - thank you sir!!!!
Hi Darrell, I have a quite interesting topic suggestion for a video. It’s regarding tuning challenges with all non « Floyd rose » equiped guitars... ( I mean all guitars with floating trems but are not locked at bridge and nut)... when using the trem only without bending any strings...and then afterwards tuning the guitar with a tuner you can get them go back to playing and use the trem with impressive tuning stability afterward ( playing chords and notes with again using the trem only) but... if you should after this tuning make a full step or 1 1/2 step bend on the G string or B string or even D string, the guitar will be out of tune... ( the quick fix is to quickly depress the trem and it will often go back in « tune ») or you could try and retune the guitar after the bends... but after this we will now have the trem operation throw it off... so begins the never ending tuning chase between trem usage and bend usage. I’ve yet to find a non Floyd rose trem equiped guitar that does not exhibit this issue. I’ve had a few manufacturers admit to this without clearly explaining why. Perhaps you could get more info and educate us all about this guitar related phenomena.
How about a head to head comparison of the spark and the yamaha THRii? You've reviewed them both. How do they stack up for folks looking to buy one?
My thoughts exactly. I have the Spark but am seriously considering the THR wireless as an alternative. I think the Spark is trying to be a jack of all trades and I’m more interested in good tone. I’ve had some issues with the Spark app too.
I agree. I was hoping for a head to head against the Yamaha THR. I’m sure most of us don’t have a half dozen $1,000 plus amp heads that are interested in the Spark or THR. But it was cool to see how the Spark sounds against the big boys. Please make a video comparing the Yamaha against the Positive Grid
I have both the Spark 40 and a THR10ii. In general, I prefer the Yamaha. I think it's better made and I think the sound from it is more balanced.
One of the differences between the Spark and the Yamaha is that the Spark aims to emulate specific amplifiers and, to a lesser degree, effects whilst the Yamaha doesn't as much. Similar to the Katana (which I also have) the THR has settings for Clean, Crunch, Lead, Hi Gain, and "Special" (which is extra hi-gain) as well as acoustic, bass and flat settings. You do have the choice of "original", "modern" or "boutique" which are differently voiced, but these aren't specifically modeled on real-world amplifiers. I think they are designed to be a bit more generic than that.
The Yammy doesn't have the online cloud based tone library or some of the other app based tools, but I'm not really that impressed with the Spark's app tools. The tone library is awful to navigate and find tones in, largely because anyone can upload to it (so it's littered with copies of the factory presets) and there is limited filtering and zero curation. The tuner on the Spark is useless. I find the TH-cam/music player on the app a bit limiting, and the feature where it analyses the chords is not very accurate. For me I prefer the standard TH-cam app and using backing tracks which list the chord sequences.
As I said, I prefer the Yamaha sound, but I'm not the sort of person who feels he has to try to emulate specific amp models. I can get close enough in most cases using the onboard amp models and tweaking the tone. The THR also has different cabinet models which helps with tone tweaking a lot. The Spark does not. You can download tones for the THR from various websites and install them if you want, or save tones you have created.
The Spark sounds bass heavy and unbalanced to me when using the onboard speakers, particularly when using it as a Bluetooth speaker. It sounds much better through the USB.
Using it with a bass guitar, the Spark gives much better bass response. But the Yamaha isn't bad and actually sounds more refined to my ears. The Spark sounds a bit artificial.
The Yamaha also has the option for an onboard battery and a wireless transmitter. The battery on mine lasts over 5 hours of continuous use.
Having said that, the Yamaha is a bit more expensive, quite a bit more if you go for the THR30ii. For the money, the Spark is OK if you need something small, portable-ish and versatile that can act as a Bluetooth speaker, but the THR is better as a Bluetooth speaker IMO.
If you want something more like a real amp, then for the same money I would look at something like the Katana or the Fender Mustang which, IMO are much better sounding, but aren't as useful as a Bluetooth speaker (the Katana can't Bluetooth at all unless you add a £20 Bluetooth receiver to the aux in). Obviously they aren't as portable and will take up more space, but they will sound better. You could easily gig with a Katana, but will also work at bedroom volumes. A Spark is for bedroom/home use only. It can get fairly loud, but it wouldn't keep up with a drummer and bass player in a rehearsal room.
The other one to look at is the Line 6 Amplifi. This offers most of the facilities of the Spark for around the same price, and has much more versatility when it comes to tones: it has more amp models, cabinet models, more effects, and you can alter the order of the effects chain. It also has a better cloud based tone library, although it still suffers from not being curated, and you can match the tone to the song.
I've also heard good things about the Blackstar range, including the BEAM, although I've never used one myself.
@@KeithMilner don’t forget the Spark is $250 shipped to your door. The Yamaha is $499 and $599.
@@anthonymiller3970 Yes, I said it was good for the money. But for about the same money as the Spark you could get a Katana 50 which, depending on your requirements, might be better.
And the THR10ii is $299, so about $50 more than the Spark.
I’d love to see a video comparing the Spark to a Mustang GTX and a Katana
Dido
Thanks for reassuring me of my purchase of the Spark 40. There are definitely worthwhile tonal differences to consider buying the real thing somewhere down the line, but for a beginner I think the 40 is great to give you a broad palate to keep you from getting bored while you find your sound. Once you have a favorite and you're a true player, plop down the cash for the tube machine!
I got mine about a month ago, based partly on your previous review. I FREAKING LOVE THIS AMP! I plug it into my board via the headphone jack and blow it out proudly through my PA. Killer tone, super easy to use and an amazing product for the price.
But wait! There's More!
And thats what this little tiny amp delivers More
When he played Maylene on the orange that just sold me on the Spark.
Thanks for the time doing the video. Perhaps for a future "Digital vs tube" comparison, a modeling amp made by the same company that makes tube as well?
Talking about VOX. They have a 50 watt amp (small and light) that they actually model their tube amps on Would love to see an in-depth dive into the VOX VX50 GTV.
Hi DBG just stumbled in on your channel and....found such useful vids about guitar maintenance...helped me a lot! You have a nice relaxed style of explaining. Rock on!
Great video, I love my Spark, I was on the fence about it until your first Spark video pushed me over the edge, can’t remember the last time I used any of my other amps now!
I bought this a number of months ago, I'm not much of a player but it's loud enough to piss off my neighbors, hopefully they'll get over it, if not, tough luck!! 🤣🤣🤣 Good review Darrell, I bought your Celtic music on Itunes, good stuff!
The Spark punches WAY above its weight class. Mine continues to surprise me and does the same for my musician friends when they come over to check it out. I know I'm responsible for the purchase of at least 3 Spark amps by friends.
@Logan Bodine - Days, as far as I know. Certainly not the months it took to receive my pre-order.
@Logan Bodine I'm pretty sure they are on Amazon now.
Purchasing the spark was one of the best things I've ever done.
Since you own the spark: Have you used the chord finder feature? Is it somehow useful to you? Thanks!
@@madaeon1 yea it's handy,but I use it more for genetic backing tracks,so I can play improvised solo's over the top,I mainly love the amount of amp pedal combinations I can play with and Tweek.
@@heavybrett-al4082 Thanks for your insight!
I still want this comparison of THRII and Spark, since I own a THRII.
@@madaeon1 once I got the spark,I sold my Yamaha thrx,don't get me wrong the thrx was great,it's just the spark did everything that did,plus more.
Same, best amp purchase I've ever made it's my daily driver for motivation and practice.
The reverbs are other worldly on the Spark
Yes, and then mix in some "Mod".....love it!!
From where I am the real amps save for the Hughes and ketner. Were thinner or jigger. The thing is when I'm by myself I dial in more bottom end
Still waiting for mine✨Thanks 4 the review!
As a Canadian, how dare you post a video on our sacred Thanksgiving Day!!
But...well, I am thankful for your great channel, and the information and knowledge that you provide!
Just kidding folks. This is a really terrific channel, and I am actually pretty thankful for it.
I just picked up a spark I must say pretty amazing for what it does. I was surprised by the build quality not bad and a lot of features packed in.
Wish they had this in a head model with all the features of the spark would love to have this to use with my cab . Still I love my spark I find I play this more then anything because of all the effects . Such a great little amp.
Check out Spark Amp Mods Facebook group, already have a cab out mod as well as a Bluetooth footswitch. Only thing, warranty is no good but, it isn't a big deal for the results.
I sold mine because I had to turn the bass all the way down to make it useable. I have a Fender Mustang GTX now, never looked back. Wondering if others had a similar experience.
0:24 I always enjoy this part 🤣
What were you thinking?
I love that part of the intro as well
Ordered one of these, it never came (waited about five months), and finally asked for my money back. Can't say how frustrating it was to see so many folks on the youtube getting these things for free and building up a frenzy while paying customers had to either wait or never get theirs. That said, always appreciate Darrell's awesome insight and videos!
5 months really?? Where do you live?
I'm thinking about ordering one from Amazon.
I'm in Connecticut. I have a tube amp. Peavey 6505 and a 5150 2x12 cab. But I want something to practice and noodle on while I'm sitting in my living room.
Sorry to hear you never got yours. That's beat dude.
@@williamdistasio9358 It seems like it's gotten a LOT better since last year, but didn't appreciate how the company treated its customers. Seems like a good amp, but since that (failed) order, I'm getting more into plug-ins.
As ALWAYS a great video!! 😁. My only changes would have been to play the "real amp" first, then see how close the spark gets to it. Playing the spark first just confused the ears, trying to remember what the sound WAS. The human brain has a problem doing that.. Personally I think the spark tore it up bro!! 😁
I love that tiny FORTY WATT monster!! 😂
The downloads are mind-blowing for this thing. Then add in all the peddles, amps, tracks, finger charts, etc..etc..it HAS to be the best value in a amp ever!!
I bought a couple mustang ll's from fender. I had fun with them..lots of down loads for it "FOREVER?" Or so they claimed! Then one day I log on to hear any new amp setting done by the customers, can't log on!! Because Fender figured they sold enough amps..so pull the web site with ALL the free downloads on it!!
I would PAY to get them..fender said.."NO, we have stopped supporting the mustangs!"
Well..my last one was TWO whole years old!!
I will never buy a FENDER amp again!!
So..IF spark keeps their support site up for the spark, it will be my basic footprint to my computer from now on! Thanks again pal..it makes me that much happier I bought it?😁👍✌️
Played a show thru a Marshall Micro stack one night. I ran a mic in front of it to the PA. One of the best sounds I ever had. Tube screamer. The 80's. It can be done.
The only flaw I see in the spark is that there is no channel selector foot switch. Thinking about buying one.
Hey Darrell. Love your content.
I have noticed how the sounds played through a computer sound so much better than the speakers. Can you or have you done a video on how to play through your computer (software, wire set up) sort of thing. Thanks and really appreciate your content
Following this!
Hello Darrell! Nice video!
I have to say that I enjoy so much the sound the amp produces! (I go from blues to rock and hard rock).
I mainly use it with my headphones and record directly to my pc and I have noticed that the quality of the recordings is awesome!
For the 250euros I payed, I have to say that it definetely worth it.
For the history, I own an ashdown fallen angel 2x12, a marshall class 5 and a fender champion 600...
I’d love to hear this comparison mic’d rather than direct.
Spark amp is not designed to be miced.
That is the point. In the same price I could buy Tube15 from Harley Benton or small Marshall dsl1. But this is hard to compare while most of the Spark reviews are recorded via USB only. And that sucks even in terms of review itself.
@@PunitSoni00 No. Not at all. It has decent little speakers, but they are for just noodling - not really for tone.
@Randy Aus Noone said about cab. I was saying about little tube combos. Marshall dsl1cr is 1W tube combo.
I've seen some vids with them having a mic. Seemed to be pretty decent.
I am so stoked you played a maylene and the sons of disaster riff!
Not bad on the first 3 amps, in general the amps have a natural bite that the spark misses, but for the price. Nice one man.
I just love my Spark Amp 😎 it makes my cheap guitar sound like a million 😍 great video m8
I loved the Maylene riff thrown in there!!
In some ways, the Spark sounds better than the originals for direct recording or just playing through a home audio system. But my Digitech ElementXP processor pedal does pretty much the same thing. I bought it several years ago. After playing around with it, I quickly decided it just isn't practical for live playing. But the cabinet emulation through the headphone jack is excellent. It has remained plugged in to the line input on the back of my PC since then. I play a lot on the PC speakers, and I'm always ready to open Audacity and just start recording.
Earlier this year, I bought a Fender Mustang GTX 100, and around a month ago, I bought the Spark. I don't have any complaints about the Fender, but since the Spark arrived, I haven't turned the bigger amp on. Good tones, perfect volume for practicing indoors. I only wish it had a footswitch.
@Darrell: Could you publish the tones you used on Spark's library? Thanks for the videos!
Love what you do, thank you Darrell. Spark is now on the shopping list! 🙄😆🤙
Just got one the other day and have sure been having blast with it, soo far...
The actual Orange amp definitely sounded way better! Could immediately hear it. The cool thing for the positive grid was that it sounded more concentrated but not as easy on the ear as the amps.
Pretty much the same problem as my line 6 hd 500. Sounds ok but missing a certain body that just can't be copied imo. Thanks for the demo. It's worth the money for a great practice amp for sure!
As a spark owner, its all in this dudes mix. They sound damn close if not exact in person
This is the video I have been waiting for!!!!!
Same thing for me having to EQ out some low end when recording direct. I think it's added in to compensate for the 3" speakers.
In every case I preferred the real amps. The Spark sounds were usable, but lacked character in comparison. The bass is so hyped it seems like it’s hard to get midrange snarl right.
You are so inspiring and I will keep working on my guitar playing. Rock On. God Bless You.
finally a solid unbiased review, definitely picking one up!
@Darrell RU using any pedals before the tones get to the Amps. If so which ones and on which Amps or is the Spark being driven direct from the Guitars. I'm interested to know if you need to add anything to get the same tones out of the Spark?
What song is being played at 4:05?
Hello Darrell, the comparison was great. I still like the real amps more but the Spark would be great as a recording tool. I have the Positive Grid Bias Amp 2 and I use it a lot in my home studio. Yes, my tube amps still sound better but unless there's a direct comparison, like what you did, there's really no way that anyone notices a difference. The only drawback about Positive Grid products is their lack of interface with PC and Android. Their PC interface is a shame. Super small imaging for their on screen software. And the worst part is that they don't care and there's no improvement planned. As for the android interface, there is none. Otherwise their stuff sounds very good. So, android and PC users beware. This is pretty much ios only. But, as for your demo....BRAVO. I love your channel.
Love the demos of the spark.
I'm using biasfx2 and amp2 on my ipad pro as a backup to the real tube amp with blackbacks cab mic-ed up and blended in a hush box
Yes it sounds much better.... But not more flexible ;). It's amazing what they can do. My first modeller was a vg88 which already was awesome. After a pauze of 17 years I'm blown away what is possible.
But in all honesty it just sounds and mostly also feels a lot better with the real thing. But you have to have the room and knowledge to record and setup it up.
Very impressive
I love mine. I tend to use Royal Crown without the Overdrive with my Rickenbacker 360.
I don’t know if you ever did a video on the katana 50 But this thing impresses me so much so that with the new 100 if you add a valve pedal if you can hear the difference between it in a tube amp you have special hearing I can’t hear it
I would for sure check out the Spark, against Mustang III v2 too, but I am still concerned with the Spark shipping problems.
I just bought one and got in about a week and a half.
Impressive Darrell.....perfect comparison. I have a Spark and will be putting more effort into messing with it...I say we're ALL going to playing modeling amps soon enough. Positive grid is only the first real option. I'd bet a month's pay everyone will have one soon. That's why I'm not spending money on anything right now. I'm expecting big changes in the near future
I love this Spark amp it allows me to play so many different amp and peddle mixes. I could never afford to match all the choices for gives me
Is there anywhere to get a list of these patches? Especially the VOX mentioned at the end of this video.
I’ve got the Spark and I’m diggin it.
Thank you for posting this comparison.
@ 4:05
Thanks, Darrell. Now I'll be jamming Maylene & The Sons of Disaster all day.
Darrell.....how does it power up?......does it plug into the wall.......can it be charged and taken outside?...........can you show us that part of it?...