It says “paid promotion” in the beginning because some people think getting to potentially keep the product (even if it’s a pick) counts as getting “paid.” You see why I rarely do product videos? Such a headache.
Makes total sense why you shy away from these - because you are a sincere guy who intends to tell it like it is regardless of how you came across the product being displayed. Keep up your excellent vids!
If they give you something then it might influence your opinions. That's why I think the disclosures are a good thing. I am here for the demonstration any way. Your explanation at the beginning shows you are trying to keep your integrity.
Looks like you should have just accepted more money to be honest... next time take the money and say... "if I feel like saying it's not good, I'm going to say it." We will take your word on it. That's why we are all here.
On the bright side it's a good recommendation. I bought one of these about 6 months ago and I play it every day because it's sitting by my desk under the guitars on the wall. Grab a guitar, jam... haven't turned my tube amp on in a couple months. Weird, but true.
Getting a lot of comments about not covering the app features. Remember, I’m not a paid sponsored spokesperson for this amp so my goal is not to cover every feature hoping you’ll buy the thing. Instead I’m able to just show you what my impressions are from out of the box into playing it like I would any other amp. I’m personally not a huge app/amp guy since I mostly play on non-modeling amps, but I tried the app and it’s awesome, like I mentioned in the video. but it’s not why I would use this amp personally so I didn’t do a deep dive at this point. I’m more of a hardware guy and I really loved much of what I heard out of the box. So this video is a “my impression based on a realistic way I’d be using this amp” sort of video.
Honestly, fuck em. Having an amp where you're required to use another device to get everything out of it is just asking for half the features to not work eventually. Good to see this amp will still be useful even without a phone or if the app eventually gets pulled.
What I love most about Spark is when I want to learn a song, I search the cloud for the song. Someone has already figured out the amp settings for me. I just tap the setting for that song and away I go. No tinkering is needed. Save the setting to my library and it's always there. Awesome!
The risk would be that it would kill your invention, based on the search practise... Nowadays many are those who play well, write songs that stand together, have a good sound and so on, but none of them seem of genuine interest to me, in that they don't take it a step further, for those like us that were born to music with guys like Hendrix, C.S.N, Pink Floyd, The Who or King Crimson (and many more) that not only were breaking rules, but too made it like they were no rules at all (!) ☮😜... Getting one's own way, one's own sound is the key to Rock music (there's almost none on most conventional medias)...All the rest bores me quickly. But this amp seems to sound good and to offer a lot I agree...
I have one, it is legit fantastic. The tone out of that little amp is unreal. Also you have access to hundreds of pedal and rig setups through the cloud. Comes close to emulating pretty much any tone you hear on an album
I have played many gigs and venues in my life, had many Fender, Marshall, Peavey etc. Amps. This little amp is just amazing, wish I had this amp when I first started 30 years ago.
@@GreyGooseNWO The boss is pretty nice to. Go with the 100 of you go that route. The Katana 100 has some nice hardware features like line out and external effects loop. The software is not quite as user friendly as the Spark App but it is very robust. I don't know about the availability of tones for the Katana but I suspect they are growing by leaps and bounds. I think the Katana comes with a 12" speaker and the 100 watts makes it a bit more capable gigging machine. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Just understand what you are buying. Engineering is always a series of tradeoffs.
@@rjejames28 the boss 100 also has a power control knob so you can run it at half power. you can make even finer adjustments using the app so itd be fine for bedroom use too, in addition to sounding way better than the spark 40 imo
Nice, honest review. I'm a bedroom player and this is the only amp I'll ever need. Combine it with a wireless guitar system and I can take my tablet to control it and sit anywhere I like while I play. It also doubles as a vary capable Bluetooth speaker for when I just want to listen to tunes.
thanks..very helpful comment..pls tell me as im thinking of buying..how is the sound quality for just listening to music?..does it sound tinny or bassy? cheers
@@brownpunk1794 I'm borrowing my neighbor's and its a cool little amp. It sounds great. It's mind-blowing the huge, full sound that comes out of those little speakers. Yes, it's very bass heavy, but the bass knob does a great job wrangling it.
I've had mine for a year. A brilliant bedroom gig amp. Blue tooth can be a bit glitch prone at times but gets there eventually. Honestly, this amp is worth every penny/cent. Absolutely love it !
I have mine for a year or so, bought it because i was curious if it is really that cool. I am extremely satisfied with what I got for the money. The external power supply might seem lika a disadvantage, but it also offers you the opportunity to use a 19v powerbank, which makes the amp really portable. I attached my powerbank to the back side of the amp and it plays for hours!
Have had mine for over a year and totally love it. The amp is so versatile, it's perfect for my bedroom guitar playing. Also, I have to compliment Positive Grid's customer support. Mine started acting up recently and I had to contact them. After they couldn't fix it remotely, they replaced it with a new one.
Wishlist: I forgot to add to the wishlist, a simple foot pedal. I know their are some workarounds out there, but would be nice to have one available right out of the box or optional accessory without major hassles to make it work.
@@evanthorburn7454 The Airstep Spark Edition does the trick for me. I wondered why Positive Grid did not have one ready to go with the Spark. Xsonic stepped in and filled that void for me at least.
A good review, I’ve had one for about a year and find it a no brainier . To me it saves that “buy a million pedals “ to find a good tone trap that people like me fall into. A fantastic amp for a very reasonable price.
The small cable is a result of putting the power transformer outside of the amp. This allows the unit to be smaller, quieter and cheaper (since they can use a standard plug-in brick transformer made somewhere else and purchased in bulk). Given that this amp is unbelievably affordable and portable it's not hard to imagine this could not have been done without going with that cable/transformer setup. Hope this helps. Great video!
That may be partially true, but, the real reason is profit. All electrical devices must get UL underwriting before the company can bring to market. This includes everything, toasters, TVs, etc. So, if the company can get UL approval for the AC adapter, they can use the same adapter for multiple devices which mean they can get new products to market much sooner. Getting UL Labs approval takes a significant amount of time.
True and it's exactly the same thing. The transformer is either inside the amp box or outside but it's always there. All solid state amps, that I know of, run on low voltage not 120V / 240V. High voltage gets transformed to lower, 12V - 24V.
Probably the best review of this amp out there! Your honest and refusal to accept payment for your review is probably, ironically going to be great for their sales. I've been sitting on the fence on this one for a while, using my Fender Mustang GT100 for all my noodling. Like you, I thought a lot of it was hype and paid-for promotions, but you convinced me - purchased one today.
I have the same setup, a GT100 through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III, with a EVH Wolfgang Special, and it sounds decent. I just bought the Spark because I don't think the GT100 tones are that great. Just waiting for it to show up to see if it's any better.
I used my spark amp everyday. I love it. The only gripe is its bassy, so you have to turn that way down. It also sounds even better through good headphones. But, I love switching guitars and playing with different sounds from the sound cloud. The app makes the amp better. I just got the Jimi Hendrix pack.
I have one and I absolutely love it. Also recommend getting the airstep Spk edition footswitch. It’s a wireless pedal switcher. Makes the amp more versatile
Great review! So good to hear a real, honest opinion on it. I get sponsored ads pop up for it all the time. I really like that it has those different effects built in, seems real easy to use. Barracuda sounded amazing, the glassy tone sounded great and the metal tone was pretty impressive as well. Seems like a pretty decent complete package right off the bat, especially for someone that might not be able to afford additional pedals etc to get the effects the amp has.
I own this amp and there is a lot more for you to discover when you connect it to your Ipad/tablet and computer. Also the battery option, a you tuber bought a 19v laptop rechargeable power supply and Velcroed it to the back and it seemed to work a treat.
How many guitarists do you know of that are computer literate? You shouldn't have to connect anything to anything in order for it to work right. I never had to connect my Mashalls to some computer box in order to get massive crunch out of them.
You absolutely can use it as an amp processor with a 3.5mm to 1/4" cable out of the Headphones Jack right into your Amp Face or Sound Board! No tone loss and all functions are available,,,it's A AWESOME THING!!!
I added a battery (cell phone charging block) to the spark after watching a you tube video I ran across. The video told you what charging block to get. It was around $65. I took a chance and it works like a champ. The charging block even came with the correct cord you need to plug into the spark. So I slapped a piece of Velcro on the back of the spark and the cell block and went to park. It was great. The charge lasts for hours and hours of playing.
Piggybacking on this to make it louder. I added a battery pack to mine and it turned it from a practice amp that I don't use much to the amp I use the most. The battery works great, lasts forever, recharges other stuff if you need it to (apps and bluetooth can be battery hogs on the phone!) I even use this amp if I need a big bluetooth speaker! It made for a great summer.
Hi Mike. I have had my Spark for about 3 months. I 'play' almost 100% of the time through my Audio Technica headphones... out of sympathy for my neighbours. Very pleased with it and agree pretty much with what you said. For the Bluetooth ear buds I think you can use the iPad to set them in the Bluetooth prefs. I figured this by accident and it let me hear the app equipment plus the guitar through the headphones. If you use less fingertip and a bit nearer the nail to hold the preset buttons, then you can see the glow through the nail. The volume control for music level for headphones is a common complaint about its size. A match for the other knobs would have been more acceptable, albeit the 'skirt' might have needed a shave to allow for varied headphone jack sizes. The tuner is pretty accurate. I usually have my line in via a BOSS TU-3 and the Spark matches it well. I too went straight for the Glassy choice. I am still exploring things like the Tone Match etc. but pleased with it as a home practice amp.
Really great to see a review that covers the amp itself and just barely touches on the app (looking forward to a follow-up on the app though). With the possibility of apps being discontinued (Fender Fuse for example), it's good to know whether the amp stands up well on its own and it sounds like it does. Thanks for the Brutally Honest Reviews series - love 'em all!
My Spark 40 arrived yesterday, and the first thing I noticed obviously was the size. NGL I was a little worried I got an inferior product, or that I couldn't gig with it, it wasn't going to get me the distortion I'm seeking (massive Metallica fan) but for anyone apprehensive about the power/size/output let me tell you looks can be deceiving. This little dude packs a serious punch, and you could easily play an intimate gathering with absolutely no audible issues. Best amp I've ever used, honestly.
I pulled the trigger and picked this up after reading up on it and watching a few reviews. This review sold me because you are honest and not paid for. I have a lot of amps, cabs, heads, peals, etc...but I am at the point where, when I'm not at band practice I just want to sit in my living room, bedroom, kitchen...wherever and just practice with literally everything I need right there. I've wasted more $$$ buying pedals I don't use but hopefully this gets used a lot. Thanks!
I freaking love my Spark. And I got mine when they were $139. In a lot of ways it's the best Amp I've ever owned. Unfortunately it's not quite loud enough to practice with drums, but you can rig it as a Head. It's not a gigging Amp obviously. But especially for the price, it's the best little lunch box bedroom Amp I've ever owned. It's got amazing tone. Again, especially for the price. Now they're like $250, but still a great price.
Nice review. I have had mine for about a year or so. I like that you can use their app to find a mix of amp and effects sounds and then save it as a preset. I almost wish they have more preset options. The one I received did not have a grounded plug and there was an occasional hum. I contacted Positive Grid and they sent me a replacement plug with a ground at no cost and no more hum issues. A bit surprised the original only had the non-grounded 2-prong plug to begin with. Finally, my only issue is really that there is no dedicated out jack so you can hook into a sound board if you want (as you mentioned) or run it to a pedal like a looper before it goes to the speaker system that lets you use loop with the effects. Some people have used the headphone jack to jury rig an out although using the headphone jack will, of course, disconnect the speakers. Thanks for your review.
I own the Spark 40, and I love it. I also HATE the mini toggle/power switch. Designed to break, rendering the amp useless. I have it plugged into a mini power strip, and use that to turn on the 40, and never using the toggle switch.
I just gotta add after finishing your whole review, I felt the same way. This amp would have been life changing to me as a young padawan. You kids today are spoiled!
it was between the katana and the PG spark a while back when i was looking for something like this a while back. for REAL the reason i went w the katana is the AC cable
100% agree with every comment. As you said, this is almost like a Bose sound system - 4" speakers providing full-range, room-filling sound. And my guess is that, like Bose, the Spark is tuned to work specifically with its speakers - a speaker out jack would require a separate, uncolored power amp circuit. Thank you for pointing out the wimpy power switch and power cord. Both give a bad first impression of the product. One final note: Do NOT place this amp on the floor unless you're listening from across the room. I started with it on the floor and was ready to return it, the sound was pure mud. Then I realized only my ankles were hearing the mids and highs - those 4" speakers are pretty directional. I set the Spark on top of the practice combo amp I'd been using and have been impressed with the tone ever since.
I think I'm gonna get one... I already have BIAS on my laptop... I've been using a Fender Mustang V2 for a couple years, and it was great, but I've gotten so used to all the presets I'm ready for something new. Great review, thanks.
Nice amp for the bedroom but no way can it replace my old Peavey Valve King. Once dialed in, I don’t touch it again. I dial in tones with guitar and pedals.❤
I just wanted to tell you how I use my Spark. I use a stereo cable from the headphone jack to a Behringer mixer. That is powered by a 200 watt stereo amp and is driving a 4 x 12 “ Celestron cab in stereo. The sound is fantastic.
Good review. I have had mine for a year and half and love it. I do small gigs with my family and friends and it works very well. If you need a foot switch, one is now available from a 3rd party supplier. There are even plans to build your own if you want to. Here are a couple of comments about your review. The buttons to change settings takes no more than 2-3 seconds...I don't even have to look at the lighted button to see when it stops flashing, just hold about 3 seconds and let go and it is set. You can add a 19VDC battery power supply...I have not yet, but other owners have. It just plugs in. THAT is the best reason to have a separate power supply. If it had built in AC, you could not do that (except maybe with a DC to AC inverter). Because of this amp, I now play more than ever...it is so much fun! The one problem I did have was a real bad AC noise in some homes, so I contacted PG and within a few days, I had a new grounded 3 prong power supply and now it is very quiet no matter where I play. A few months back, I recommended you to my novice brother to be his guitar teacher and he signed up and likes your lessons and is doing well. Also, he has a new Spark and it came with the new power supply. Edit: I also don't see a problem with the microswitch. If it is a good quality one such as Switchcraft....it will last a really long time and would be easy to replace. I like it better than the rocker switch on some of my equipment including an 80 watt amp.
i have the spark amp I’ve had since 2020 i love this little amp it’s great for practice i use it for practicing scales with the backing tracks which i love to do i also want to get the mini and the go too just to have all 3 it’s one of the best little practice amps around thank you for the review
The spark mini has blue tooth and rechargeable internal battery. It’s a great little camping, road travel amp. Yes, it doesn’t have all the feature or the power this one does, but with the app it’s limitless. I use my mini all the time at home. Very portable.
Hey .. for this kind of amp, the 'skinny' power cable is great.. why so; because it means the transform to low voltage DC is done outside the amp itself... And so why is such good; because it means the amp can run from rechargeable li-ion battery pack/s for going out and busking with in the open out doors. Perfect application for an amp of this portability and size!
I agree 100% Mark. That’s why I love my Spark 40 amp so much. I normally use my 19v battery bank whether in the house near power or outside at the campfire. It’s just so convenient and it lasts for many hours.
My Spark plugs into the back l STRONGLY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE CORD . Great skills you have. Sounds great’ thank you’ I can definitely learn more this video. 🎸👍
Great run down. I'm one of those players that was initially skeptical, but was won over...even way past just home/bedroom use. Three of us in my band own the Spark. GREAT home practice amp without a doubt...but the two other (rhythm) guitarists use it as their stage amp. Headphone out into two channels on the FOH, monitored through their in-ear mix. I have mine set up in a "kit" as a backup in case my Headrush craps out on a gig. I have the Spark, an aftermarket footswitch that allows me to select between my 4 on-amp presets, as well as toggle individual effects in and out...an EB VPJr, and appropriate cords all packed up in a nylon carry bag. Haven't needed it, but I'm confident I could easily get through the gig with it. Since we're all in-ear, stage volume isn't an issue. I think this amp is really versatile...well worth it IMO.
I love mine! I started out in 1987 with a little crate 10 &, if I could’ve had one of these, I would’ve been in heaven! I also wish it had a dedicated out! Maybe someday.
I use my spark 40 more than any amp I own for its versatility and more than ample sound. It even works for light duty gigs. I can’t leave it alone. I’ll be getting a mini soon and see how they sound together.
I'm really glad that you reviewed this. For one reason I bought one. And I'm glad to have your opinion on it. For another reason, I like your style and am truly a beginner wanting to check out the Art of Guitar lessons. So its nice for me to see that my own interests are coming together, that I'm on the right track. Keep up the great work
I just randomly bought a Spark MIni at Guitar Center when I was looking for a little amp to use when my GF is driving. Then I found it was made by Positive Grid and had the app. About 11 days later( 2 days ago) I went back and found a used Spark 40 with a damaged input jack and missing power supply for less than I paid for the Mini.
I like that you reviewed the product as is without the app. This is what it will be like in 10-20 years when the app could be discontinued or maybe doesn't support the Spark anymore.
Good review. Thanks. I ordered one based on your, Darrell Braun and Phil McKnight's opinion's of it. I trust that the three of you aren't shills for the product. I would like to see a long term review though. 19:10 They really wouldn't need a more power to run this to a 1x12, 2x12 or even 4x12 cabinet. The Orange Micro Terror or the Joyo BanTamP amps at 20 watts do great on larger cabinets. I run a 50 watt Katana into 2 1x12 cabinets. I may add a speaker out when the warranty is over. 20:20 Headphones, you can add a Bluetooth transmitter to the 3.5mm headphone jack. I can see why they didn't do it though. The latency really depends a lot on your earbuds. Cheap earbuds are going to have a lot of latency between the time you hit the string and you hear it. 🙂
Kinda late on this... One thing I found out, when using the amp without the app (the way I often use it): there are multiple reverb, delay, etc... pedals in the app. If you use it without the app, the knobs on the amp control the effects that are used on which ever preset you are using. Changing the amp knob will change the amp used in the preset, but all the other effects on that preset stay the same, and those are controlled by the appropriate knobs. But the four presets use different effects, so one may use a plate reverb, the second a spring reverb, the third a room or hall type reverb, etc... Same with delay and other effects, some of which may be selected, but turned off for that preset, turning the appropriate knob will affect the effect that is used on that preset. Without using the app, you will not know which particular effect (ie which delay, reverb, etc...) is being used, but you can control it from the amp. IE you could use the 4th preset (high gain, heavy metal sound), then switch the amp switch to a clean amp, but keep and control all the original effects in that preset from the amp. Probably the best bet is to set up the presets using the app to get the effects/amp combos you like, then you can control those effects (somewhat) without using the app, just the knobs on the amp, and switch amp types while keeping the effects the same. If you dont set the presets yourself, you a using whatever version of the effects are preselected for that selection even if you change amps.
I get what you are doing here, and it’s great. You treated this Spark like it’s the same as any practice amp. I like that review. I hope you got the app and used it, because you confirm the modeling makes this unlimited. The AI on the app allows so much! You can jam something, and it builds a band with a groove you set around it. So wild! If you can download any music and the app learns the music and shows you the chords, and often, the tones used by the recording. The hype is real.
The "Big Thick AC Cable" is an IEC C13 Cable typically rated for 10A. You can thank the European Union for that rugged solid feeling electrical connection. The smaller one is a "2.1 x 5.5mm Tip Positive Plug" I believe based on the 19VDC 2.5A Rating to the rear of the amp. Quite a mouthful and clearly not from the IEC.
I play a twin at gigs -- I am wondering if you would put a SM57 and mic this amp for live gigs ... Let the PA do the work and skip the 100Lbs Amp . Thoughts?
So a trick you can use to turn the Spark into an amp head. Get a 1/4 to 3.5mm male to male cable. Run that from the headphone out to an amp pedal. Run the amp pedal into your cabinet.
Fast forward 2 years... the SPARK Cab is released, has a full on 120V three prong plug in and an output to power the 40, mini, and Go, plus USB devices. That's thinking ahead.
The Spark 40 is the best practice amp since the discovery of electricity. I use mine at least 2 hrs every day, usually with backing tracks and headphones. My only improvement would be to have the app use sliders rather than dials, which are awkward.
It's cool but i prefer the boss katana 50. Same price range and features (no bluetooth and must be plugged into computer to edit tones, other than that it's similar), but a 12" speaker and 50 watts. But if you were looking for a speaker but also want an amp, i think it's a great value.
Re Battery power: you can buy a USB adaptor cable for the skinny socket with correct voltage, plug it into a Li-ion power bank, duct tape to the back of the amp et voila you have a battery-enabled amp. I did this with my Roland Micro Cube, it's fully portable and the power bank holds enough charge for weeks on end between recharges.
Mine was defective upon arrival and took over a month to get sorted out. Customer support was friendly enough. After the unit was repaired, it worked mostly as is should, but I still had intermittent connectivity issues with either the iPad or Android connection when changing sound tones. It would lock up and I'd have to reboot everything. Other than that, it sounded pretty sweet, was very easy to use with just the physical control knobs and eventually found 4 favs and stored them. After that I never used the apps again. I gave it away to another fellow guitarist-in-need and is still happily chugging along. For the price, you can't really go wrong with these, but I prefer the Yamaha THR amps overall.
I also would prefer a better AC input cable even if this is mainly for home use. It would be nice to have a floor controller to switch channels. Also being able to connect to record with would be a great feature. Connecting to earbuds would be nice, give you more freedom to stand somewhere else in the room area plus using a mic in another room to be able to hesr though monitors. But as a practice amp this seems like a great value, especially with the different amp tones along with the multiple effects you get plus you can choose and share tones. Make a card with tones and settings. I could see them keeping this but making another model with upgrades. Some that you have mentioned plus a few others. I don't think you would have to add more power if connecting to another cab. I have a small little cigarette box that has a very little speaker and input and output and when plugged into a cab it is louder. It's not to the point of doing gigs but you can use it for a varied sound for recording, kind of like using a pig nose in the studio. A stand would be a good idea. I've already thought of away to make one myself and install. I didn't hear what the price on one of these. And are they available at music stores now. I feel that if I wait within a year they will bring out another model. It seems to happen to me everytime I purchase something. I bought the second line 6 and then they came out with other models . I bought the pod and with in no time a better one came out. I wished I stayed with my floor pedals and kept some of my other amps. But came into hard times and had to sell them. Haven't been able to replace my vintage 57 Start which sounded great or my SG with P90's, Gibson Custom , blk with gold hardware and Ivory. Original Jaguar, or the nocaster tele which were all stolen from me years ago. This little amp sounds like a perfect place to put near my mixer and work station. I have a degree in electronics, I probably could look inside and figure away to install a better switch, maybe a few other ideas. It will void the warranty but it's worth trying.
The reason for the power brick is for worldwide compliance of power. In-built AC/DC power converter is more complicated to certify for electrical standards in different countries. Here only the power brick needs to comply.
Cool -- great review. I have the Mini which does use a battery. Also it was Dave Davies of the Kinks who (allegedly) cut his speaker with a razor blade.
Just bought the mini version. Its puerly awesome, and tiny. I love how it is charged via USB so I could bring it home to Norway. They don't sell them here yet.
Man i've been trying to decide if I should cop the money but this review definitely consolidated my view. I really want this. I like how this is a very honest out of the box type of journey. Imma order mine nowwwwww XD
LOL.... The delay repeats matched your tap in a specific pattern... check the settings to see if you are set for quarter note, either note.... the Spark can be set that way as well.
The software for the phone/ipad interface can be a little glitchy at times, but I still love this thing. Being able to jam along with songs, slow them down to learn them. Finding the exact right tone in the tone cloud takes a lot of the frustration out of twiddling virtual knobs. There are lots of classic song tracks with the lead guitar digitally removed, so you can BE SRV or Jimmy Page. The Jam Tracks are helpful for practicing, but sometimes the chord and bass progressions are off or just plain wrong. I've had this thing for over a year, and still finding new stuff to do with it. I just ordered a Mini for travel.
I just got mine yesterday. The white one. Lemme tellya, pics don't do it justice. But it's like a double edged sword. Looks great, but in a house with 10 cats, I worry about claw marks, pee, general filth...so your idea of a stand hole in the bottom would really be great. I have a contention about labeling though and that is, to me glassy describes the strat in between tone, and crunch should be more well, crunchy. It sounded a bit transistor radio-ish, and not like a sound I would use, so that would something for them to work on. It could be better. But as a 69 year old former NYC pro and former guitar store owner, one who is completely baffled by the electronic capabilities of today, I'm completely bowled over by its overwhelmingly versatile nature, coupled with it's simplicity of operation. I can't wait to get into it. I have a Katana which is OK, but the katana will be gathering dust now. Good vid! I subscribed.
I've had my eye on one of these and after doing some research I found that almost everyone prefers the tone of the mini version as opposed to the 40 shown here. It's only $20 cheaper and massively smaller in size, which is a bit confusing as you'd think the much smaller speakers and components would almost certainly result in some net losses in tone and power. I read that the main complaint with the 40 vs the mini is the need for an EQ to get the tone sounding perfect. I am so torn as to what to do! The battery powered option of the mini is cool, but conversely that's one more wearable component that could eventually go bad and possibly make the whole amp useless. I need to watch some review vids on the mini vs the 40 now.
Thanks for the review , im a new player that is picking up a guitar for the first time in 30years so value an honest video . Did you ever do one with the iPad app to show the extended features ?
Thank you for this! It sounds like a good amp for a beginner which I am and a money saver. I don't want to invest in more equipment until I can actually play something. The amp I initially bought is probably an okay amp, I just don't know how to use it and to get the sounds I want would require added equipment which has kind of killed my desire to play. I am hoping the Spark helps me achieve the sound I want and makes learning fun again. I ordered one before seeing this review it will arrive in a week or so. At which point I should sign up for your lessons, I hope to see you out playing again soon. It was very fun to see you play with the Heart tribute band, Heartless this past Summer.
Just got one and unsure whether to keep. (I already have a small amp and looper pedal) There is inherently too much bass and low end - on all presets. I also like to use the neck pickup which is softer/lower sound. Yes it can be rectified by using the EQ pedal (that's if another pedal isn't in use in that range already). Also I found the noise gate needs constant tweaking, if you want to play softly the sound is just cut off. So every pre-set you have to go through this process, load it in check the lowend, check for cut outs make adjustments. The smart jam is ok. - you get a short period to record (you won't get a 12 bar blues in the time allowed) and it comes up with something. I guess my looper pedal beats this. Yeh there's some cool sounds - but for me its not a case of select sounds and away you go. Also using the hardware presets - heres how it works. You select 1 preset on the amp say Clean, adjust to volume you want, change to another preset say Glass and the volume is way different - you need to re-twiddle the Master volume knob for it to notice the level you had set it. Which I think sucks. I'll persevere and see if its worth the 250 sheets.
Great review! The cheap power cable may be your best friend on hooking it up to a battery source. With a reverse polarity barrel plug cable (cheap), you can connect it to a USB source as in a power block and/or Jackery style battery 👍🏽 I do this occasionally with my Boss Katana Air ~ btw I believe it was Link Ray, the guitarist who wrote/performed the song “Rumble”, whom was one of the pioneers to razor cut the amp speakers for distortion.
Oh yeah you also left out that it’s allows for Bluetooth connectivity on top the phone connection to the amp. It allows to play backing tracks from your phone into the amp and it also double the amp as a Bluetooth speaker. Stacking the two connections allows you to keep playing the guitar while music is playing via Bluetooth from another device. The usb connection is one of the cleanest recording signals I’ve heard too, I honestly prefer that they used usb-b instead of analog or standard output. Mine also came with a DAW called StudioOne
So the problem with wireless ear buds will be the lag with bluetooth. It will be pretty noticeable even with the latest version of bluetooth. A good answer would be investing in wifi headphones with a mixamp like steelseries arctix pro wireless. I have a 3.5mm cable that I can use with an amp heaphones out or a usb audio interface that connects to the mix amp. Then the mixamp sends the amp signal to my headphones through wifi. With wifi there is no noticeable lag, and they have a prebuilt eq and surround sound option.
It says “paid promotion” in the beginning because some people think getting to potentially keep the product (even if it’s a pick) counts as getting “paid.” You see why I rarely do product videos? Such a headache.
That's absolutely normal. TH-cam usually removes my comments for no reason at all:)
Makes total sense why you shy away from these - because you are a sincere guy who intends to tell it like it is regardless of how you came across the product being displayed. Keep up your excellent vids!
If they give you something then it might influence your opinions. That's why I think the disclosures are a good thing. I am here for the demonstration any way. Your explanation at the beginning shows you are trying to keep your integrity.
Looks like you should have just accepted more money to be honest... next time take the money and say... "if I feel like saying it's not good, I'm going to say it." We will take your word on it. That's why we are all here.
On the bright side it's a good recommendation. I bought one of these about 6 months ago and I play it every day because it's sitting by my desk under the guitars on the wall. Grab a guitar, jam... haven't turned my tube amp on in a couple months. Weird, but true.
Getting a lot of comments about not covering the app features. Remember, I’m not a paid sponsored spokesperson for this amp so my goal is not to cover every feature hoping you’ll buy the thing. Instead I’m able to just show you what my impressions are from out of the box into playing it like I would any other amp. I’m personally not a huge app/amp guy since I mostly play on non-modeling amps, but I tried the app and it’s awesome, like I mentioned in the video. but it’s not why I would use this amp personally so I didn’t do a deep dive at this point. I’m more of a hardware guy and I really loved much of what I heard out of the box. So this video is a “my impression based on a realistic way I’d be using this amp” sort of video.
You can’t really dial in tones without the app. The knobs work ok but the app opens up the world.
As a standalone amplifier without a a tablet or phone it's a pretty neat amp. Pair it up and it's pretty amazing.
Great review, honestly i think a lot of ppl dont want to fiddle around with an app, makes sense im the same way. Keep up the quality content!
You said you got the amp for free. That is equivalent to being paid for the review.
Honestly, fuck em. Having an amp where you're required to use another device to get everything out of it is just asking for half the features to not work eventually. Good to see this amp will still be useful even without a phone or if the app eventually gets pulled.
What I love most about Spark is when I want to learn a song, I search the cloud for the song. Someone has already figured out the amp settings for me. I just tap the setting for that song and away I go. No tinkering is needed. Save the setting to my library and it's always there. Awesome!
The risk would be that it would kill your invention, based on the search practise... Nowadays many are those who play well, write songs that stand together, have a good sound and so on, but none of them seem of genuine interest to me, in that they don't take it a step further, for those like us that were born to music with guys like Hendrix, C.S.N, Pink Floyd, The Who or King Crimson (and many more) that not only were breaking rules, but too made it like they were no rules at all (!) ☮😜... Getting one's own way, one's own sound is the key to Rock music (there's almost none on most conventional medias)...All the rest bores me quickly. But this amp seems to sound good and to offer a lot I agree...
thats why you will never improve
@@Jadar... nothing you said has anything to do with the amp
@@Jadar... Are you writing your thesis?
But can u do that on an android smartphone?
I have one, it is legit fantastic. The tone out of that little amp is unreal. Also you have access to hundreds of pedal and rig setups through the cloud. Comes close to emulating pretty much any tone you hear on an album
I have played many gigs and venues in my life, had many Fender, Marshall, Peavey etc. Amps. This little amp is just amazing, wish I had this amp when I first started 30 years ago.
So you recommend this amp instead of buying something like a masrshall code 50 or boss katana ?
@@GreyGooseNWO The boss is pretty nice to. Go with the 100 of you go that route. The Katana 100 has some nice hardware features like line out and external effects loop. The software is not quite as user friendly as the Spark App but it is very robust. I don't know about the availability of tones for the Katana but I suspect they are growing by leaps and bounds. I think the Katana comes with a 12" speaker and the 100 watts makes it a bit more capable gigging machine. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Just understand what you are buying. Engineering is always a series of tradeoffs.
@@GreyGooseNWOor the Yamaha
@@tommaxwell429I think this is more for practice in a back bedroom isn't it, not the same for the boss 100 watt right.
@@rjejames28 the boss 100 also has a power control knob so you can run it at half power. you can make even finer adjustments using the app so itd be fine for bedroom use too, in addition to sounding way better than the spark 40 imo
Nice, honest review. I'm a bedroom player and this is the only amp I'll ever need. Combine it with a wireless guitar system and I can take my tablet to control it and sit anywhere I like while I play. It also doubles as a vary capable Bluetooth speaker for when I just want to listen to tunes.
thanks..very helpful comment..pls tell me as im thinking of buying..how is the sound quality for just listening to music?..does it sound tinny or bassy?
cheers
@@brownpunk1794 I'm borrowing my neighbor's and its a cool little amp. It sounds great. It's mind-blowing the huge, full sound that comes out of those little speakers. Yes, it's very bass heavy, but the bass knob does a great job wrangling it.
I've had mine for a year. A brilliant bedroom gig amp. Blue tooth can be a bit glitch prone at times but gets there eventually. Honestly, this amp is worth every penny/cent. Absolutely love it !
Do you still like it ?
@@mal7913 does he still like it ...?
@@BLUESKY-zt1nvDoes he still like it...?
Does he still like it ....?
I have mine for a year or so, bought it because i was curious if it is really that cool. I am extremely satisfied with what I got for the money. The external power supply might seem lika a disadvantage, but it also offers you the opportunity to use a 19v powerbank, which makes the amp really portable. I attached my powerbank to the back side of the amp and it plays for hours!
Have had mine for over a year and totally love it. The amp is so versatile, it's perfect for my bedroom guitar playing. Also, I have to compliment Positive Grid's customer support. Mine started acting up recently and I had to contact them. After they couldn't fix it remotely, they replaced it with a new one.
Wishlist: I forgot to add to the wishlist, a simple foot pedal. I know their are some workarounds out there, but would be nice to have one available right out of the box or optional accessory without major hassles to make it work.
That's awesome man! I miss support like this! It's a sign of modern success!
@@creamwobbly Looks like an official footswitch is coming soon.
@@evanthorburn7454 The Airstep Spark Edition does the trick for me. I wondered why Positive Grid did not have one ready to go with the Spark. Xsonic stepped in and filled that void for me at least.
@@evanthorburn7454 wth is a footswitch
A good review, I’ve had one for about a year and find it a no brainier . To me it saves that “buy a million pedals “ to find a good tone trap that people like me fall into. A fantastic amp for a very reasonable price.
Yup I agree and also intakes practice just more fun and anything that does that is a good thing! I play so much more since I bought this amp.
Are you just using the software that came with it or did you upgrade to the Bias Amp software?
The small cable is a result of putting the power transformer outside of the amp. This allows the unit to be smaller, quieter and cheaper (since they can use a standard plug-in brick transformer made somewhere else and purchased in bulk). Given that this amp is unbelievably affordable and portable it's not hard to imagine this could not have been done without going with that cable/transformer setup. Hope this helps. Great video!
It likely cuts a lot, if not all the hum that we often hear when the transformer is in the main enclosure. Just a guess.
That may be partially true, but, the real reason is profit. All electrical devices must get UL underwriting before the company can bring to market. This includes everything, toasters, TVs, etc. So, if the company can get UL approval for the AC adapter, they can use the same adapter for multiple devices which mean they can get new products to market much sooner. Getting UL Labs approval takes a significant amount of time.
True and it's exactly the same thing. The transformer is either inside the amp box or outside but it's always there. All solid state amps, that I know of, run on low voltage not 120V / 240V. High voltage gets transformed to lower, 12V - 24V.
You know your stuff.
use gaffer tape /// it's why they invented it
Probably the best review of this amp out there! Your honest and refusal to accept payment for your review is probably, ironically going to be great for their sales. I've been sitting on the fence on this one for a while, using my Fender Mustang GT100 for all my noodling. Like you, I thought a lot of it was hype and paid-for promotions, but you convinced me - purchased one today.
I have the same setup, a GT100 through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III, with a EVH Wolfgang Special, and it sounds decent. I just bought the Spark because I don't think the GT100 tones are that great. Just waiting for it to show up to see if it's any better.
I used my spark amp everyday. I love it. The only gripe is its bassy, so you have to turn that way down. It also sounds even better through good headphones. But, I love switching guitars and playing with different sounds from the sound cloud. The app makes the amp better. I just got the Jimi Hendrix pack.
Plug the port
You can also use the EQ pedal from the update to take out some of the bass on the app.
@@michaelv151 still can't find it...updated...dumbles there etc but can't find it...
I love the BASS it puts out! Awesome for a small amp.
I have one and I absolutely love it. Also recommend getting the airstep Spk edition footswitch. It’s a wireless pedal switcher. Makes the amp more versatile
The spark became an integral part of my setup. I run the stereo output into a powered 4x12 marshal cab and the sound is pretty incredible...
the head phone output?
@@yoyoyuyu234476Yeah...all he needs is a "line in" signal into a powered cab/amp. Bingo! Instant neighbor problems....
Thanks!
Great review! So good to hear a real, honest opinion on it. I get sponsored ads pop up for it all the time. I really like that it has those different effects built in, seems real easy to use.
Barracuda sounded amazing, the glassy tone sounded great and the metal tone was pretty impressive as well.
Seems like a pretty decent complete package right off the bat, especially for someone that might not be able to afford additional pedals etc to get the effects the amp has.
I own this amp and there is a lot more for you to discover when you connect it to your Ipad/tablet and computer. Also the battery option, a you tuber bought a 19v laptop rechargeable power supply and Velcroed it to the back and it seemed to work a treat.
How many guitarists do you know of that are computer literate? You shouldn't have to connect anything to anything in order for it to work right. I never had to connect my Mashalls to some computer box in order to get massive crunch out of them.
@@bobdobbs7828 Noone cares old timer. That aren't even the same thing, there is still a place for tube amps, and it's not the bedroom
@@bobdobbs7828 how many batteries did your Marshall use?
@@bobdobbs7828sure buy a Marshall, then boost it. Then pedal it to death. What is this the 1960s
You absolutely can use it as an amp processor with a 3.5mm to 1/4" cable out of the Headphones Jack right into your Amp Face or Sound Board! No tone loss and all functions are available,,,it's A AWESOME THING!!!
That's what I thought. Definitely going to try that, thanks.
I added a battery (cell phone charging block) to the spark after watching a you tube video I ran across. The video told you what charging block to get. It was around $65. I took a chance and it works like a champ. The charging block even came with the correct cord you need to plug into the spark. So I slapped a piece of Velcro on the back of the spark and the cell block and went to park. It was great. The charge lasts for hours and hours of playing.
Battery pack video. th-cam.com/video/tahXivyDiDQ/w-d-xo.html
Piggybacking on this to make it louder. I added a battery pack to mine and it turned it from a practice amp that I don't use much to the amp I use the most.
The battery works great, lasts forever, recharges other stuff if you need it to (apps and bluetooth can be battery hogs on the phone!)
I even use this amp if I need a big bluetooth speaker! It made for a great summer.
Hi Mike. I have had my Spark for about 3 months. I 'play' almost 100% of the time through my Audio Technica headphones... out of sympathy for my neighbours. Very pleased with it and agree pretty much with what you said.
For the Bluetooth ear buds I think you can use the iPad to set them in the Bluetooth prefs. I figured this by accident and it let me hear the app equipment plus the guitar through the headphones.
If you use less fingertip and a bit nearer the nail to hold the preset buttons, then you can see the glow through the nail.
The volume control for music level for headphones is a common complaint about its size. A match for the other knobs would have been more acceptable, albeit the 'skirt' might have needed a shave to allow for varied headphone jack sizes.
The tuner is pretty accurate. I usually have my line in via a BOSS TU-3 and the Spark matches it well.
I too went straight for the Glassy choice. I am still exploring things like the Tone Match etc. but pleased with it as a home practice amp.
Really great to see a review that covers the amp itself and just barely touches on the app (looking forward to a follow-up on the app though). With the possibility of apps being discontinued (Fender Fuse for example), it's good to know whether the amp stands up well on its own and it sounds like it does. Thanks for the Brutally Honest Reviews series - love 'em all!
I think Positive Grid is well known for their modeling of all the gear. It’s unlikely the app ever goes away.
My Spark 40 arrived yesterday, and the first thing I noticed obviously was the size. NGL I was a little worried I got an inferior product, or that I couldn't gig with it, it wasn't going to get me the distortion I'm seeking (massive Metallica fan) but for anyone apprehensive about the power/size/output let me tell you looks can be deceiving. This little dude packs a serious punch, and you could easily play an intimate gathering with absolutely no audible issues. Best amp I've ever used, honestly.
Makes one wonder why to spend all that money on a tube amp these days 😂
I pulled the trigger and picked this up after reading up on it and watching a few reviews. This review sold me because you are honest and not paid for. I have a lot of amps, cabs, heads, peals, etc...but I am at the point where, when I'm not at band practice I just want to sit in my living room, bedroom, kitchen...wherever and just practice with literally everything I need right there. I've wasted more $$$ buying pedals I don't use but hopefully this gets used a lot. Thanks!
I freaking love my Spark. And I got mine when they were $139. In a lot of ways it's the best Amp I've ever owned. Unfortunately it's not quite loud enough to practice with drums, but you can rig it as a Head. It's not a gigging Amp obviously. But especially for the price, it's the best little lunch box bedroom Amp I've ever owned. It's got amazing tone. Again, especially for the price. Now they're like $250, but still a great price.
Nice review. I have had mine for about a year or so. I like that you can use their app to find a mix of amp and effects sounds and then save it as a preset. I almost wish they have more preset options. The one I received did not have a grounded plug and there was an occasional hum. I contacted Positive Grid and they sent me a replacement plug with a ground at no cost and no more hum issues. A bit surprised the original only had the non-grounded 2-prong plug to begin with. Finally, my only issue is really that there is no dedicated out jack so you can hook into a sound board if you want (as you mentioned) or run it to a pedal like a looper before it goes to the speaker system that lets you use loop with the effects. Some people have used the headphone jack to jury rig an out although using the headphone jack will, of course, disconnect the speakers. Thanks for your review.
I own the Spark 40, and I love it. I also HATE the mini toggle/power switch. Designed to break, rendering the amp useless. I have it plugged into a mini power strip, and use that to turn on the 40, and never using the toggle switch.
I’ve had mine for about 6 months. Best practice amp ever. It even has some great bass tones.
I just gotta add after finishing your whole review, I felt the same way. This amp would have been life changing to me as a young padawan. You kids today are spoiled!
Here are the digital amps/pedals by SPARK and what they emulate - enjoy!
Clean Amps
01 Silver 120 - Roland Jazz Chorus 120
02 Black Duo - Fender Twin Reverb
03 AD Clean - Orange AD 30
04 Match DC - Matchless DC30
05 ODS 50 - Dumble ODS 50 HRM
06 J.H. D-Show Master - Fender Dual Showman
07 J.H. Sun 100S - Sunn 100S
08 Blues Boy - Fender Blues Junior
Glassy Amps
09 Tweed Bass - Fender Bassman
10 AC Boost - Vox AC30
11 Checkmate - Teisco Checkmate 20
12 Two Stone SP50 - Two Rock Studio Pro 50
13 J.H. 45/100 - Marshall JTM45/100
14 J.H. Bass Master - Fender 1968 Bassman 50
Crunchy Amps
15 American Deluxe - Fender ’57 Custom Deluxe
16 Plexiglas - Marshall Super Lead 100
17 JM45 - Marshall JTM45
18 Lux Verb - Fender Deluxe Reverb
19 J.H. Super 100 - Marshall Super Lead 100
20 J.H. Tone City 100 - Sound City One Hundred
High Gain Amps
21 RB 101 - Bogner Ecstasy 101
22 British 30 - Orange AD30
23 American High Gain - Mesa Boogie JP-2C
24 SLO 100 - Soldano SLO-100
25 YJM100 - Marshall Yngwie J. Malmsteen YJM100 Signature
Metal Amps
26 Treadplate - Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
27 Insane - EVH 5150 III
28 insane 6508 - Peavey 6505
29 Switchaxe - Hughes & Kettner Switchblade
30 Rocker V - Orange Rockerverb 50
31 BE 101 - Friedman Brown Eye 100
Acoustic Amps
32 Pure Acoustic - a Positive Grid original
33 Fishboy - Fishman Acoustic Amp (Loudmouth 60 Watts?)
34 Jumbo - a Positive Grid original
35 Flat Acoustic - a Positive Grid original
Bass Amps
36 RB-800 - Gallien-Krueger 800RB
37 Sunny 3000 - Sunn 300T
38 W600 - Eden WTP600
39 Hammer 500 - Aguilar Tone Hammer 500
Comp/Wah
01 LA Comp - Teletronix LA-2A Compressor
02 Sustain Comp - Boss CS-3
03 Red Comp - MXR Dyna Comp
04 Bass Comp - EBS Multicomp
05 Optical Comp - BBE Opto Stomp
06 J.H. Legendary Wah - Vox 846 wah-wah pedal
Drive
01 Booster - MXR Micro Amp
02 Clone Drive - ?
03 Tube Drive - Ibanez Tube Screamer
04 Over Drive - Boss OD-3
05 J.H. Axle Fuzz - Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz
06 J.H. Super Fuzz - Marshall Supa Fuzz
07 J.H. Octave Fuzz - Roger Mayer Octavia
08 J.H. Fuzz Zone - Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone
09 Fuzz Face - Dunlop or Arbiter Fuzz Face
10 Black Op - Pro Co RAT
11 Bass Muff - Electro Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi
12 Guitar Muff - Electro Harmonix Big Muff
13 Bassmaster - Maestro Bass Brassmaster
14 SAB Driver - Wampler Plexi-Drive / Fulltone OCD Overdrive
Mod
01 Tremolo - Mad Professor Mellow Yellow
02 Chorus- Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
03 Flanger - Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress
04 Phaser - MXR M-107 Phase 100
05 Vibrato - BBE Mind Bender (vibrato switch only)
06 UniVibe - MJM Guitar FX Sixties Vibe Classic / Shi-Nei Uni-vibe
07 J.H. Legendary Vibe - Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe Junior
08 Cloner Chorus - Electro Harmonix Small Clone
09 Classic Vibe - Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe
10 Tremolator - Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator
11 Tremolo Square - TC Electronic Pipelilne
12 Guitar EQ (6-band)
13 Bass EQ (6-band)
Delay
01 Digital Delay - Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
02 Echo Filt - Marshall EH-1?
03 Vintage Delay - Boss DM-3?
04 Reverse Delay - a Positive Grid original (feels like EarthQuaker Avalanche Run)
05 Multi Head - Boss RE-20 / Roland RE-201 Space Echo?
06 Echo Tape - Maestro Echoplex EP-2 Tape Delay
Reverb
01 Room Studio A
02 Chamber
03 Hall Natural
04 Plate Short
05 Hall Ambient
06 Plate Rich - EMT 140 Plate Reverb
07 Hall Medium - Electro Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb
08 Plate Long - Wampler Reflection Plate Reverb
09 Room Studio B
Just ordered one due beginning of February, thank you for your honest review. Glad I went for it now.
ordered it and it only took 4 days to get to Ottawa Canada... have had it for 3 months now and I love it
it was between the katana and the PG spark a while back when i was looking for something like this a while back. for REAL the reason i went w the katana is the AC cable
100% agree with every comment.
As you said, this is almost like a Bose sound system - 4" speakers providing full-range, room-filling sound. And my guess is that, like Bose, the Spark is tuned to work specifically with its speakers - a speaker out jack would require a separate, uncolored power amp circuit.
Thank you for pointing out the wimpy power switch and power cord. Both give a bad first impression of the product.
One final note: Do NOT place this amp on the floor unless you're listening from across the room. I started with it on the floor and was ready to return it, the sound was pure mud. Then I realized only my ankles were hearing the mids and highs - those 4" speakers are pretty directional.
I set the Spark on top of the practice combo amp I'd been using and have been impressed with the tone ever since.
Legend has it that it was Dave Davies who took a razor blade to his speaker to get the distorted sound for "You Really Got Me". Thanks for the review!
I think I'm gonna get one... I already have BIAS on my laptop... I've been using a Fender Mustang V2 for a couple years, and it was great, but I've gotten so used to all the presets I'm ready for something new. Great review, thanks.
I recently ordered one and you've only made me more excited, I can not wait for it to arrive
Nice amp for the bedroom but no way can it replace my old Peavey Valve King. Once dialed in, I don’t touch it again. I dial in tones with guitar and pedals.❤
Got one of these a year ago. If you like it before the app, it will blow your mind once you explore it with the app. Tones are limitless and good.
I just wanted to tell you how I use my Spark. I use a stereo cable from the headphone jack to a Behringer mixer. That is powered by a 200 watt stereo amp and is driving a 4 x 12 “ Celestron cab in stereo. The sound is fantastic.
As an at home, mostly headphone, player this amp + the app is incredible. I never thought software could rival analog until now.
Ive actually been using my spark more for my E-Drum kit more than my guitars/basses. It sounds phenomenal sending a drum kit through it funny enough.
Good review. I have had mine for a year and half and love it. I do small gigs with my family and friends and it works very well. If you need a foot switch, one is now available from a 3rd party supplier. There are even plans to build your own if you want to. Here are a couple of comments about your review. The buttons to change settings takes no more than 2-3 seconds...I don't even have to look at the lighted button to see when it stops flashing, just hold about 3 seconds and let go and it is set. You can add a 19VDC battery power supply...I have not yet, but other owners have. It just plugs in. THAT is the best reason to have a separate power supply. If it had built in AC, you could not do that (except maybe with a DC to AC inverter). Because of this amp, I now play more than ever...it is so much fun!
The one problem I did have was a real bad AC noise in some homes, so I contacted PG and within a few days, I had a new grounded 3 prong power supply and now it is very quiet no matter where I play.
A few months back, I recommended you to my novice brother to be his guitar teacher and he signed up and likes your lessons and is doing well. Also, he has a new Spark and it came with the new power supply.
Edit: I also don't see a problem with the microswitch. If it is a good quality one such as Switchcraft....it will last a really long time and would be easy to replace. I like it better than the rocker switch on some of my equipment including an 80 watt amp.
The power cable is actually great. They sell a portable battery dc that fits the voltage on Amazon. Lasting up to 12 hrs.
i have the spark amp I’ve had since 2020 i love this little amp it’s great for practice i use it for practicing scales with the backing tracks which i love to do i also want to get the mini and the go too just to have all 3 it’s one of the best little practice amps around thank you for the review
The spark mini has blue tooth and rechargeable internal battery. It’s a great little camping, road travel amp. Yes, it doesn’t have all the feature or the power this one does, but with the app it’s limitless. I use my mini all the time at home. Very portable.
Hey .. for this kind of amp, the 'skinny' power cable is great.. why so; because it means the transform to low voltage DC is done outside the amp itself... And so why is such good; because it means the amp can run from rechargeable li-ion battery pack/s for going out and busking with in the open out doors.
Perfect application for an amp of this portability and size!
I agree 100% Mark. That’s why I love my Spark 40 amp so much. I normally use my 19v battery bank whether in the house near power or outside at the campfire. It’s just so convenient and it lasts for many hours.
My Spark plugs into the back l STRONGLY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE CORD . Great skills you have. Sounds great’ thank you’ I can definitely learn more this video. 🎸👍
Great run down. I'm one of those players that was initially skeptical, but was won over...even way past just home/bedroom use. Three of us in my band own the Spark. GREAT home practice amp without a doubt...but the two other (rhythm) guitarists use it as their stage amp. Headphone out into two channels on the FOH, monitored through their in-ear mix. I have mine set up in a "kit" as a backup in case my Headrush craps out on a gig. I have the Spark, an aftermarket footswitch that allows me to select between my 4 on-amp presets, as well as toggle individual effects in and out...an EB VPJr, and appropriate cords all packed up in a nylon carry bag. Haven't needed it, but I'm confident I could easily get through the gig with it. Since we're all in-ear, stage volume isn't an issue. I think this amp is really versatile...well worth it IMO.
I love mine! I started out in 1987 with a little crate 10 &, if I could’ve had one of these, I would’ve been in heaven! I also wish it had a dedicated out! Maybe someday.
I use my spark 40 more than any amp I own for its versatility and more than ample sound. It even works for light duty gigs. I can’t leave it alone. I’ll be getting a mini soon and see how they sound together.
I'm really glad that you reviewed this. For one reason I bought one. And I'm glad to have your opinion on it. For another reason, I like your style and am truly a beginner wanting to check out the Art of Guitar lessons. So its nice for me to see that my own interests are coming together, that I'm on the right track. Keep up the great work
I just randomly bought a Spark MIni at Guitar Center when I was looking for a little amp to use when my GF is driving. Then I found it was made by Positive Grid and had the app. About 11 days later( 2 days ago) I went back and found a used Spark 40 with a damaged input jack and missing power supply for less than I paid for the Mini.
I like that you reviewed the product as is without the app. This is what it will be like in 10-20 years when the app could be discontinued or maybe doesn't support the Spark anymore.
Good analogy of the onboard reverb.
Good review. Thanks. I ordered one based on your, Darrell Braun and Phil McKnight's opinion's of it. I trust that the three of you aren't shills for the product. I would like to see a long term review though.
19:10 They really wouldn't need a more power to run this to a 1x12, 2x12 or even 4x12 cabinet. The Orange Micro Terror or the Joyo BanTamP amps at 20 watts do great on larger cabinets. I run a 50 watt Katana into 2 1x12 cabinets. I may add a speaker out when the warranty is over.
20:20 Headphones, you can add a Bluetooth transmitter to the 3.5mm headphone jack. I can see why they didn't do it though. The latency really depends a lot on your earbuds. Cheap earbuds are going to have a lot of latency between the time you hit the string and you hear it.
🙂
Kinda late on this... One thing I found out, when using the amp without the app (the way I often use it): there are multiple reverb, delay, etc... pedals in the app. If you use it without the app, the knobs on the amp control the effects that are used on which ever preset you are using. Changing the amp knob will change the amp used in the preset, but all the other effects on that preset stay the same, and those are controlled by the appropriate knobs. But the four presets use different effects, so one may use a plate reverb, the second a spring reverb, the third a room or hall type reverb, etc... Same with delay and other effects, some of which may be selected, but turned off for that preset, turning the appropriate knob will affect the effect that is used on that preset. Without using the app, you will not know which particular effect (ie which delay, reverb, etc...) is being used, but you can control it from the amp. IE you could use the 4th preset (high gain, heavy metal sound), then switch the amp switch to a clean amp, but keep and control all the original effects in that preset from the amp. Probably the best bet is to set up the presets using the app to get the effects/amp combos you like, then you can control those effects (somewhat) without using the app, just the knobs on the amp, and switch amp types while keeping the effects the same. If you dont set the presets yourself, you a using whatever version of the effects are preselected for that selection even if you change amps.
I beleive The guy from The Kinks first done the razorblade trick then recorded "You Really Got Me."
Thank the gods that distortion has gotten light years better since then
I think it was the rockabilly star Link Wray who did that first on his song Rumble.
@@brianjauch9958 I read somewhere that he used to poke holes in his speaker cones with a pencil
I get what you are doing here, and it’s great. You treated this Spark like it’s the same as any practice amp. I like that review. I hope you got the app and used it, because you confirm the modeling makes this unlimited. The AI on the app allows so much! You can jam something, and it builds a band with a groove you set around it. So wild! If you can download any music and the app learns the music and shows you the chords, and often, the tones used by the recording. The hype is real.
Steve Stine has a good video on using the app.
My guitar teacher uses this for him and his students and it’s really good, i plan to buy this to take to college
Great and informative review. I just bought one and can’t wait for it to arrive. Thanks!
Not sure other people have commented, but the DC power inlet would allow the amp be powered by a battery making it more portable.
The "Big Thick AC Cable" is an IEC C13 Cable typically rated for 10A. You can thank the European Union for that rugged solid feeling electrical connection. The smaller one is a "2.1 x 5.5mm Tip Positive Plug" I believe based on the 19VDC 2.5A Rating to the rear of the amp. Quite a mouthful and clearly not from the IEC.
I play a twin at gigs -- I am wondering if you would put a SM57 and mic this amp for live gigs ... Let the PA do the work and skip the 100Lbs Amp . Thoughts?
So a trick you can use to turn the Spark into an amp head. Get a 1/4 to 3.5mm male to male cable. Run that from the headphone out to an amp pedal. Run the amp pedal into your cabinet.
Fast forward 2 years... the SPARK Cab is released, has a full on 120V three prong plug in and an output to power the 40, mini, and Go, plus USB devices. That's thinking ahead.
I own a Spark only had it for a week and I fckn love the thing, great heavy thick tones which sound large in the room, I'm impressed
I've had the amp for over a year and love it. Lots of sounds from the amp itself as well as a wealth of downloadable tones.
Mine is out for delivery on the UPS truck today. I got the pearl white version. Looking forward to it.
Got it. Love it.
The Spark 40 is the best practice amp since the discovery of electricity. I use mine at least 2 hrs every day, usually with backing tracks and headphones. My only improvement would be to have the app use sliders rather than dials, which are awkward.
It's cool but i prefer the boss katana 50. Same price range and features (no bluetooth and must be plugged into computer to edit tones, other than that it's similar), but a 12" speaker and 50 watts. But if you were looking for a speaker but also want an amp, i think it's a great value.
What I'd really like to see is a preset pedal floor switch. Just something to go from clean to distorted would be great.
It’s on their website. $130
I use the Xsonic one. It was 70 bucks on sale
I can't imagine ever replacing my spark. It's incredible for practice. I only control it with my phone though. Hardly ever using the physical buttons.
Re Battery power: you can buy a USB adaptor cable for the skinny socket with correct voltage, plug it into a Li-ion power bank, duct tape to the back of the amp et voila you have a battery-enabled amp. I did this with my Roland Micro Cube, it's fully portable and the power bank holds enough charge for weeks on end between recharges.
Mine was defective upon arrival and took over a month to get sorted out. Customer support was friendly enough. After the unit was repaired, it worked mostly as is should, but I still had intermittent connectivity issues with either the iPad or Android connection when changing sound tones. It would lock up and I'd have to reboot everything. Other than that, it sounded pretty sweet, was very easy to use with just the physical control knobs and eventually found 4 favs and stored them. After that I never used the apps again. I gave it away to another fellow guitarist-in-need and is still happily chugging along. For the price, you can't really go wrong with these, but I prefer the Yamaha THR amps overall.
Best mic'ed demo of this amp I've heard! Thanks much!
I also would prefer a better AC input cable even if this is mainly for home use. It would be nice to have a floor controller to switch channels. Also being able to connect to record with would be a great feature. Connecting to earbuds would be nice, give you more freedom to stand somewhere else in the room area plus using a mic in another room to be able to hesr though monitors. But as a practice amp this seems like a great value, especially with the different amp tones along with the multiple effects you get plus you can choose and share tones. Make a card with tones and settings. I could see them keeping this but making another model with upgrades. Some that you have mentioned plus a few others. I don't think you would have to add more power if connecting to another cab. I have a small little cigarette box that has a very little speaker and input and output and when plugged into a cab it is louder. It's not to the point of doing gigs but you can use it for a varied sound for recording, kind of like using a pig nose in the studio. A stand would be a good idea. I've already thought of away to make one myself and install. I didn't hear what the price on one of these. And are they available at music stores now. I feel that if I wait within a year they will bring out another model. It seems to happen to me everytime I purchase something. I bought the second line 6 and then they came out with other models . I bought the pod and with in no time a better one came out. I wished I stayed with my floor pedals and kept some of my other amps. But came into hard times and had to sell them. Haven't been able to replace my vintage 57 Start which sounded great or my SG with P90's, Gibson Custom , blk with gold hardware and Ivory. Original Jaguar, or the nocaster tele which were all stolen from me years ago. This little amp sounds like a perfect place to put near my mixer and work station. I have a degree in electronics, I probably could look inside and figure away to install a better switch, maybe a few other ideas. It will void the warranty but it's worth trying.
This was the best review of just about ANY product I have ever seen. Thank you!
Great review, offered this to my older kid and love it
The reason for the power brick is for worldwide compliance of power. In-built AC/DC power converter is more complicated to certify for electrical standards in different countries. Here only the power brick needs to comply.
Cool -- great review. I have the Mini which does use a battery. Also it was Dave Davies of the Kinks who (allegedly) cut his speaker with a razor blade.
Just bought the mini version. Its puerly awesome, and tiny. I love how it is charged via USB so I could bring it home to Norway. They don't sell them here yet.
Man i've been trying to decide if I should cop the money but this review definitely consolidated my view. I really want this. I like how this is a very honest out of the box type of journey. Imma order mine nowwwwww XD
LOL.... The delay repeats matched your tap in a specific pattern... check the settings to see if you are set for quarter note, either note.... the Spark can be set that way as well.
Thanks mate, I'm looking to get one, this helped make the decision a yes.
The software for the phone/ipad interface can be a little glitchy at times, but I still love this thing. Being able to jam along with songs, slow them down to learn them. Finding the exact right tone in the tone cloud takes a lot of the frustration out of twiddling virtual knobs. There are lots of classic song tracks with the lead guitar digitally removed, so you can BE SRV or Jimmy Page. The Jam Tracks are helpful for practicing, but sometimes the chord and bass progressions are off or just plain wrong. I've had this thing for over a year, and still finding new stuff to do with it. I just ordered a Mini for travel.
I just got mine yesterday. The white one. Lemme tellya, pics don't do it justice. But it's like a double edged sword. Looks great, but in a house with 10 cats, I worry about claw marks, pee, general filth...so your idea of a stand hole in the bottom would really be great. I have a contention about labeling though and that is, to me glassy describes the strat in between tone, and crunch should be more well, crunchy. It sounded a bit transistor radio-ish, and not like a sound I would use, so that would something for them to work on. It could be better. But as a 69 year old former NYC pro and former guitar store owner, one who is completely baffled by the electronic capabilities of today, I'm completely bowled over by its overwhelmingly versatile nature, coupled with it's simplicity of operation. I can't wait to get into it. I have a Katana which is OK, but the katana will be gathering dust now. Good vid! I subscribed.
Mine is white. Was not expecting that. Looks really nice.
Best review of this I have seen. Love your cadence and the actual sound you get from the amp.
I've had my eye on one of these and after doing some research I found that almost everyone prefers the tone of the mini version as opposed to the 40 shown here. It's only $20 cheaper and massively smaller in size, which is a bit confusing as you'd think the much smaller speakers and components would almost certainly result in some net losses in tone and power. I read that the main complaint with the 40 vs the mini is the need for an EQ to get the tone sounding perfect. I am so torn as to what to do! The battery powered option of the mini is cool, but conversely that's one more wearable component that could eventually go bad and possibly make the whole amp useless. I need to watch some review vids on the mini vs the 40 now.
Thanks for the review , im a new player that is picking up a guitar for the first time in 30years so value an honest video . Did you ever do one with the iPad app to show the extended features ?
The slashed speaker distortion trick was on You Really Got Me by The Kinks
Thank you for this! It sounds like a good amp for a beginner which I am and a money saver. I don't want to invest in more equipment until I can actually play something. The amp I initially bought is probably an okay amp, I just don't know how to use it and to get the sounds I want would require added equipment which has kind of killed my desire to play. I am hoping the Spark helps me achieve the sound I want and makes learning fun again. I ordered one before seeing this review it will arrive in a week or so. At which point I should sign up for your lessons, I hope to see you out playing again soon. It was very fun to see you play with the Heart tribute band, Heartless this past Summer.
Just got one and unsure whether to keep. (I already have a small amp and looper pedal)
There is inherently too much bass and low end - on all presets. I also like to use the neck pickup which is softer/lower sound.
Yes it can be rectified by using the EQ pedal (that's if another pedal isn't in use in that range already).
Also I found the noise gate needs constant tweaking, if you want to play softly the sound is just cut off.
So every pre-set you have to go through this process, load it in check the lowend, check for cut outs make adjustments.
The smart jam is ok. - you get a short period to record (you won't get a 12 bar blues in the time allowed) and it comes up with something. I guess my looper pedal beats this.
Yeh there's some cool sounds - but for me its not a case of select sounds and away you go.
Also using the hardware presets - heres how it works. You select 1 preset on the amp say Clean, adjust to volume you want, change to another preset say Glass and the volume is way different - you need to re-twiddle the Master volume knob for it to notice the level you had set it. Which I think sucks.
I'll persevere and see if its worth the 250 sheets.
Great review! The cheap power cable may be your best friend on hooking it up to a battery source.
With a reverse polarity barrel plug cable (cheap), you can connect it to a USB source as in a power block and/or Jackery style battery 👍🏽
I do this occasionally with my Boss Katana Air ~
btw I believe it was Link Ray, the guitarist who wrote/performed the song “Rumble”, whom was one of the pioneers to razor cut the amp speakers for distortion.
Oh yeah you also left out that it’s allows for Bluetooth connectivity on top the phone connection to the amp. It allows to play backing tracks from your phone into the amp and it also double the amp as a Bluetooth speaker. Stacking the two connections allows you to keep playing the guitar while music is playing via Bluetooth from another device. The usb connection is one of the cleanest recording signals I’ve heard too, I honestly prefer that they used usb-b instead of analog or standard output. Mine also came with a DAW called StudioOne
Exellent Review on this. Helped me a lot. Thank you for your time
I'm using mine with a 17500Mha battery with a 19v output from amazon and I can easily play 5 -6 hours with it.
So the problem with wireless ear buds will be the lag with bluetooth. It will be pretty noticeable even with the latest version of bluetooth. A good answer would be investing in wifi headphones with a mixamp like steelseries arctix pro wireless. I have a 3.5mm cable that I can use with an amp heaphones out or a usb audio interface that connects to the mix amp. Then the mixamp sends the amp signal to my headphones through wifi. With wifi there is no noticeable lag, and they have a prebuilt eq and surround sound option.
I've had this for a year, I love this thing. I don't even use any of my other amps anymore.