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Hey Phil, that humbucker hard strum breakup can be minimized by going into settings and enabling "Hi-Z Mode". Turn off for low output pickups, turn on for high output pickups.
I have the original spark amp, I brought it thinking it was a gimmick thing that I'd get bored with fast....it's got so many handy features....3 years later I'm still using it everyday.
Same! I like the ability to jam along with the backing track in the app, and I like getting to try out all sorts of amp/effect options. I also love having a built-in tuner. I only have two issues with it, neither a deal-breaker. First, running the audio out(USB or through the headphone out) sounds great, and the amp itself sounds great, but they sound significantly different to my ears, meaning if I want to record something I have to play with the patch settings to get it to sound the same as the amp did on its own. Second, and very specific, is that I have a Blackstar HT 40 MkII that I absolutely LOVE, and I can't quite get the sound from the Spark. No on is shipping modelers with Blackstar emulations, so it is what it is.
I absolutely love mine. I use it for night jamming when my 2 daughters are sleeping. I have it connected to my Ipad and will use headphones when I am wanting to be even more quiet. It has honestly changed my playing and practicing ability in a GREAT way. For a Dad of 2 little ones I give it 2 thumbs WAYYYYYY up 😁
This is exactly the comment I was looking for. I want to play more, but have a baby on the way. This sounds like it should be right up my alley. Thanks
@MJPGuitar still loving mine and it is still working perfectly 😁😁😁 I also have the boss Katana go which may be worth a check out if you are looking for more options 😁
I bought two of them and I hook them to each side of my hip pull my shirt over and then stroll around jamming and then when people say Where's that sound come from and I say it comes from within my soul..
To anybody criticizing this little amp: WTF? Seriously. I would have killed to have this thing when I was growing up! What great little rig, and the sounds and tweaks are almost limitless! A quantum leap in utility and availability to jam and practice almost anywhere. Sure its not the best speaker, but you should have heard what I played through when I was a kid. This tech is next level stuff and will only get better. Bravo.
True, I'd have loved this back in the 80's. The other amps in this range seem really well suited for house use, considering this little amp myself just so long as you don't have to pay a monthly subscription to use app 🏴
The app/modelling software alone is worth the purchase price and the fact it's also a compact portable amp is a nice bonus as far as I'm concerned. The speaker is a bit weak on it as a standalone device and I wouldn't take it on vacation, although I likely would never take a guitar on vacation either. Mine gets used in my small home office for short sessions and messing about with trying out pedals and tones, to see what I like and if I want to buy another pedal. I think it is really quite a niche product, but if you have a solid use case for it, then it is an excellent addition to a guitarist kit bag.
This is one of those products that I always find neat until I buy it and never use it. But I very much appreciate you taking time out from your vacation to show us Phillip.
I actually bought one for a week long cruise and used the app. The headphone sounds killer with a good headset or in-ears. You did not mention that you can jam along with tracks to do covers or improv. Very inspirational and makes you want to practice even on a cruise ship! Looking forward to recording tracks with it.
I travel for work and found that the Spark Go is perfect for travel and hotel life. When I travel by plane I put a Vox mini guitar in my backpack along with this, so I don't need to check separate bags at the airport(plus weight matters when travelling). The Spark Mini won't fit with in a backpack along side my work items. The GO is basically a perfect travel amp for all travel situations.
Bought this for my 9yo son for learning to play electric guitar. It's been a great purchase for this purpose. It's fun to play around with all of the settings and having the convenience to save presets is a huge plus. I didn't know about the tuning with the present lights though. I'll have to try that out.
I still think the OG Spark is the best, unless you are really short on space. Anything battery powered is eventually going to stopvtaking a charge, wheras the OG Spark you just plug in or you can use a usb to dc cable and run it on battery packs wherever you are. This does sound good though.
I bought a Spark Go for this same reason. I've taken it on a few trips already. It hasn't let me down, it keeps me entertained paired up with a travel guitar.
Good video. You should have given us the regular recording for the sound. It would have been nice to hear how it actually sounds in the room vs the zoom recorder
Definitely prefer the Mini overall in the entire range. The Go is great for lessons, but the Mini sounds way better. The big one sounds the best and has the most bass, but having to plug it in is a pain.
if you lay it down on a desk with cubby holes which have the bottom holes open to reflect off the wall you can get improved bass and improved reverb. It is NOT like cranking up knobs, but it adds a better texture to the sound. It will never have the punch of a good 10" or 12" speaker. But it has to be one of the best things to stick at your desk with a guitar so you can just pick it up and play. Also, if you have one of those Bose SoundDock or similar unused and lying around, you can use an auxiliary cord to improve the sound. The whole setup and be carried in a little bag. And that setup will give you a lot more sound and better quality in an incredibly small footprint which you can set up just about anywhere. Plus, you use only one electric source for hours of playing. Yeah, I have one and it is so much easier than using my pedals and multiFx with amp and speaker.
Nice! Whenever I'm out on Maui, I always make my first stop at Bounty Music, not far from the airport, and rent a guitar to use while I'm there. Much easier than flying with one.
I was surprised! I have one of the first "travel" amps it looks like a full size Fender Blues Jr. but it's about 6"x4"x 3" deep. One 3" speaker that sounds like ass. This isn't bad at all. I would take this little thing with me on a trip, for sure!
I will be getting myself one of these. It ticks a good few boxes. Probably the most concise review I've seen of the Spark Go so far. Thank you. SALUD !!
I got one of these a couple months ago, helps me practice while the wife is watching TV... I usually run my pedal board through it no problem.. just have to turn some stuff off.. It's pretty good stuff... have to say the build quality really surprised me.
Bought one. Sounded like hell. Sent it back. Cool with all the features though and if you are running it through a PA or something. But the sound is really small.
I'm with you on the app tweaking, but I struggle to set a rig in real life, and these things almost always overwhelm me. I think a guy like you could create four really functional rigs that mimic some of your actual setups ...
The Spark amp is an audio interface, you can plug the USB cable straight into your computer without the need for an audio interface between it and the computer,
Phil, I bought one to play in my "guitar room" so as to keep our dogs out of crooning mode. That duet upsets everyone. I had not explored the unit's capabilities much, and had hoped to find a vlog about the unit. Your demo magically appeared which made my day. As you demonstrated, it travels well, and one can crank it up and make a nice little noise. Thanks for your "busman's holiday" video. You're one of the hardest working people on RU-vid.
Reviewers should take a lesson from Phillip. Everything you need to know in the shortest time. The 40, great for a permanent home set up. Add the cab when available! The mini, great for portability around the home, or taking to friends. Sounds good as a BT speaker too. Best of the bunch if you only have one spark. Go, great for travel. Headphones in, backing tracks stream via BT, great for hotels when working. Just waiting for the headphone amp, no speaker, just use the app. Sure that will happen…..
I bought this amp through Amazon Prime Days for $100; I thought a great deal. I already own the original Spark and love it. But out of the box I tried direct connecting, no sound? Then tried Bluetooth, weird happenings, my phone showed connection but the Go Bluetooth light never came on, and no sound? I never got sound out of the go. I tried charging overnight but the unit was charged prior to that. Still never got sound. Luckily Amazon has a good return policy. Now I’m afraid to try another, really soured my trust in Positive Grid
I’ve brought my Fender Mustang Micro on vacation and instead of plugging in headphones, using a 1/8” cable out to a separate Bluetooth speaker. Great review Phil.
I just got a Mini and it's amazing for a simple travel amp. A little bigger than the Go. Also doubles as Bluetooth speaker. And the App is amazing - so many different choices for guitar sounds.
I have this little amp, basically every guitarist should have this one instead of a bluetooth speaker :). It does not sound incredible but it is a very small speaker after all. I am happy with the purcahse. Positive grid has done what Marshall should have done.
The sound out of the speaker is very lack luster, however it’s portability is very hard to beat. It really shines when it’s plugged in to headphones or a external stereo system. The app is where it shines the most, being able to look up songs and play over them Is very fun and very encouraging to play.
Excellent review. I'm not in the market for one since I have the original 40w* spark that I bought for travel and other than needing a 110v outlet it works good enough. A bit too dark and everyone says to install the EQ , but I don't like apps at all and haven't done it yet. I did watch to the end though.
I am home player . I have A Katana mk2 50 . I bought the Spark Go and love it . I can be in any room and using my headphones without lugging around a big box . Then , when I want real volume , I line out to my. Katana or Marshall.
Great demo, Phil! I was curious about the Go, but I think I'd go for the next one up personally. I dunno. I doubt I need any of them as I have 15 and 20 watt amps and don't plan on traveling with them 😆
Nice, honest review, Phil. I got one of the original 40's when they came out and after playing with speaker choices (ended with one original in the right and an Alpha 4 on the left), I really enjoy it and it's the perfect bedroom amp. The speaker swap took some of the low fluff out for bluetooth duties (it turns out I rarely use it that way, though). For someone needing compact portability, this looks like a winner.
Anyone have problems with getting music to play through Bluetooth? My iPhone is connected via Bluetooth in system settings but no audio (only through my phone). TIA!
I totally get the app thing. I will just say that if you do spend some time in the app up front, you can load 4 different presets that you prefer, THEN never touch the amp again. Nice review.
So Philip. First, I AM a professional player, but have learned a LOT from playing informally with others. I'm looking for an amp that is very small (like this one) to allow me to give me a CLEAN boost for solos with my acoustic archtop when playing at acoustic pickin' parties, with 6 or 8 (non-professional) people trying to demonstrate their rhythm prowess. I don't need it for rhythm, but just so I don't have to work hard/tense up when my solo comes around Tones I prefer are clean, VINTAGE Western Swing, Country, Rockabilly,, with occasional EARLY Chicago Blues (Jimmy Rogers/Muddy/Little Walter era), etc. I have a Spark 40, but find it too big for this stuff, and don't really want all the complications of 50,000 useless (to me) presets. It's difficult to figure this out because almost all reviews emphasize overdriven & distorted tone (I use a Deluxe Reverb/ Princeton Reverb & Blues Juniors, with no external effects, just amp, cord, guitar) Any suggestions? Thanks! Kevin
This little amp is just too small. It has a distant transistor sound. The best travel amp I’ve ever owned is the Katana Air but it’s much bigger and costs a LOT more. Now having said that the Katana Air absolutely can fill up a room. You can easily play with others even drums if he’s restrained lol. The KA is also wireless with a rechargeable transmitter, runs on batteries and its real stereo with volume. So it’s like this. If you’re broke and just want to noodle the Spark Go is your amp but if you need performance in a small portable package the Katana Air is unbeatable. Even the full size Spark can’t compete!
Hello, I just bought your positive grid mini amplifier, I am very happy with the sound, but when I open a song from a RU-vid channel on my phone, the sound comes from the phone, not the amplifier, even though Bluetooth is connected. I would be glad if you could help. Thank you
The Square speaker is not a speaker. It's what is called a passive radiator. It is made for low end frequency. I can't see something that small putting out much lows. Just letting you know. Enjoy your vacation Phill
I had it… returned it. Way too quiet and the sound quality sucked.. better off getting the 10watt battery version. This isn’t for people who take guitar seriously in my opinion
By the way, the speakers can take lot of sound, it's the plastic grill is the one that rattles when bassy sound. I removed it and does rattle any more.
Best thing, it uses the same software as the other Spark amps which is very good. I dont have the GO but i do have the Mini and the Spark 40. The 40 sounds the best by far but I mainly use the Mini as a headphone amp on my desk and a computer input. It works great for that. The Spark 40 sounds very good, The Mini sounds ok but definitely a lot thinner.
good grief. the bigger point aboit an internal/non-replaceable battery IS: it means the device is disposable! is this honestly, not that much of a priority, to many of you? I work in a field that specializes in replaceable batteries. I keep trying to get many people to wake up to this fact. yet, I see many just ignore it, or not seem to care. so, am I that radical in my thinking? that long term ownership and usage is a major consideration for me when making major purchases??????????????????
Your half-way to Australia Phil! one day you should make the trek a little further. Steve Vai was just here..... Great little amp with suprising versatility
The speakers are too small, but otherwise it seems pretty good. I prefer my BOSS Katana Mini for when I play outside. I carry it in a helmet bag attached to my gig bag, so it's not pocket size but still very portable.
Was on the fence about this but Andertons have them for £109 with free shipping so I took a chance and ordered one yesterday. Clicked on this video thinking "uh oh, hope I haven't made a mistake" but Phil has put my mind at rest.😂 (I know, I can return it if I don't like it)
Also just bought mine before it went down to $110, oh well. I ordered it on a sunday and tried to get it cancelled a half hour later and it was already in the truck on it’s way. I told my SW rep and he sent a return label. I changed my mind cause l play pedal steel and didn’t think it would have a lot of tone control on clean settings-wrong-O! Kept the thing and l love it. Even play it thru my amps. Effects and tones are great!
Great video....I like mine for blue tooth and the recording feature. Let me know if you still work on guitars because I live in peoria az and have been looking for a new luthier.
The Spark Mini is the real star as a practice amp. I like the Go for portability or use with headphones. Positive Grid is releasing a cab that will work with the little Go and other Spark amps.
I'm one of those that likes 'all of the amazing features in the app'. It's the nicest looking app I've seen for any of the devices in this category. For me, the positive things in the app are the drum backing and jam track backing capabilities. The only slight negative is that I don't think you can change the order of the effects in the signal chain.
