Positive Grid Spark 40 Vs Spark Mini Vs Spark Go 

BUYER BEWARE. I bought a Spark 40 and while still under warranty, it stopped working. I contacted support and they asked questions, sometimes sending me duplicate emails (which became very confusing). They said I would be getting information on where and how to return the amp. I've heard nothing and they no longer answer any emails. This started last September. The worst support of any company I've ever had to deal with. Fender sent me a replacement Super Champ x2 within 3 weeks.

A good, honest review. I have all three too. Do you happen to have your tone presets available on the Tone Cloud? Those would be interesting to try out.

I'm a fan of the Mini. I've created four presets that are loaded into the hardware slots: clean, crunch, gain, and bass. I bought it to practice/jam while on vacation. I can stream my band's set list or new songs to learn via Spotify on my phone to the Mini and play along. Plus the Mini makes a decent Bluetooth speaker when paired with the phone for use in the garage while working on vehicles or at the beach or where ever. It doesn't get much day-to-day use as I usually just plug my guitar in my PC's audio interface and use software amp sims, but it's perfect for traveling.

thats a mighty good looking guitar you got there. Dylan thanks for sharing the info about those amps, i had an eye on them but wasnt sure but now Im fixed 👍

I got some different speakers for my 40 - it's a little brighter. But if I was starting over I just get the cheapest one buy a 12-in full range speaker cab.

The Mini is the best. It's for the living room. The 40 sounds like it's under 2 blankets, and the Go sounds like a speaker in a can.

Get the GO and the CAB! You’ll have the most versatile best of both worlds, for traveling or jammin at home. The CAB can get Very Loud with the GO pushing it, and you’re able to dial in Nice tones! Can’t beat the size with some phones, late night or in a hotel room.

Hi. Love the gear reviews. I love the app. Do you get all the app features with th mini (Backing tracks, RU-vid, Apple Music jamming etc).?Thanks to you, I’m going to sell the 40 and but the mini! 😂. I have the Hendrix pack. Is there anything I need to do like unpair the app from the amp before selling it? Thanks.

Curious how it works if you plug the headphone out into a big amp's effects return.

I plug the Spark headphone output into a Katana 50 MK II guitar input with a 1/4 to 1/8 jack. . Lot of power with great sounds !

Had all of them. Only kept the 40 becauss its the only one that can actually put out enough volume to make it enjoyable and feel like a real amp.

I still use my Spark 40 all of the time. I've been using it with an external battery for a couple of years. There are a variety of ways to attach the battery to the back of the amp so that it's not in the way.

Dylan, why did you stop using Kemper? Sorry if you answered this question before. What do you think of the new Kemper Player pedal and the apps?

Thanks for the review. I've had the Spark 40 since they came out and love it. Though I have a battery attached to back of mine and NEVER use the power cable. I rarely play through anything else anymore and also use it in the workshop and outside around the bonfire as a bluetooth speaker for music. Adding the battery to the Spark 40 makes it serve the purpose of what the Mini would do for me. Think I'm going to have to spring for the GO though, that seems SO handy and to remain in the same ecosystem and same app is a huge bonus. ( I do use the app for playing along with tunes and getting different sounds at times).

Great video. Love that pink paisley axe!! ❤

I bought the Go at the holiday price basically for the same purpose and an upcoming trip. The only thing I tried that wasn't great was that the little speaker farts out with a bass at max volume, but meh, it can get still loud enough or I can just use headphones, still worth it just based on it being hilariously small.

Great review. Subbed.

I use my Spark 40 every day and love it. I have the 40 and Bias FX2 (which I hardly use) since the Spark 40 can run USP or headphone out into the computer, and I have saved presets on my Spark. It is small and light enough to carry anyplace if I wanted to do that, so I see no reason for the tiny amps for my use. I am an older guy and find it interesting how some of you complain about having a power cord😁Everything in my studio has a power cord except my acoustic drums🤣Good demo thanks!

I got the Spark 40 in July 2020. I really like it, BUT it's way too muddy. Mine also cuts out when the volume is over half. I started just running it from the headphones jack to my tube amp and it sounds awesome. I'm considering the Spark Cab now instead of running through my tube amp.

Excited about this I’ve been thinking about getting one but have been trying to decide what one

Can't tell ya how much I appreciate your perspective on this. Just what I needed. I boughtvthe mini. Please with the purchase

Yep, I think the Go is the one to get. I'm shocked at how often I use it. It goes everywhere in the front pocket of my travel guitar.

Can either the mini or the go be used for busking with an electric guitar and a vocal mic? I have read that some people believe a vocal mic with a preamp could be inserted into the input usually used for backing tracks. Thoughts?

Hey Dylan, I'm curious if you have looked into the Gibson Tony Iommi humbucker pickup (currently discontinued). From what I have read it uses a very unique construction, with 2-3 different magnets. I'd be interested to see a deep dive video into the construction of it if that is something that sounds interesting to you and if you can find info on it. I guess Gibson kept the secrets pretty close. I have one in my SG and it is a great pickup. Just wish I had bought more of them when I could.

I have the Spark 40 as well, and like you I find it inconvenient due to the power cord. The sound is good though.

I bought a Mini for Christmas and was really, really disappointed with it. I'm pretty sure the one I had was busted though. It would be really quiet - like, you couldn't hear it over a small fan - then there was a point in the volume where it would go from quiet to clipping the speaker. And, for some reason, both volume knobs had to be up. You couldn't just use the guitar volume, or you'd hear nothing. It was a very negative experience, which only further emphasized the negative experiences I had with PG apps on my iPhone or iPad in the past. It's neat, but I returned it 2 days later.

...bought a go last month and for the size and what it does it's a great little practice amp. And the app really is pretty cool. Allows you to choose a lot of different tones...great descriptions ! I almost bought the larger amp but where am I going to put it ?... "Gotta Go !"... Thanks again Dylan !...

Just picked up a Nux myself. Such confident little amps.

I have the 40 and the go. The 40 is used to stream music…….. But I use the go fairly often. I sit on the couch with the go on the coffee table pointing at me from about 3ft away at an angle. I do use the app as I find some very good tones. I think the thing sounds remarkably well using it like this. I also have a Yamaha thr30ii. I also like that a lot. I think that is far better that the 40.

6:10 Wouldn't you be better off connecting the amp to the phone via USB for direct sound?

Oh and that Texas toast is making me give half my guitars that look that Joe dirts parents gave him when they left him at the Grand Canyon

Had the Pod Go. Thought it was so useful. Sadly , software kept crashing after i tweaked Presets so back it went. Bought the NUX Mighty Lite 2. Simply fantastic and totally reliable.

"Here's the main reason I don't like [the Spark 40]: It's not very portable." LOL... *cries in Marshall 4x12 cab* Seriously, this is an excellent review, which is not just targeted and informative, but puts your own dissatisfaction in the context of your own intended use. It recognizes that we all have different needs, and it's this context that really makes it a valuable guide. Whether we should consider these amps is not really so much a question of whether they're "objectively" good; they are. It's a question of whether the obvious and unavoidable limitations of these amps are "deal-breakers" for us the way they are for you. For your intended use, the Mini is absolutely a better purchase than the 40. For myself, I think it's the other way around, and I have a bit of regret now that I didn't shell out the extra $50 difference for around 4x the power.

I also use the Spark Mini) I think, it is awesome for home or taking somewhere! Good smart thing)

8 Minute Axe on RU-vid did a really good video on how to fix the bass on the 40.

Love my Spark!

You can get a powerbank for the spark 40 to make it more portable

I’ve been using the Spark Go for a year. Works incredibly well. My preordered Spark Live just arrived today. Can’t wait to get into it !!

Funny thing. I haven’t touch my 40 in a long time too. I actually prefer the mini. I think it sounds better. 40 is just too woofy sounding. And yeah. Gotta plug it in too. Haha. The go fits perfectly in my travel tech case. Sounds ok. Still better than those Marshall ones.

I know it is an amp video, but man, that guitar.

I agree with Dylan on the Spark 40 - it seems to have an awkward set of features: too large to easily travel with, too small for real gigging, etc. I'm thinking the Go might be the most versatile if paired with a larger thin powered speaker for travel.

So… there’s still a case to be made… for more than one! Cause the Spark is fine for stationary use, but the Mini offers the portability of the battery and such… interesting…

The Spark Go is the Smokie amp of the 2020's! 👍😎

Have the Spark 40 and the control pedal. I also have Bias FX and Bias Amp. I never use my Spark 40 for several reasons. I've had problems with the Spark App not working on more than one Android device at a time, which is still not resolved after several emails to tech support. Most annoyingly, it doesn't work with Bias FX which I use more often for practice study as I live in a condo and I've gotten used to practice under headphones. Also, the Spark App does not have a player that would allow me to use my own self generated, mix minus tracks. I am more likely to use Line 6 Helix Native with HX Stomp for live applications as I can use my the tones I've created with the tracks I've created. My Spark 40 is for sale, I have the bag and the previously mentioned 4 switch control. Make me an offer, FOB Detroit, MI

that tiny one is SOOOOO useful, potentially (having not experienced it ''in the flesh''). Late night sudden sit-up-bolt-upright-with-an-idea-late-at-nite-with-in-built-neighbour-protection, if you don't always wanna sit around with headphones, or there's alate-nite light social going on. As are he other two for relevant occassions ( 2 C's and 2 S's in occassions?) too. Dylan has a way about him where I'd enjoy plugging his knowledge for affordable high quality serious mini combos, or even seperates/mini-stacks, particularly if they include DC power options (And AC. Or either), suited to grown-ups round a camo fire late night festy loud or chilled, garage party, where you ca;t blast too much, parks, anywhere they are easy to take along to make best use of the summer. But, which model guitar and bass amps of the past I enjoy (13th floor Elevators, Butthole Surfers, The Sonics, Shockabilly, Bingwater, Ween, Stooges, Velvet Underground, Sex Pistols, Link Wray, The Cramps, etc. Classic R&B/Garage/Rock n roll bass and guitar amp modelling wise.) Yeh, it springs a well of possibilities seeing stuff like this which may serve a purpose for the buyer beyind having a token to show they paid for something called a portable amp! You donlt expect certain miracles of mini tech, but, it's nice when within context appropropriate situatuons, you're getting something which points the right way for you, when not using big gear your used to. Little socials, and impromptus. Worth paying good money for (without taking the piss) something which really does serve a decent solid purpose. In theory. I suppose?

Selling my Spark 40 and Control. It's been sitting on the shelf as an ornament. Thought I'd resurrect it at the desk, but it's such a hassle to keep the phone around. Plus the Bluetooth for audio playback isn't working anymore. It doesn't show up on devices to stream to it (Edit: there's a way to reset it. It's now showing. Might keep it as bluetooth speaker). Spark Control only works when connected to the app. Pointless. Selling that for sure.

There's a lot of great players out there not sounding like they're playing through a Marshall stack.

Just in case this info is useful for someone, I just realized that the sound using headphones is not the same, Spark Amp has a fuller, richer and more realistic sound than the Go. I mean, maybe I was misinformed but the thing is that I have both, the Spark 40 and the Spark Go, both updated to latest firmware. I used to understand from review videos that both Spark devices had the same "brain" and just different construction, body and speaker size so theoretically they should sound the same when using the same set of headphones at the same volume and testing the same patches just downloaded from ToneCloud (without any modification after downloaded into the devices). I use them to practice in the apartment so I always use headphones, some Audiotechnica professional studio headset and they definately sound similar but for heavy gain (rock and metal patches) the difference between them is notorious. Just because of this I decided not to sell my Spark Amp and keeping it. The Go is still such a great piece of gear but I use it now for travelling only.

Compare the Spark amps with Boss

Which is the worst? All of them.

I managed to destroy my Spark Amp but putting the wrong charger in the back :(

I'm sorry, I can't tell you "what's going on?"

Connect a power pack to your 40 no wires.

My mini's battery only lasts like 5 hours max. You must have a better battery than mine.

I've got a 40. And it's as bassy as hell. The cabs a disaster for guitar.. The software's ok,it's just the cab

“Dumb questions from guitar RU-vid” & “which one is worst?” You okay buddy? The negativity is an unexpected swing.

Put a battery on the spark 40. Problem solved.

My brother bought me the mini recently, and I'm blown away by how well it sounds! I was considering getting the cabinet that they sell, but now I see this Spark LIVE thing, and OH MAN!!! THAT THING LOOKS AWESOME!!!!