Positive Grid Spark vs Tube Amps - Let's Find out How Good it REALLY Is! 

Love the video, Darrell! 👊

Just got one for Chrimbo. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Great vid as always. Cheers!

Should do a vdo about katana mini

I liked them all on the spark. Well the Orange was much better on the orange head than the spark. Everything else was pretty close

Oh and can you save your tones to the cloud? Looks like they'd be great fun to play with!

I'd be happy if I had a job that could put me on a level to afford all those amps lol

The size of the speakers shouldn't matter for sound quality (headphone speakers are tiny, my IEMs even more tiny), more for volume.

@@wbertie2604speaker size does matter, headphones sound so good because they reproduce sound very close to the ear. Try using headphones without them on your head

Hey looking back + how wrong you are / were lol

$225 spark!

@@PunitSoni00 That's what I paid. I still haven't really explored all of the different features - but it's great for practicing while watching netflix!

To many of thousand dollars amp head not just one...

$400? I paid $225

Demand is down, supply is up. Price has already dropped to $250. Ask yourself why.

small footprints, like maybe a mouse?

Once you get the amp is the software on phone and pc free too conect too it too use online presets

@Pennsylvania _Mike Ok I used the wrong term. I beg your forgiveness. You buy an amp ($$$) and you get whatever tones that amp can produce. You buy the Spark and you get about 30 amp models plus another 40 pedal models all for about $250. I say that's a pretty good deal for a PRACTICE amp.

@@markshone4606 Yes, the app is free to download on your phone or tablet.

@@BigBearBloo Whatever you say, Prof. Dr. ToneMaster, sir.

I use a line 6 spider jam great for the money I think

I want to watch this video But I can't find

@@bharattamang9201 bet he did it only for the intro

@Bogey Man Eh!

@@djangelocabansag4523 Ohh

sez who? hehe

Some folks have done some experimentation with using them with keyboard amps (fairly neutral eq compared to guitar amps) and just straight power-amps and apparently it works well, even if it feels a bit icky driving it out the headphone port (The gain structure could be a bit weird I guess)

Or move it out from wall/s, makes it tighter, less room gain to the lows.

I will have to try that, with a 'tube' sock of course :)

True... I have 2, my living room one is on a stand that was was never bassy. Today I took my portable one to my brothers and placed it on the floor, it definitely was more boomy

@@MYdjANDkaraoke Try to place it on the floor in a corner :D Room gain. Good thing it can be sorted (on any speaker/cabinet)

I ordered one on November 15, it arrived November 20.

I just ordered mine 11/19 and it got delivered11/24... It seems like they figured it out.

I honestly think the clean tones, specifically the Fender stuff is where it shines. I got an A/B pedal out and was testing the tones back to back. Are the real amps "better"? Of course, but it's not so different you'd feel bad playing it. I have a Katana Mini that I think is great for what it is as well, but when playing it you feel like you are missing something. Don't feel that way with the spark. If I lived in an apartment or situations where I couldn't crank up a real amp the Spark would be perfect for me. Fortunately I can crank up my amps but where the spark is awesome is just playing around and wanting to try a bunch of different pedal sounds. You can't beat the ease of flipping on a tube screamer sim when you just want to play around or are learning a new song. The spark is one of the rare purchases where almost nobody I know uses the hyped up features, but it's still a great purchase just as a regular modeling amp alone. I love it.

Considering the cost the Spark is really great and versatile as hell. All tones were excellent and they came close to the original. Especially the 2204 comparison was quite close to my ears. But I still liked the "real" amp tone in all comparisons a bit more - there are still parts of the "tone" that seemingly cannot be emulated easily. So I think theres still a reason to buy tube amps :)

@@BrianOC41 5 years? Not bad going considering all the committees you have to go thru get 1!

Interesting setup does using a proper cab fix the bass issue ( too bass heavy ) ?

@@And1slash I wonder this too tho a lot of that bass is added in the software. I run BiasFX on my pc and it's much bassier too.

The manufacturer needs to compress the output's to fix the low end

@@robjobse8860 My other guitar emulations do it. I mean it's not an issue for me I just pop an EQ. But it does feel more bass heavy/weighted than my real amps and plugins.

@@robjobse8860 Doubt it very much. Even on headphones the difference is noticable with the plugins and my Kemper. I am not saying it's a bad thing btw. It's just their sound and a very easily fixable one if you dont like it.

For what it is, it sounds great. But you're right...listening to countless comparisons and having played most of the amps this thing models, there's always going to be that sonic different...that chime and tube saturation that doesn't quiet get there with the modeling. No one likes to talk about it, though. Not dumping on modeling amps...I used tube VSTs for my album. Just being honest.

at the same time i dont think it try to compete tube amp at all... but other modeling amp... and for the price point... i think its also great for beginner to experiment with what type of sound they may actualy prefer like to play... not only amps but pedal ect... it allow them to expirement before commiting to the real amps and pedal with less "risk" if they want to go that route after its also a one in all solution as you dont need a audio interface and a DAW to play with it... and of more advance user we mostly alredy know why we might get one

@@samuelj.rivard also as a recently milestone of 63 years young.. it’s nice (on the back) to not haul 50lbs of amp around for practice sessions.

This is my exact thought. Surely there is someone who says “this is hyped internet trash”. I bought it and I’m waiting. But after my experience with Orangewood’s hyped internet trash. I’m thinking I should just cancel and get the yamaha

@@Asherr6 I think the versatility of Spark pushes it over the edge to Yamaha. The Spark literarily has endless sounds you create and model.. no it’s not a tube amp.. but it was never designed to be one... thus the term Modeling.

I actually think modelers have pretty much nailed that now. I have a few and they all do it well. Their recognizing dynamics these days is impressive. But I know what you mean 10 years ago or so that was one of the major issues.

Nah, I don't agree with that at all. It hasn't been a problem for over a decade now. Line6 nailed it ages ago with their modelling amps.

@@PHeMoX I was about to say the same; I used to go from clean to overdrive on most patches from my former Pod XTL just with the guitar S-H push-pull. However, that was on custom patches because the stock ones were dialed with sooo much effects and gain they hardly had any dynamic response, but the tech itself was spot on.

Dude, are you in 2004? That has been sorted out for ages.

@Logan Bodine - Days, as far as I know. Certainly not the months it took to receive my pre-order.

@Logan Bodine I'm pretty sure they are on Amazon now.

Yes, and then mix in some "Mod".....love it!!

How do You create a loop with a separate free looper app?? Please help 😊

@@michah9465 Just downloaded a free music looper on your phone. Place your phone on top of the amp, play something you want to loop and record it. Everything played from your phone comes out of the spark amp so you can play over it. Kind of a poor man’s work around, but it works. Wouldn’t suggest stacking multiple loops on top of each other, but it’s good enough to practice over an idea.

Did I miss the clean tones - just went through again and the best I could find was the H&K comparison.

@@pdp977 Nah. I don't think he demoed any clean stuff. I was just saying I like the clean tones on my spark. I use it mostly for practice and it's great for that.

That has been my experience too - I’m good through mid breakup but past that it’s a no from me dawg

@@GearGasms Yeah I just use it for metronome stuff and practicing scales. I love running backing tracks through it and playing along through my Hiwatt and bassman. Good times.

@@GearGasms I picked mine up for like $180 shipped when they were running a sale, so for the price of a nicer pedal on my board, overall I’m super happy with the Spark. Thankfully Pos. Grid has their act together and the software works like a charm. But overall I agree with you, mid down to low breakup I like the sounds you can get. Higher gain and this thing isn’t “awesome” just “practice-y.” I know everyone comments on the massive low end, but maybe mine’s from a batch that got tweaked, I don’t find it to be overly bassy at all 🤷🏻‍♂️

How has it benen so far?

mine comes in 5 months😫

@@derarken73 thats not good and I still havent had a chance to open mine yet as I ended up with Covid 19....almost over that now though but still havent touched my guitars which I sitting there waiting to be played, got a new G n L Legacy tribute which I have even opened too!! 😔

That was a genuine LOL! from me!! Thanks!

LOL My order took about 2 weeks longer than it was supposed to, it's worth the wait, at least that's what I kept telling myself. When it arrived, I took it out of the box and jammed out for something like 6 hours, and didn't notice the passage of time, while exploring all the features and different tones.

Goodness! Cant u wait?!

Obviously you're kidding but if you honestly ordered one and still haven't received it you should contact support. I ordered mine around 3 months ago and received it in 3 weeks.

Hey I’m unsure where you are from. But the website GuitarGuitar doesn’t advertise this amp on there website however if you use live chat they will send you a link and a private code to order one and it will arrive next day.

Agreed. For the 95% of people that will never play live in front of an audience, it really is all you need, particularly if you can't go super loud. I really wish I had 1 or 2 great tube amps only and a modeler like the spark. That's really all I need. Instead I look at all the money I've wasted hah

5 months really?? Where do you live? I'm thinking about ordering one from Amazon. I'm in Connecticut. I have a tube amp. Peavey 6505 and a 5150 2x12 cab. But I want something to practice and noodle on while I'm sitting in my living room. Sorry to hear you never got yours. That's beat dude.

@@williamdistasio9358 It seems like it's gotten a LOT better since last year, but didn't appreciate how the company treated its customers. Seems like a good amp, but since that (failed) order, I'm getting more into plug-ins.

Dido

Since you own the spark: Have you used the chord finder feature? Is it somehow useful to you? Thanks!

@@madaeon1 yea it's handy,but I use it more for genetic backing tracks,so I can play improvised solo's over the top,I mainly love the amount of amp pedal combinations I can play with and Tweek.

@@heavybrett-al4082 Thanks for your insight! I still want this comparison of THRII and Spark, since I own a THRII.

@@madaeon1 once I got the spark,I sold my Yamaha thrx,don't get me wrong the thrx was great,it's just the spark did everything that did,plus more.

Same, best amp purchase I've ever made it's my daily driver for motivation and practice.

Spark amp is not designed to be miced.

That is the point. In the same price I could buy Tube15 from Harley Benton or small Marshall dsl1. But this is hard to compare while most of the Spark reviews are recorded via USB only. And that sucks even in terms of review itself.

@@PunitSoni00 No. Not at all. It has decent little speakers, but they are for just noodling - not really for tone.

@Randy Aus Noone said about cab. I was saying about little tube combos. Marshall dsl1cr is 1W tube combo.

I've seen some vids with them having a mic. Seemed to be pretty decent.

As a spark owner, its all in this dudes mix. They sound damn close if not exact in person

Following this!

don't forget that's the USB line out sound its speakers don't sound even near to that, that's not the sound you'll ear when you are practicing for example and 99% of players don't practice listening their amp through a DAW

And 1/10 the cost or at least 1/5

Yeah lower gain maybe up to mid gain, I feel like it’s great for the price (especially if it’s on sale, I grabbed mine for $180 shipped, that’s like the price of a good FX pedal.) I don’t find my unit particularly bassy, but I don’t connect it to my DAW either, just in the living room practice stuff. the ios app works like a charm, which you can’t say for many “software dependent” gear options. But higher gain is spiky, for sure. But for the size of the speakers, and what it can do -well-? totally worth it. IMO, YMMV.

Check out Spark Amp Mods Facebook group, already have a cab out mod as well as a Bluetooth footswitch. Only thing, warranty is no good but, it isn't a big deal for the results.

I think the tube amps sound more open and airy

I agree, For the price though its still a good practice amp or in my case a camper amp

@@PainterDans I would say much more than just a basic practice Amp!

I just bought one and got in about a week and a half.

My thoughts exactly. I have the Spark but am seriously considering the THR wireless as an alternative. I think the Spark is trying to be a jack of all trades and I’m more interested in good tone. I’ve had some issues with the Spark app too.

I agree. I was hoping for a head to head against the Yamaha THR. I’m sure most of us don’t have a half dozen $1,000 plus amp heads that are interested in the Spark or THR. But it was cool to see how the Spark sounds against the big boys. Please make a video comparing the Yamaha against the Positive Grid

I have both the Spark 40 and a THR10ii. In general, I prefer the Yamaha. I think it's better made and I think the sound from it is more balanced. One of the differences between the Spark and the Yamaha is that the Spark aims to emulate specific amplifiers and, to a lesser degree, effects whilst the Yamaha doesn't as much. Similar to the Katana (which I also have) the THR has settings for Clean, Crunch, Lead, Hi Gain, and "Special" (which is extra hi-gain) as well as acoustic, bass and flat settings. You do have the choice of "original", "modern" or "boutique" which are differently voiced, but these aren't specifically modeled on real-world amplifiers. I think they are designed to be a bit more generic than that. The Yammy doesn't have the online cloud based tone library or some of the other app based tools, but I'm not really that impressed with the Spark's app tools. The tone library is awful to navigate and find tones in, largely because anyone can upload to it (so it's littered with copies of the factory presets) and there is limited filtering and zero curation. The tuner on the Spark is useless. I find the RU-vid/music player on the app a bit limiting, and the feature where it analyses the chords is not very accurate. For me I prefer the standard RU-vid app and using backing tracks which list the chord sequences. As I said, I prefer the Yamaha sound, but I'm not the sort of person who feels he has to try to emulate specific amp models. I can get close enough in most cases using the onboard amp models and tweaking the tone. The THR also has different cabinet models which helps with tone tweaking a lot. The Spark does not. You can download tones for the THR from various websites and install them if you want, or save tones you have created. The Spark sounds bass heavy and unbalanced to me when using the onboard speakers, particularly when using it as a Bluetooth speaker. It sounds much better through the USB. Using it with a bass guitar, the Spark gives much better bass response. But the Yamaha isn't bad and actually sounds more refined to my ears. The Spark sounds a bit artificial. The Yamaha also has the option for an onboard battery and a wireless transmitter. The battery on mine lasts over 5 hours of continuous use. Having said that, the Yamaha is a bit more expensive, quite a bit more if you go for the THR30ii. For the money, the Spark is OK if you need something small, portable-ish and versatile that can act as a Bluetooth speaker, but the THR is better as a Bluetooth speaker IMO. If you want something more like a real amp, then for the same money I would look at something like the Katana or the Fender Mustang which, IMO are much better sounding, but aren't as useful as a Bluetooth speaker (the Katana can't Bluetooth at all unless you add a £20 Bluetooth receiver to the aux in). Obviously they aren't as portable and will take up more space, but they will sound better. You could easily gig with a Katana, but will also work at bedroom volumes. A Spark is for bedroom/home use only. It can get fairly loud, but it wouldn't keep up with a drummer and bass player in a rehearsal room. The other one to look at is the Line 6 Amplifi. This offers most of the facilities of the Spark for around the same price, and has much more versatility when it comes to tones: it has more amp models, cabinet models, more effects, and you can alter the order of the effects chain. It also has a better cloud based tone library, although it still suffers from not being curated, and you can match the tone to the song. I've also heard good things about the Blackstar range, including the BEAM, although I've never used one myself.

@@KeithMilner don’t forget the Spark is $250 shipped to your door. The Yamaha is $499 and $599.

@@anthonymiller3970 Yes, I said it was good for the money. But for about the same money as the Spark you could get a Katana 50 which, depending on your requirements, might be better. And the THR10ii is $299, so about $50 more than the Spark.

A good choice IMO. The Spark is OK for the money, but it's been massively overhyped and it is really just a home practice amp. The Katana sounds much better as long as you aren't looking to emulate specific amp sounds: it's it's own thing and it sounds great, and has a boatload of onboard effects which, frankly, are much better than the selection you currently have on the Spark. And it's a proper amp you can even gig with. Disclaimer: I have a Spark 40 and a Katana 100 mk1

I'm just curious as to why you'd try and find an American made Marhsall... they've always been made in England.

@@lifeshifts He's Canadian.