You're gonna HATE me for this SPARK 40 practice amp review (but it's the TRUTH)

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This Positive Grid Spark 40 guitar amplifier review is best accompanied by the Spark Control footswitch review I did a few months ago: • THE TRUTH about SPARK ...
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Although this Spark 40 review is not about the Positive Grid Spark Mini guitar amp, the Mini is similar in a lot of ways to the Spark 40. I don't know which I prefer because I don't have experience with the Mini. Positive Grid, are you listening? Send me one for review! :)
I bought this Spark 40 for $278 with my own money back on July 11, 2021. This review is a long time coming and among all the Spark 40 reviews on RU-vid, I'm willing to bet mine is based on the most hands on hours of use of the amp.
Let me quit burying the lede: this is the best home practice amp you can buy for beginning guitarists or anybody who never plays live, which is most guitarists.
I'm going to get slaughtered for saying this because it's as controversial as the toanwood debate, but you don't need a beautiful and loud (and expensive!) tube amp if you don't play live. It's just unnecessary. Yeah they sound great, but not if you're playing at 1. Gotta turn those bad boys up to 11 (and at home that means using something like a Two Notes Captor so you don't go deaf). But, of course, you should get whatever you want. No judgement here!
The Spark 40 has just about everything you could want in a practice amp. You can jam along to RU-vid or other music. It has some unique practice options (that I don't actually use often). There's a headphone jack if you need to be really quiet. And there are an endless possibility of tone options with the dozens of amp and pedal models.
Positive Grid says over 10,000 tones have been uploaded to the Tone Cloud for you to download and play with and I don't doubt that. Choose your favorite band's iconic sound, and I'll bet someone has recreated it for you in the Tone Cloud. But you can also create your own custom tones using any combination of amps and effects. There are dozens of amp and effects models for you to customize.
That said, it's not all perfect: this amp is useless without the app (Android or iOS) and the on board tone options are not all that good. There are 4 slots for your own custom presets and I've used those in basically every guitar review you've seen on this channel.
Let me repeat that: if you've ever liked a guitar tone you've heard on this channel it is more than likely from a Spark 40 ToneCloud preset. (Or one that I've customized.) Unless it's a pedal demo in which case I usually plug directly into my Macbok with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo.
And another "negative": some people seem to have issues connecting to the Spark 40 amp via the Spark Control app. I talk about that in this review as well.
But even with all of that, I crown this the best practice amp you can buy. No, it's not cheap, but it replaces the need for buying any pedals or an audio interface (a Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface is over $100 on its own) since you can plug it into your computer via USB.
MENTIONED or USED IN THIS VIDEO:
➤ The USB C cable I use to connect the Spark 40 to my Macbook: amzn.to/40OARMe (aff link)
➤ Spark Control footswitch review: • THE TRUTH about SPARK ...
➤ Mitchell MS450, the best cheap electric guitar under $300: • THE BEST CHEAP ELECTRI...
➤ artofshred.com/riffcity/ Free to join guitar newsletter
Thanks for watching!

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Опубликовано:

12 фев 2023

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Комментарии : 101

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

🤘Thanks for watching! Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@artofshredyt?sub_confirmation=1

@HashiAkitaPuppy Год назад

You are absolutely right, you don't need a half-stack for home use, it's an absurd proposition. What you need is a FULL STACK!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Haha!

@realSPACEYY Год назад

I got this amp after watching another video you made on a firefly guitar . I love this amp im about to take lessons im hyped ! It has a tone of tones that are in my taste . Thanks for the advice

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

oh hell yeah! You made my day. Comments like yours are the reason I make these videos

@adventureawaits3646 Год назад

I've had mine for a while, ordered when they came out. Love it, sits on a cheap guitar stand under my desk and it's pretty much the only amp I've been using, actually thinking about selling some of the others that are just catching dust. I don't play live or outside the house. I also have the Mini, doesn't sound quite as good as the 40 to my ears, but handy to carry around or take outside since there are no cables. I did also just receive the new GO, but that one is going right back, sound is just not good. All work with the great app, which is really where it's at with the Sparks, so easy to use, amazing sounds, fun practice options, just about perfect for me. I don't have the foot switch, so far had no need for it, but I just play for my own entertainment. Maybe someday if there's a good sale. Great review.

@user-ev9qw3om1g Год назад

I had to wait a while for delivery because I pre-ordered mine it was worth the wait.

@ksmith18 3 месяца назад

thanks Karol… I enjoy your reviews and agree and sometimes disagree with you. But that is what is supposed to happen right? Keep on rocking and Im gonna keep watchin. Peace my friend !

@ArtOfShredYT 3 месяца назад

For sure! Thanks for watching & commenting! 🤘

@dogzillamonster Год назад

Love this amp so much that I bought THREE of them, for convenience in different rooms/floors :) The new Mini may be worth looking into too, for maybe a bedroom. It is worth spending a little time enjoying how to use the app for sure and it apparently works perfectly also with the Mini.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Whoa, nice! Thanks for sharing

@neleig Месяц назад

I like the real-time review and the real-world usage, without editing or dubbing. Shows what it is truly like to use. And I liked what I saw. Thanks.

@ArtOfShredYT Месяц назад

Happy you liked it! I try to be as real as possible with these reviews, even when I'm editing. In any case, I still love the Spark 40 and use it daily! 🤘

@Ken-yg4um Год назад

I have been using this amp regularly I purchased 5 months ago and brought it over a friend's to jam and he loved it ! We are both experienced player's and we couldn't get over how amazing it sounds ❤️

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Thanks for sharing! It really is a good modeling amp 🤘🎸

@Wooooahhh6272 10 месяцев назад

I’ve read that there’s technical issues with the alp over time. Have you run into any yet?

@ArtOfShredYT 10 месяцев назад

I have had a connection issue or two, but it's pretty rare. Firmware updates and app updates are fairly regular

@josephallen6042 Год назад

Great video! Do you think it would be easy to get lost in the app looking for tones and trying new ones, since I am new to guitar and don't really have a great idea of what I would like or be looking for? Also, have you had any more app connectivity issues since this video? Thanks!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Thank you! Yes, it's easy to get lost in the app, but in a good way. Easy to spend hours testing and editing tones. It's fun, though! I've had no other connectivity issues since making this video but obviously that's no guarantee it won't happen.

@shalomshalom735 Год назад

I only use Spark 40 at home. I have other amps, but it's just way way way way too convenient compared to all others. great amp!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Thanks for sharing. It's definitely convenient!

@davel_ggw Год назад

True, you do not need a half stack for home use, but it is awesome! Seriously though, even at not insane volumes, it still sounds amazing, and is very rewarding. But, I love the Spark too! For great tones at truly low volume (or louder), with all the effects most people need at your fingertips, I don't think it can be beat. And it is a great sounding Bluetooth speaker when you need one too. I even prefer it to the significantly more expensive Yamaha THR30-II that I briefly had, in every way. Now to go download some of those tones... :)

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Haha, a half stack is definitely awesome and more power to anyone who has family and neighbors who can tolerate one 😂

@steveperlstein3744 8 месяцев назад

Really informative video, thanks! My Vox VT-30 modeling amp, which I love, just gave up on me, so I’m in the market. I love the features on this, but a question: How’s the actual sound and volume of the speakers? I’m currently at the open mic stage, so my amp doesn’t need to be too loud, and when I graduate to a band setting I could get the matching speaker cabinet that Spark sells.

@ArtOfShredYT 8 месяцев назад

Open mic? No problem. The sound and volume are good. Live band? Possibly only with the speaker cab but I haven't tested it.

@rockothepig Год назад

Great video.. thx! Ditched my Marshall since I couldn’t turn it up over 2 in the house! Lol

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Hehe, I hear that! Obviously amazing amps but best for the stage or studio. Tough to beat one of these Sparks for home

@rockothepig Год назад

@@ArtOfShredYT ok, so qq if ya don’t mind. Hear that the app runs better on apple vs android? I have both, so…

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

@@rockothepig I don't actually know. I've only tested on Android. But it would make sense since iOS doesn't have to work with the quirks of so many different phones so it's likely easier to make it work smoothly across devices

@PortofinoArts Год назад

Thank you!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

You're welcome!

@clubluchacreativa 8 месяцев назад

Do you think this amp could be used live if used together with the new Spark CAB they've just released? Or it still could not compare with a "real" amp..?

@ArtOfShredYT 8 месяцев назад

It would likely be loud enough but I haven't played live for many years so I might be the wrong person to ask. I'd personally use something else live unless it was a coffee shop or busking situation.

@justmehere6094 Год назад

First, the amp select knob on the far left is exactly that. It selects an amp model, not a preset, on whatever preset, or knob settings the amp is currently on. Yes, you SHOULD use the app, if for no other reason, than to set up your 4 presets to use. But doing it once, you could get by without the app after that. Though changing settings on stomp boxes or fx would be impossible with just the amp controls. Bottom line, is you COULD get by day to day, without the amp.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Yeah, that's essentially what I said in the video

@TheCatwolfman Год назад

Thanks for the video!!, question: if you plug in a looper and record one tone as the base, but then you want to play over it using another tone to give a different sound, does the old sound from the looper change with the new selected tone?

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Yeah, if you loop before the signal hits the amp then it's going to be whatever tone you have set on the amp. I don't see a way around that.

@TheCatwolfman Год назад

@@ArtOfShredYT thanks!! that is what I thought, same issue I had with the Line6 Amplifi150.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Yeah that makes sense, I think you'd need two outputs to do what you want. But I am not very experienced with looping so maybe there is some other way.

@franksylva9031 11 месяцев назад

Does the jam function allow you to change the time signature or is it only 4/4?

@ArtOfShredYT 11 месяцев назад

4/4 only as far as I can tell

@Regantdarcy Год назад

Would you suggest getting the Spark Mini over this? Since both are best when used with the app…i was thinking the mini might be more cost effective for the same app features

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Mini's better if you want a little better/louder speaker or if you maybe want to busk. GO is great for bedroom use, headphone use, portability, and recording demos.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Whoops I thought you were commenting on the GO video. Ha. 40 is great but yeah if cost is an issue you could go with the Mini without losing much.

@TheAndybow1964 Месяц назад

I have nice very clean Laney amp rated at 65 Watts. It's kind of a blank canvas. If you want the Spark to play in a live situation just take a 1/8 to 1/4 cable from the headphone jack on the spark (volume very low!) and put into the return on the effects loop. With the laney and I'm assuming other amps it's sounds perfect

@ArtOfShredYT Месяц назад

I think some of the issue is less the volume from the amp and more if you're using the Spark with the footswitch and app then things can go south fairly easily.

@demayoexperience6646 Год назад

How about this one vs NUX mighty space? Which one would it be the better purchase?

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

I don't know. I haven't played that one but I plan to review it eventually. It looks okay though. My only experience with Nux so far is this faulty looper that I bought new ru-vid.come9pyCwWg7gk

@mrny3405 9 месяцев назад

New to Spark what username do I search for to dwld your Spark presets?

@ArtOfShredYT 9 месяцев назад

Art of Shred should be it. Let me know if you can't find it

@Corpsegrinder138 Год назад

Getting the external battery pack for it is the best purchase I’ve ever made! I can get days of use before I have to charge it.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Nice! I don't have that. Which did you buy?

@Corpsegrinder138 Год назад

@@ArtOfShredYT Amazon.

@standardvideoproductions1950 Год назад

Professional musicians want to compare this amp to thousand dollar amps. This is the best "Buddy" that you could possibly purchase for the price and it has helped me advance my craft tremendously. It's a question of personal choice but the SPARK 40 easily beats any comparable priced amps without the application.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Happy to hear it has helped you advance your craft!

@dogzillamonster Год назад

If you are both smart enough and willing to take advantage of the Spark40's app then it's an absolutely brilliant amp. I have three of them, around the house. Bought a Mini iPad to make using the app more convenient than from the phone. Good demo, thanks. edit: oh, I already commented about this :)

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Nice! Thanks for sharing! 🤘

@dogzillamonster Год назад

@@ArtOfShredYT Again, thoughtful demo, really enjoyed it. Picked up a git for the first time in months and turned on a Spark! :) Good inspiration.

@donmilland7606 Год назад

My Spark 40 has been cutting out intermittently.- either with the guitar or computer USB connection. Each dead period lasts for a minute or 2. Firmware update did not resolve the issue. So right now its useful only to hold the door open or as step to reach high places. I'm waiting to hear from PG. BOO!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Damn, thanks for sharing. Hope it gets resolved soon!

@wealthfinder192 2 месяца назад

The app has a lot of connection issues. Especially it seems when you try to use the tuner. It will freeze after about 1 minute. You need to turn it all off then on again. Also I found using wireless guitar system make sure you do not have the guitar wireless system set to the same as your internet connection or it will override your internet or wifi. So if your guitar wireless is 2.4G make sure your wifi is 5G and vise versa. This will prevent a lot of freezes when trying to use the spark. Doesn't happen to me until I turn on the spark so take that and do with it as you want. I love the factory settings for the metal sound and I can get a decent clean sound so it is useable without having to go through the app and a lot less hassle. So with or without the app it is useable. To me..

@ArtOfShredYT 2 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing with the community! 🤘

@lleonardi Год назад

true. tone wise this amp isnt the best, obviously. but it is on different market on its own. which is genius move "product-wise". lot of functions that makes you "pick up your guitar". which is the point for people who looking for an amp of this size and price.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

I agree with you. Solid amp, solid tones (and lots of them), fills a specific market niche

@NobodyImportant74 8 месяцев назад

thanks

@ArtOfShredYT 8 месяцев назад

You're welcome

@EleonoraPicca1 6 месяцев назад

I have bought one and returned it. I really don’t like the sound, it is bassy and muddy. The EQ helps, but not with the bluetooth audio from the phone. But the app is really cool

@ArtOfShredYT 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for sharing! I'm happy with the sound but it definitely requires some EQ tweaks

@daniellarson3068 Год назад

You know - If they put the electronics into a pedal and you could output all those sounds to another amp, I think they would sell a LOT. All those sounds from the tone cloud downloaded into a pedal and into ANY amp. I don't have their amp. I would get the pedal.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Spark GO is almost what you want ... it's a very small guitar amp with the same tones as the Spark 40 and Mini amps. I pre-ordered it and will have a review as soon as I can but it's not shipping until May.

@daniellarson3068 Год назад

@@ArtOfShredYT Yes - I just looked at that. It has a headphone output jack. Perhaps that could be adapted to supply another amp and just use it as a pedal. Thanks

@miker2702 9 месяцев назад

The Spark positive grid , I didn’t like it couldn’t get a good sound out of it and as I only play at home you cannot use a microphone through it . But did make a profit on it, so not all bad 😂

@ArtOfShredYT 9 месяцев назад

Interesting

@petschem 8 месяцев назад

I wonder if there's a bad batch. Your comment is only 3 weeks old. I bought and returned mine in the same day last week, because I thought it sounded awful and was cutting out. Given the time frame, I wonder if the latest ones have QA issues.

@capitanvonchickenpants8492 7 месяцев назад

I bought a nux mighty 8 bt and the little speaker sounds terrible very disappointed

@ArtOfShredYT 7 месяцев назад

Thanks for sharing. I've never tried one of those.

@clarkepersonal9213 Год назад

Interesting... I hardly ever use the app.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

That's cool, so you just use the default presets?

@bjunk5344 9 месяцев назад

It works fine on my note 202 Ultra. I think it's awesome Joe Satriani made this video under his pseudo "art of shred"

@ArtOfShredYT 9 месяцев назад

Joe's my uncle's cousin's brother's neighbor's friend

@jaydenrossi2094 9 месяцев назад

what do you mean by you can play over youtube videos

@ArtOfShredYT 9 месяцев назад

Through the app you can play along

@petschem 8 месяцев назад

I must have gotten a lemon. I got one last week. Returned it the same day. It was cutting out. Sound was super muffled. (not bass-y. Muffled). Oh well.

@ArtOfShredYT 8 месяцев назад

Oh damn that's too bad. But I guess it's bound to happen sometimes. Thanks for sharing your experience

@psalmsbyharvz81 Год назад

Is it just me? Looking at the thumbnail, I thought he didn't have a right hand 😅

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

You're not the first to notice that haha

@LuvhandleR Год назад

First!

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

Second!

@ronr2445 Год назад

I like it and I own one ...BUT...I disagree with the statement "if your going to use it with out the app don't do it".... I never use the app it sucks...I see so many tubers saying its so easy to use and this is not true..."I think they get payed to say that"...The app is a nightmare and very complicated. Getting the pedal to connect is hit and miss at best and will not work without the app so don't bother with it. This amp is mediocre at best ... Just buy a Blue jr or Katana 50 and you will have a better experience. Just like this guy this is just my opinion...your mileage may very... But if your looking for something that is easy to use and sounds great this is not it. PS for this kind of money and you have to add a battery this thing is no bargain. When I bought it I got the peddle and case and henderix bundle so it came to about 450ish with tax ..... there are many more amps out there at this price point that crushes this thing full stop.

@ArtOfShredYT Год назад

I wish I was paid for this 🤣 But thanks for sharing your experience