Brutally Honest Gear Reviews! #5: POSITIVE GRID SPARK 40 (Out of the box/hardware edition)

-I said, "Keep your money, this needs to be completely unbiased!"
Thanks!!!

[TheArtofGuitar]

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.

[TheArtofGuitar]

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.

[jrigwald]

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!

[hipflask]

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

[davidsteuer]

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.

[markmunday]

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 !

[PUTTZ]

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.

[EULE-EuropaLeben]

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!

[ryanheard]

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!

[tonedeth]

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.

[LowRocks]

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.

[Ogrelord]

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.

[chaindriven]

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...

[HannahCope]

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.

[itsalwayssomething]

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.

[bsmith]

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.

[mattdad]

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.

[colinleecolenzot]

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!!!

[robertkeenan]

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

[c-live-vids]

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!