Positive Grid Spark Review 2024 – Best Practice Amp for 90% of The Players

Let’s dive deep to Positive Grid Spark Amp. It’s a good amp but not for everyone. I received this amp for free from Positive Grid, but this review is entirely unbiased as I’m not being paid for this. Here, I openly discuss what I did and didn’t like about this amp.

Since recieving this amp, we have moved to completetly non-sponsored way of operating. We do not take free products. But we still have to publish these articles we promised to publish previously.

Author: Teemu Suomala

I first grabbed the guitar in 2009. I started this website in January 2020 because I couldn’t do window installation anymore due to my health problems. I love guitars and have played dozens and dozens of different guitars through different amps and pedals over the years, and also, building a website interested me, so I decided to just go for it! I got lucky and managed to get awesome people to help me with my website.

I also got lucky because I have you visiting my website right now. Thank you. I do all this for you guys. If you have any recommendations, tips, or feedback, just leave a comment, I would love to chat with you. I have also been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as Songsterr, Musicnotes, GuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar.

I spend my spare time exercising and hanging out with my wife and crazy dog (I guess that went the right way…).

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I have spent more than 20 hours playing with various features of this amp, from smart jam to metronome and backing tracks. I have tested pretty much everything. So…

Do I Recommend This Amp?

Absolutely, and there are a few key reasons for this. Firstly, this amp has significantly increased my playing and practicing time, more so than my Boss Katana M50 MKII. The Spark Amp’s variety of ‘done-for-you’ presets on Positive Grid’s cloud servers are the main reason for this, since there are presets for a wide range of my favorite songs and bands.

If you want to see a video review, watch this:

Specs

Features

These key features impressed me:

1. Done-For-You Presets (my fav): The cloud-based presets tailored for popular songs and bands significantly boosted my practice efficiency and enjoyment.
2. Ease of Use: The simple control and straightforward Bluetooth connectivity make it accessible for players of all skill levels.
3. Portability and Versatility: Its compact size is ideal for small spaces or for traveling musicians. Additionally, it doubles effectively as both a bass and an acoustic guitar amp.
4. Rich Feature Set: The amp comes packed with diverse amp models and effects, allowing for extensive sound customization.
5. Great for Practice: Backing track, AI drummer, and Metronome are excellent practice buddies.

Here are most of the amps features listed:

Amps:

Effects:

Some of the other features:

• Metronome
• Tuner
• Backing track
• AI Drummer
• Done for you tone presets
• Guitar video creator/editor

Usability

Sparks many features can raise a question…it is easy to use? Based on my test, the usability of the Positive Grid Spark Amp is easy to use. Here’s why:

1. User-Friendly Interface: The amp’s controls (control panel) are straightforward and simple. Even for those new to amplifiers, it’s relatively easy to navigate and use effectively.
2. Bluetooth Connectivity: Connecting to Bluetooth is a breeze. It’s a feature that I think most users can handle without hassle, enhancing the amp’s overall accessibility. However it should be noted that Bluetooth connection issues can happen. I have had minor issues a couple of times.
3. Versatility for Different Instruments: You can use Spark with electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass.
4. App Integration: The Spark app is a standout feature and main selling point. The app is easy to use in my opinion. Of course, there are many features and this can feel overwhelming at first.
5. Practicality for Home Use: Its size and volume range make it an ideal amp for home practice. It’s neither too large nor too loud for small spaces, yet it delivers a great quality sound with nice features.

Design & Build Quality

It’s a portable and nice-looking amp. Here are my thoughts based on using this amp a lot:

1. Sleek and Stylish Design: The Spark Amp stands out with its modern, simple, and attractive design. It’s not just another amp – it has a certain flair that makes it a standout piece in any room or studio. I like that it doesn’t stick your eyes too much tho.
2. Compact and Portable: Its size is a huge plus. It’s small enough to be compatible with pretty much any home setting yet large enough to pack a punch with its sound. The portability is an added bonus for musicians on the move.
3. Sturdy Build: Despite its compact size, the Spark Amp feels solid and durable. It’s built to withstand regular use, making it reliable for both practice and recording sessions.
4. Quality Materials: From the textured vinyl covering to the custom black/brown grille cloth, the materials used in the Spark Amp are really good to me. It doesn’t feel like a cheap amp.

Sound

Regarding sound quality, the Spark Amp has exceeded my expectations for its price range. While it might not be the absolute best-sounding amp on the market, it holds its own against amps like the Boss Katana M50 MK2 and Fender Mustang LT25, especially when it comes to practice sessions and casual play.

And the versatility is there. When you leverage the Spark app you have 100s of done for your presets to choose from. In addition to that, there are dozens of different amps and pedals to choose from when shaping your tone.

Do I use all these features…most likely not. But the price of this amp is still so competitive that even if I don’t use all the bells and whistles, it’s worth the money.

If you need more volume than Spark with its 40 watts has to offer, there are other options like Boss Katana 50 MKII available.

Check the full sound demo:

Value For The Money

In my time with the Positive Grid Spark Amp, its value for money has been a standout aspect. Here’s my take on why it offers excellent value:

1. Competitive Pricing: Priced around $299, the Spark Amp sits in a sweet spot. It’s affordable enough for beginners and those on a budget, yet offers features usually found in higher-priced models.
2. Feature-Rich for the Price: The wealth of features it packs at this price point is impressive. From various amp models, a multitude of effects, to smart jam functions and backing tracks – it’s a complete package.
3. Great Sound Quality: The sound quality is more than satisfactory for its price. It competes well with more expensive amps, offering clean to high-gain tones, making it a versatile choice for various music styles.
4. User-Friendly Experience: Its ease of use adds to its value. Whether it’s the intuitive app or the straightforward controls on the amp itself, it caters to users of all skill levels.
5. Robust Build and Design: The build quality and design don’t feel compromised, despite its affordability. It looks and feels like a premium product.
6. Suitable for a Wide Audience: This amp is ideal for a broad range of guitarists – from those needing a practice amp to those in small apartments or needing something portable. Its versatility enhances its value.
7. Long-Term Enjoyment and Usefulness: With features like Bluetooth connectivity and a wide array of tones, it’s an amp that can grow with the user, making it a wise long-term investment.

Verdict

Amp Features and Ratings

• Features (5/5): The app’s features, like the AI drummer and the organized backing tracks, are exceptional for this price point.
• Versatility and Usability (4.5/5): Despite its feature-packed nature, the amp and the app are incredibly user-friendly. I encountered some minor issues, but they didn’t significantly affect the overall experience.
• Design and Build Quality (5/5): The amp boasts a great look and feels high quality, especially considering it’s a budget amp.
• Sound Quality (4.5/5): The versatility in sound from clean to high gain is impressive. Some presets may need tweaking, but the overall sound quality is solid for the price.
• Value for Money (5/5): Priced at just under $300, the amp offers amazing value, particularly as a practice amp.

Final Verdict Overall, I rate the Positive Grid Spark Amp at 4.7 out of 5. It’s an excellent choice for home and apartment use. While there are better-sounding amps available, the Spark Amp’s versatility makes it a near-perfect practice amp.

Alternatives

Fender Mustang LT25

The Fender Mustang LT 25 is a great practice/beginner guitar amp if you are on a budget.

It’s versatile, easy to use, and sounds good. You have a lot of tone options with the amp itself, plus if you use the Fender Tone app these tone options grow exponentially(connect via USB).

Personally, I think that this Mustang is the best under $200 amp for most players (note that this doesn’t have Bluetooth).

Check the full review of Fender Mustang LT25 here.

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BOss katana 50 mkii

If you want an amp that will serve you for a long time without you outgrowing it, Katana 50MKII is an excellent option. It can get loud, it’s versatile, it sounds good, and it’s extremely easy to use. If you do not want Bluetooth, but still want an amp for life, this is a great option.

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VOX Valvetronix 20

If you do not want Bluetooth, but want excellent modeled tube tones without buying a tube amp. This is the top dog. It’s not the easiest to use, but I regret selling this bad boy to this day.

Check the full review of VOX Valvetronix 20 here.

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Boss Katana Mini

If you are after metal tones and portability, I highly recommend you check Boss Katana Mini out ASAP (this is also cheap).

Check the full review of Boss Katana Mini here.

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