Anyone use a Positive Grid Spark?

[shoeless]

There's a Spark 40 for sale on my local CL for $140. Seems like a reasonable price since new ones are going $250. I poked around some videos on the Positive Grid website and is seems like it's more of a practice/learning/recording tool than a gigging amp. The seller said that's what he used it for, and that it never left the basement. Not sure how I feel about doing all the settings with a touchscreen on a phone, but I can see pros and cons for that. I like that it can be used for acoustic and bass in addition to a standard electric guitar.

Anyway, anyone use one? Useful or no?

 

[dodgechargerfan]

I have one.
I like it. I use it in my office a lot.

I got the version 2 at the upgrade/intro price as well. I have yet to dive into the newer features, but the sound is great.

Some things to note with the original Spark 40.
It IS a practice amp.
You could gig it, but expect to mic it. Expect it to not be a great monitor for loud stages.
There are mods for sending output to something else.
You can do headphones out to a powered speaker. Needs a specific cable to either sum the two channels or split the two channels and go into a stereo powered speaker.

Don’t do any of that. It works but it’s the one thing everyone birches about and asks for help with in the groups.
It’s not difficult. It’s just a workaround to get something out of the amp that it wasn’t intended to do.


You can’t really loop with it.
You can put a looper in front, but if you wanted to record a loop, change tones and then play over the recorded loop, it’s not going to work.
Because the looper is on front and it’s going to feed your dry signal into the tone engine to whatever setting is current.

Sure, you can set the amp to a clean tone, front it with a bunch of pedals into a looper and go that route, but then you’re effectively bypassing the entire reason for the amp - the modelling.

There’s more that people have griped about, but mostly because they wanted it to do more than was ever intended.
Positive Grid HAS release new gear that addresses all of the gripes.
The Edge is a cool busker-in-a-box machine, for example. It was released last week. So, not quite shipping yet.

There is a powered cab that works well with the Spark40 that makes it giggable as a head-cab kind of setup.

There is the Spark Live which is more of a gig-ready solution.


Anyway, back to the Spark40.
If you dial in 4 tones that you like, you can save them to the amp and never touch the app again.
You can even get a foot switch to switch the presets.

It’s a bit boomy. Get it off the floor and it gets a lot better. Utilize the EQ, or put one in front and you can make it better.

Also, about the built-in EQ: it eats up the modulation slot in the chain. So, EQ or chorus/phase. You must choose.
There are slots for delay and reverb though. So, you’re good there.
Also, you can’t change the order of the effects in the chain. (I hacked it to work, but haven’t used it at all since.)
Also, you can’t stack similar effects. So, one drive/fuzz/distortion; one modulation, etc…


Despite all the gripes, I still like it and use it at least once a week.
I plan to setup the Spark 40 and the Spark 2 on an amp selector and also goof around with wet/dry or stereo type setups.

Upgrades require a PC or Mac.
The newer models can be upgraded over WiFi with the app, but the 40 needs USB and a personal computer. (Last time I checked..)
Some people managed to brick their amps while upgrading. I’ve never had any real issues.

If you download from the cloud, each tone will have its own volume setting.
Expect to have to adjust it to your liking and then save the new settings.
A lot of people griped about that “Why is the volume different for each preset?” Blah blah blah….

It’s a blast running through all of the tones that people upload to the cloud.

 

[shoeless]

I have one.
I like it. I use it in my office a lot.

I got the version 2 at the upgrade/intro price as well. I have yet to dive into the newer features, but the sound is great.

Some things to note with the original Spark 40.
It IS a practice amp.
You could gig it, but expect to mic it. Expect it to not be a great monitor for loud stages.
There are mods for sending output to something else.
You can do headphones out to a powered speaker. Needs a specific cable to either sum the two channels or split the two channels and go into a stereo powered speaker.

Don’t do any of that. It works but it’s the one thing everyone birches about and asks for help with in the groups.
It’s not difficult. It’s just a workaround to get something out of the amp that it wasn’t intended to do.


You can’t really loop with it.
You can put a looper in front, but if you wanted to record a loop, change tones and then play over the recorded loop, it’s not going to work.
Because the looper is on front and it’s going to feed your dry signal into the tone engine to whatever setting is current.

Sure, you can set the amp to a clean tone, front it with a bunch of pedals into a looper and go that route, but then you’re effectively bypassing the entire reason for the amp - the modelling.

There’s more that people have griped about, but mostly because they wanted it to do more than was ever intended.
Positive Grid HAS release new gear that addresses all of the gripes.
The Edge is a cool busker-in-a-box machine, for example. It was released last week. So, not quite shipping yet.

There is a powered cab that works well with the Spark40 that makes it giggable as a head-cab kind of setup.

There is the Spark Live which is more of a gig-ready solution.


Anyway, back to the Spark40.
If you dial in 4 tones that you like, you can save them to the amp and never touch the app again.
You can even get a foot switch to switch the presets.

It’s a bit boomy. Get it off the floor and it gets a lot better. Utilize the EQ, or put one in front and you can make it better.

Also, about the built-in EQ: it eats up the modulation slot in the chain. So, EQ or chorus/phase. You must choose.
There are slots for delay and reverb though. So, you’re good there.
Also, you can’t change the order of the effects in the chain. (I hacked it to work, but haven’t used it at all since.)
Also, you can’t stack similar effects. So, one drive/fuzz/distortion; one modulation, etc…


Despite all the gripes, I still like it and use it at least once a week.
I plan to setup the Spark 40 and the Spark 2 on an amp selector and also goof around with wet/dry or stereo type setups.

Upgrades require a PC or Mac.
The newer models can be upgraded over WiFi with the app, but the 40 needs USB and a personal computer. (Last time I checked..)
Some people managed to brick their amps while upgrading. I’ve never had any real issues.

If you download from the cloud, each tone will have its own volume setting.
Expect to have to adjust it to your liking and then save the new settings.
A lot of people griped about that “Why is the volume different for each preset?” Blah blah blah….

It’s a blast running through all of the tones that people upload to the cloud.

Awesome, thanks a lot for that info, it is very helpful! It's also enough to help me make a decision...think I'm going to pass. My need was marginal, at best, and given some of the things you described, it's enough to make me not want to pursue it. Thanks again!

 

[bsman]

I pretty much second everything DCF said above. I will note, though that I HAVE gigged with the little Spark GO - using it as a preamp into an acoustic amp. Worked great for that. The Spark 40 is, though, very much a practice amp. It's fun for that, although to be honest I play through my silly Vox MV-50AC (through a Fane AXA-12) and my Wangs VT-5 or even the tiny little Spark GO. However, when I'm in the mood for a particular tone for a particular song the Spark 40 is unmatched - because of the app I can usually check out at least a half-dozen or so uploaded tones that are specific to a band, an album, or even a song. That's the cool part. As an amp, it's just OK, but as a way to quickly find just the right tone without fucking around too much it's fantastic.

 

[Modern Saint]

I have a Mini Spark that I use to practice with. I went this route as I never intended to use the Spark for anything other than the following: Practice, Learn Songs, Test guitars after servicing, jam online and record with.

Now I have a friend who has the Spark 40 with the extension cab and used it at the last blues jam for backline. Works well for a bass amp but for guitar, very one dimensional. To my ears, it was very tinny, compressed and sterile for the blues environment. If you are playing rock or metal only, I might have a different viewpoint. When I practice jazz with my mini I get the notes but not the warmth that I seek. Everyone is different so others will have their opinions.

In addition, I did not see the footpedal for channel switching and almost got one for online playing but didn't bother. My understanding is the newer ones have the loop function which would be great if you loop. Sorry I don't loop anymore.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[DinoMikeSr]

Looking at the new PG Spark 2. Reading all the complaints with number of complaints about just stop working. Not going to gig with it. Won’t be moving it around either once in place. Also considering the 40. I don’t need the looper or tuner.

It’s been a year since this thread, are the still holding up?

 

[DinoMikeSr]

I have one.
I like it. I use it in my office a lot.

I got the version 2 at the upgrade/intro price as well. I have yet to dive into the newer features, but the sound is great.

Some things to note with the original Spark 40.
It IS a practice amp.
You could gig it, but expect to mic it. Expect it to not be a great monitor for loud stages.
There are mods for sending output to something else.
You can do headphones out to a powered speaker. Needs a specific cable to either sum the two channels or split the two channels and go into a stereo powered speaker.

Don’t do any of that. It works but it’s the one thing everyone birches about and asks for help with in the groups.
It’s not difficult. It’s just a workaround to get something out of the amp that it wasn’t intended to do.


You can’t really loop with it.
You can put a looper in front, but if you wanted to record a loop, change tones and then play over the recorded loop, it’s not going to work.
Because the looper is on front and it’s going to feed your dry signal into the tone engine to whatever setting is current.

Sure, you can set the amp to a clean tone, front it with a bunch of pedals into a looper and go that route, but then you’re effectively bypassing the entire reason for the amp - the modelling.

There’s more that people have griped about, but mostly because they wanted it to do more than was ever intended.
Positive Grid HAS release new gear that addresses all of the gripes.
The Edge is a cool busker-in-a-box machine, for example. It was released last week. So, not quite shipping yet.

There is a powered cab that works well with the Spark40 that makes it giggable as a head-cab kind of setup.

There is the Spark Live which is more of a gig-ready solution.


Anyway, back to the Spark40.
If you dial in 4 tones that you like, you can save them to the amp and never touch the app again.
You can even get a foot switch to switch the presets.

It’s a bit boomy. Get it off the floor and it gets a lot better. Utilize the EQ, or put one in front and you can make it better.

Also, about the built-in EQ: it eats up the modulation slot in the chain. So, EQ or chorus/phase. You must choose.
There are slots for delay and reverb though. So, you’re good there.
Also, you can’t change the order of the effects in the chain. (I hacked it to work, but haven’t used it at all since.)
Also, you can’t stack similar effects. So, one drive/fuzz/distortion; one modulation, etc…


Despite all the gripes, I still like it and use it at least once a week.
I plan to setup the Spark 40 and the Spark 2 on an amp selector and also goof around with wet/dry or stereo type setups.

Upgrades require a PC or Mac.
The newer models can be upgraded over WiFi with the app, but the 40 needs USB and a personal computer. (Last time I checked..)
Some people managed to brick their amps while upgrading. I’ve never had any real issues.

If you download from the cloud, each tone will have its own volume setting.
Expect to have to adjust it to your liking and then save the new settings.
A lot of people griped about that “Why is the volume different for each preset?” Blah blah blah….

It’s a blast running through all of the tones that people upload to the cloud.

Looking at the new PG Spark 2. Reading all the complaints with number of complaints about just stop working. Not going to gig with it. Won’t be moving it around either once in place. Also considering the 40. I don’t need the looper or tuner.

It’s been a year since this thread, are the still holding up?

 

[dodgechargerfan]

Looking at the new PG Spark 2. Reading all the complaints with number of complaints about just stop working. Not going to gig with it. Won’t be moving it around either once in place. Also considering the 40. I don’t need the looper or tuner.

It’s been a year since this thread, are the still holding up?

The only issue that I’ve had is updating the Spark 2 over the air. That was early on, and it’s fixed.
I was able to update over usb without issue.
The AI does crap out once in a while, but it’s still in beta and I never really use it.

I have never had any other issues with it. It always fires up, sounds good in my office.

Never had any issues with the Spark 40 other than a self-induced issue when I forgot to yank the usb cable after an update.

 

[GilmourD]

I've had one of the Spark 2s for a while and I've been pretty happy with it. The presets are all "LOOOOOOK AT ME!!!!", which is interesting because the Spark Go presets were SUPER usable, but that's really just a matter of messing with them myself. The stereo spread is wild, sounding like it's bouncing around the room. The nice thing, though, is that I've been using it off the other side of my Strymon Volante set as an AC30 and I'm not getting the expected "digital latency" phasing issues with my DRRI.