Positive Grid Spark Amps (Which Is the Best?)

Today I'm trying to help you decide which Spark Amp to get. There are 4 models nowadays, Spark 40, Spark Mini, Spark Go, and Spark 2, with the original Spark probably going to be discontinued (if it hasn't already). But you can still get it second hand, as all the other ones.
Enjoy!
You can get any of the Spark amps here (the link is an affiliate link): thmn.to/thocf/...
My Patreon page for music and exclusives: / elmojk

[@ractv22]

I've been following you for long enough to know that I for some reason can trust you. For the longest time I've looked for a good practice amp and after many youtube reviews(including some of yours) I was convinced that Spark Mini is the best, then the Spark 2 came and it completely messed me up. However after this video I'm fully convinced I should go with the Mini. Especially after finding out about the Steve Vai signature one. Just wanted to let you know that your content really matters to people like me and hopefully, to motivate you to do such honest reviews, because that's what we all need. That's what youtube has been lacking for the past few years. Cheers! \m/

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@transparent6748]

I bought the mini spark last month after Iv watched several videos on youtube,including some of yours,,very happy with it must say 🙂

[@purrpocalypse]

Awesome to see this video. I just bought the Vai Mini about 3 days ago because Sweetwater had it on sale. I agree it's the one that makes the most sense to me, especially since I own a Yamaha THR10II. Really impressed by the sounds out of such a tiny amp, and the app is really neat.

[@dragonofr]

Thank you the mini is great ! You're right absolutely brilliant ! Fantastic ! Thank you for testing positive spark...

[@comment.highlighted]

I have the Go and love the portability of it. I got the Spark 40 and didn’t like it so much. I returned it and ordered the Mini. We’ll see how that goes 🙂

[@russellscott1151]

I bought the spark mini after seeing your earlier reviews a couple of months ago and it’s brilliant, just perfect for me at home. I already have a looper that works ok with it if I want to use it. An effects loop would have been nice for the looper but really not a problem. Thanks.

[@shaggymusic1174]

Got the mini for Christmas and I absolutely love it! The only thing I will say is that I tend to waste alot of time trying to perfect tones on the app instead of actually practicing.

[@JD-vj4go]

That white strat with the brown fretboard sounds amazing.

[@davidfellows334]

That’s why I went for the spark live,, not too heavy and plenty of volume at 150w 🙏🎸

[@matzer8846]

Your bottom line discussion ... great ... totally agree: the Spark mini does fit perfect ... and if you really do need a looper: Xsonic ULooper .... ok it is expensive, but it does work with a lot of amps using their USB audio interface.

[@SteveMavronis]

I have the Mini and think it's great. Working on making 4 custom presets for sounds I like to practice songs with. Trying right now to emulate a couple real low wattage tube amps that I own.

[@purplerocket666]

I came for the T-Shirt. 😂My favourite album of all times. 🤘. The video ist nice too btw. 😁

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

I like the Black Star Fly3 mini amp combo. It sounds really good, IMO.....Great honest review though. Thank you.

[@MashaT22]

I’m very curious about that PA they announced. I’d love to hear a review on that!

[@JD-vj4go]

Spark 2 unless you want the small size. It fixes the worst issues with spark 1 and adds a basic looper. The practice tools in the app still don't work very well.

[@grahamriceukulele]

I have a Go, but I play Ukulele, and for me the Go is great, I can travel with it, attend ukulele Jams and make interesting sounds. I attend a guitar club on a Monday night, where I play my Ukulele through an Laney Audiohub AH40 (I am also a keyboardist) and with pedal board, I mention this because all the other members of the guitar clubs use Spark 1's, they play as individuals and seem happy with their choice of amp.

[@JamesinNagoya]

Elmo you are the grand daddy of guitar and amp review test vedios unbiased and Scandinavian so you know your at the right place to enjoy like a film with popcorn or just enjoy the content. Are you in a band?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not really at the moment.

[@justmehere6094]

I started with the Spark 1, because, at the time, that was all there was. And it was, imho and to use your parlance, brilliant at the time. But now, i ue the Mini, for what I got the Spark for. The Spark 1 is relegated to being a Bluetooth speaker, and it's really good at that.

[@Samuel-u8k8h]

Hello Elmo I’m new to your channel but you gained my sympathy pretty fast and I really enjoy your honest and professional reviews. I just ordered my first electric guitar (I’ve been playing acoustic for years now) and I wanted to ask you, could do a review of the Thermion Zero hybrid amp + Thermion Gasoline Pedal ? It would be such a helpful review knowing you are actually someone who cares about his followers and watchers. Greetings from Germany :)

[@matzer8846]

I'no ... ... the one you have and play. Me ordered a Spark (1 was the only back then) and had a great little amp when i had to leave my flat for 11 weeks because of severe repair work So i enjoyed the GigBag me ordered with the Spark and went ... did all me wanted and made me play

[@tymanngruter1808]

Nice to see Elmo Vai playing the Spark one, Yngwie does it even better! But the winner is the Spark two for my ears. Which pick-ups are that on your guitar? 🤔

[@lgmleguitaristemoyen9130]

I'm completely agree with you conclusion 👌 (I have a Spark mini) Can you test a positive cab ? Thank

[@christiantaylor4027]

Sounds great Elmo. Sounds like a versatile amp. It holds up to your wailing. Your influences are all over. And guitars look good on u. Everyone should like Elmo. I think I'm rambling.Bye for now.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@jsr-uz3oj]

I would like to see your review of the Steve Vai version vs the other spark mini.

[@kamrankawishbilal6891]

I have the mini and I like it very much, I just hope that PG add a looper to it via software upgrade :3

[@voiksmusifan]

Thanks for the review, but I disagree. To me the "Mini" sounds quite "mini" compared to the Spark 2. I miss some bass and the volume. It's not enough for living room sessions. And unfortunately it's still big enough NOT to fit in my trouser pocket, while the "GO" does. So I kept the Spark 2 and my son does so with the GO. No Mini here...

[@michelecoppola3005]

You have to try the Spark live, Is like a bigger Spark One o 2

[@Rokken2Dokken]

I honestly love my spark 2. I wish its slowdown algorithm was as good as my katana go, but it works for certain things that aren’t too complicated (soilwork and bodom need not apply; that gets the katana slowdown software treatment). I also love running my old POD2.0 with a cab sim pedal through the aux in. It’s a handy little piece of gear, so much so that I bought the controller X and a cheap TRS pedal for wah control.

[@Rokken2Dokken]

My biggest issue is because I love air moving when I play, I turn the thing up to 90+ decibels when I’m not using headphones. I love getting the feedback sustain when playing slayer. It’s still more practical and sounds better at low volumes than my tube heads through large cabs, even using an attenuator.

[@googlesucks5087]

Do you love going deaf, too?

[@Rokken2Dokken]

@@googlesucks5087 no but when you grew up in an age where amps didn’t sound good unless you cranked it, it’s hard to kick that. I used to have to practice unplugged before I got my POD 2.

[@WillyGilligan]

Once the battery's gone, could you still use the amp, plugged into an outlet?

[@scottjerard1293]

I bought the nefew a go last year for Christmas because he was always at the girlfriends or down stairs on the parents couch an not so much in his bedroom on the BOSS Katana i got him when he started playing And after watching and talking to him i thought the Spark software set up for practice and lessons was pretty good so when i had to travel for work again after 26yrs🤮i bought a Go for myself and like i said love the interface lesson part and the tone range and the fact you can use tones the artist have built is amazing so much better then how i started 35yrs ago learning out of magazines Only bitch is the little tiny speaker,,,for what it is Iphone size stuido its great but 2-3” speaker is flat and kills my dynamics so as much as i hate playing with headphones that was the fix But when im home my Yamaha TTR is still the best sounding user friendly practice amp out there,,,,,for me the stereo and wireless set ups are killer!!!! I will say,,again,,,once you get into the interface and set up your cabinet selection,,thats the key,it sounds amazing makes it worth the price To the point i went and found the 100w head version and its become my goto combined with me mid 90’s 2x12 Boogie cabinet Just my two cents,,,kerp up the good work Elmo!!! Were watching across the pond and youve been great help getting my nefew to understand where his unclle comes from musicly

[@stephandelaney4097]

I got the Go. Bc I use it for headphones 99% of the time. Bc I have to play quiet. But I just plug it into my PAs for when I want the cops called on me.

[@davidjones6218]

I did buy the spark one when it came out. Yes it is a bit on the bass side, but with the EQ its fine. Bought it to just use in the bedroom. Its been a super little amp for me elmo. Always love your vids bro..👏👏👏👍🏻

[@john_enx]

My dilemma , for home use , is something like Spark VS Nux MG30 + 8" / 6.5" studio speaker one for start or a pair if budget isn't a problem.

[@Barbarapape]

Sorry Elmo having torn my hair out trying to get a half decent sound out of the original spark, i gave up. No point in buying an amp that wastes hours of your time when all you want is to switch on and play. I have several practice amps that do that with ease, so why waste your time and money on a dead horse.

[@Nanook19801]

You can switch and play too. The first days I spend time too testing amps from the app, but now l have 4 presets and ready to go. I dont turn on the app now.

[@LokaRaid]

Kuka helvetti voi sanoa Harley bentonia hyväksi. Herrajumala

[@Nanook19801]

I have three amps of the top four from your Top ten practice amp list. All of them are fantastics. The mini sounds incredible. I hear the amp, i see the size of the amp at the time and i dont understand how sounds this way. I suppose that the extra speaker at the botton makes this posible but after all It is a technological advance. I recommend it too!!

[@Gutenmorgenside]

' I see a Rainbow Rising..'

[@TheGlato]

Cool shirt

[@insympathy]

So does Mini have those AI features now and do they work? Like you play a few chords and it gives you drums and bass to jam along - is it a thing on a mini? Or is it only available on Spark 2? And is it any good?

[@christophersheeler4380]

The makers of guitars and gear are going to start asking you for advice before them make their products, Elmo

[@daithibailey]

I've been tempted to buy the mini, but have heard that there are issues with a gated hiss/noise trail when you pick hard staccato notes even on clean settings. Anyone have experience with this? That would probably be a deal breaker

[@sma1968]

Yes. There is that problem. I don’t understand how more people haven’t been mentioning this. The Mooer sd10i doesn’t have this issue, but the app isn’t nearly as nice. Would be nice if PG could fix this problem.

[@williammolina9792]

Nice t shirt.

[@bogse]

Hyvin soivia pelejä mut itse oon jo vuosia käyttäny Line 6 Helix kun ei ainakaan mun korva riitä erottamaan sitä oikeista vahvareista ja siinä saa sit kymmeniä vahvareita ja tuhat pedaalia samassa. En kyl varmaan ole käyttänyt edes 10% Helixin ominaisuuksista =)

[@googlesucks5087]

So, are you saying that the Helix Line 6 is better than the spark 2?

[@Flaming-Hedgehog]

😀

[@chessrootslove9916]

I'm interested in the Mini 2...the current Minis are $50 off from Spark direct and I've seen used ones listed for $130. The current models are clearing the way for #2 version on all of these. (imho)

[@chessrootslove9916]

I broke down and bought a Mini direct from PG on BF24 - $50 off and another $10 off for signing up for their emails. $169 is hard to beat and I've heard nothing but praise for these little amps and their big sound! I also splurged n the $99 Link BT and hope that works as advertised.

[@JamesinNagoya]

The squire strat is nice but too thin body but a chug and riff machine no doubts . Bridear are a band that specialise in killer riffs and solos battles. Songs ignite, eyes of doubt and still burning. Please do a reaction to them please elmo.

[@danieltryba8019]

In my tiny apartment Spark go works perfect!

[@LokaRaid]

Mulla itellä on putkivox ja orange. Jackson ja Gibson. Mxr

[@fabriziosantin6063]

Please can someone tell me, about the Mini, if I plug it to a USB charger and simultaneously play it, does it draw the power from the batteries or directly from the USB charger, thus bypassing the batteries? In other words, when the rechargable batteries will eventually die, will I still be able to use it, plugged it to a wall socket? (that is the way I intend to use it 80% of its time, since I practice in my room at home). Thank you!

[@liys540]

For home , spark go or mini spark

[@damianp3305]

The best is second-hand Spark 40 (1st version). You can literally buy in perfect condition for 140-150 EUR.

[@evakufac]

Nuff about the Spark amps already!

[@Aries_Alpha]

I'm still happy with my original Spark 40, the EQ pedal solved the bass issue for me.

[@rupe82]

Yes. But annoyingly the EQ pedal takes up an effects slot so you can't use a chorus, flanger, tremolo etc..

[@Aries_Alpha]

@@rupe82 That's true I do think it would be better as an separate feature you could add to the chain.

[@AldrLesPaul]

When I turn on the Plexi amplifier on the Spark 2, for some reason the sound becomes as if the speaker is covered with a blanket. On the Spark 40, Mini and Go everything worked perfectly. Have you noticed the same effect?

[@matzer8846]

I'no... Spark (1) is woofy, but when you use it as a Bluetooth speaker its fun and it packs a punch in the bass region Just use the App and put in an EQ and set it to your liking

[@RulgertGhostalker]

all the spark amps sound the same...i mean that's the whole point, right? like i have a spark go; so i know where to look, if i want a louder and more expensive version of the same thing.

[@googlesucks5087]

Wrong, the spark 2 sounds the best of the four Sparks, even Elmo says so. Wait till the spark 3 comes out, it will be better than the spark 2. The original Spark 40, I did not like that one.

[@googlesucks5087]

The spark go is the worst one to have for sound and tone. I would not buy the spark go or the spark 40.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@googlesucks5087 yeah, I just got it because it is compact .. I recently bought a NUX Amp Academy...that I can plug into my big amp, or go direct need be.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@googlesucks5087 but the spark 2 is the best sounding one if Elmo says so, he would know.

[@rupe82]

Spark 2 is still a little bassy, but it's not as bad as the Spark 40. I have to use the EQ pedal on the Spark 40 to lower the bass.

[@LokaRaid]

En ymmärrä että millä vitun ammattitaidolla sie rankkaat putkivahvareita ja kitaroita paremmuusjärjestykseen. Säälittävää huomionhakua. Mie soitan sinut suohon. Ja by the way opettele englantia

[@googlesucks5087]

That's funny, you tell him to learn English, but what you wrote, isn't in English, either!

[@jeffallen3382]

I don't know but to me... that sounds horrendous! I have never seen a review of these Spark amps and found that they sound good at all. Are they ok for a cheap practice amp? maybe... but for "tone" I find they are terrible. I also don't understand how so many do like these or think that they do sound good ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@MashaT22]

Because they sound good FOR A PRACTICE AMP. Nobody thinks they sound as rich as a full sized amp. They are also great sounding for recording directly into a phone or computer.

[@jeffallen3382]

@MashaT22 might want to turn your volume down... For some strange reason you are shouting.

[@jeffallen3382]

@MashaT22 oh and ps... They sound just as terrible as a practice amp.

[@googlesucks5087]

​@@jeffallen3382that's your opinion

[@Guitar-Geek]

none of positive grid still can't stand vs Roland M-CUBE GX

[@googlesucks5087]

Roland Cube? Don't make me laugh. I had that and the clean was okay but the distortion on it and the metal on it, was horrendous! It sounded like Nails going through a metal grinder.