Joined in 2023 
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Positive Grid has played another blinder with the Spark Go. The Spark Go requires compromises in terms of sound quality, but the amp still outperforms its physical limitations. For users seeking ultimate freedom in terms of portability, wearability of the amp, and on-the-go battery power, it may be the perfect solution. Those app-based features do so much of the leg work, but it’s still remarkable so much can be squeezed into a product the size of one single effects pedal. Though compact in size, Spark GO offers powerful features for practicing and playing guitar through seamless integration with the award-winning Spark app. This free companion app is a fun and easy-to-use portal that encourages learning and provides more motivation to play and try new ideas. Users can find immediate inspiration from massive tone and gear libraries; fine tune their skills with real-time, AI-powered features; and even create performance videos. I found it helped me with my timing a lot. When you’re noodling away on your own, it can get a bit all over the place. This kept me disciplined and in rhythm with the drummer. The hallmark of the original Spark 40 amp was its size-defying sound. It’s easy to forget looking at its baby brother that the Spark 40 – a reference to the 40W speaker – was the OG little amp that could. For a practice amp, it has no right sounding as refined as it does at high and low volumes. It was even loud enough for some light gigging or an open mic without losing fidelity. I loved it and have it five stars. In terms of on-board controls, this version eschews almost all buttons to bring the physical controls down to the bare bones. Just like the Spark Mini, there are no dials for bass, treble, delay, reverb, etc., which you’d see on a traditional amp (or the Spark 40).
Spark GO Firmware Update – Help Center Spark GO Firmware Update – Help Center
The Spark Go isn’t anywhere near as loud as the Mini and again, the limitations of the smaller speaker become more noticeable in its smaller form factor. However, I think the Spark Go makes the Mini a little redundant. It’s much, much smaller, has the same battery life and access to smart features. When it comes to recommending a desktop amp, we are looking for a well-made unit that delivers a versatile tone at a manageable volume for home practice. So for that reason, we'll pay careful attention to the following factors when testing the best desktop guitar amps. Next up, you should consider which effects you use on a daily basis. Each amp on this list comes with access to lots of guitar effects, from delay to reverb, compression to chorus, and even octave pedal effects, so take a minute to either consider which tones you use the most, or which tones you want to emulate. However, the amplifier used (think Marshall, Orange, etc.), the settings on the amp, and the effects pedals (delay, distortion, reverb, etc.) used are the other key factors, and that’s what the Spark app’s tones attempt to replicate. There are 33 amp models available based on classic manufacturers and a total of 43 effects. The community has used these bases to create thousands of unique tones you can also add your own spin to.
MSRP: (UK) £129 / (US) $129
Sonically, the Spark GO is as impressive as I've ever heard from such a tiny amp. There are some compromises compared to the Spark Mini - specifically, the Mini is stereo as opposed to the mono output on the GO, and the GO does roll off more low end than the Mini, cutting off at 110hz. What's the same is the excellent amp and effect modelling, with a comprehensive variety of tones that all sound very authentic and feel excellent to play. The presence of three Spark Amp models now leaves people with a big decision. All three bring something to the table.
Spark App Download – Positive Grid Spark App Download – Positive Grid
However, established knowledge suggests that an 5W amp with a 2-inch speaker isn’t going to produce sound worthy of your guitar playing expertise. It goes without saying there will be trade-offs, but can the Spark Go hit the sweet spot between ultimate portability, functionality, and good-enough quality sound? Meet Spark GO – the Ultra-portable, Smart Guitar/Bass Amp and Bluetooth® Speaker with Advanced Acoustics… It could be Slash’s reverb-lased Gibson Les Paul solos, or a beautifully clean John Mayer-like tone. Either way, the Spark amp will have a solution that seeks to replicate the set-up of those icons, from amp models to the effects pedals. On the other Spark amplifiers, I preferred using the tablet version of the Spark app, but that’s against the spirit of the Spark Go, which is all about portability. Things are cramped and fiddly on the smartphone, but not annoyingly so. As an ultra-portable practice solution, the Spark GO is an excellent choice. It feels great to play, has a ton of useful practice tools and looks very cool (like a small vintage camera or something). It works as a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker that competes well with similar-sized speakers - but with the addition of killer-sounding amp models. Given its diminutive size and equal diminutive price point, it's kind of a no-brainer!
Bass Extremes – Steve Bailey And Victor Wooten
Fingertip access to over 50,000 guitar tones– all instantly available on Positive Grid’s online ToneCloud community. Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product. Related buyer's guides With any amplifier, the most crucial thing to think about is the sound you're going for. Granted, you probably won't be playing Madison Square Garden with your desktop amp so it needn't be the most pristine tone ever, but it's important to find the right sound for you nonetheless. If you're after something app-less but still want to experiment with different effects, then something with a simple user interface is what you need. Something like the Fender Mustang LT40S or Yamaha THR30II is totally beginner-friendly - and as it's capable of loads of tones, it's a great option if you're not quite sure what you want. What wattage do I need? It’s the baby brother to the game-changing Spark 40 amp, which bundled size-defying sound with an incredible range of app-based digital amp models and effects to create a truly endless array of fully customisable guitar tones.
Spark GO Portable Smart Guitar Amp - Positive Grid Spark GO Portable Smart Guitar Amp - Positive Grid
Unfortunately, and this was the case with the other Sparks, firmware updates for the amp cannot be transferred via the app. You need to do it by connecting to a computer via USB with the bundled-in cable. Spark GO comes fully loaded with 33 authentic amp models and 43 effects and pedals that can be combined into an infinite number of tone setups for convenient guitar practice and jamming. Four onboard preset locations allow instant recall of favorite amps and effects. Since NAMM 2022, I've been waxing lyrical to everyone who would listen about how good the Positive Grid Spark Mini is. It's tiny, portable, sounds enormous and feels great to play. It looks fab on my desk, and works as an absolutely phenomenal bluetooth speaker. I've taken it on road trips (my car is an older Jag without an aux in), to barbecues on the beach, and most recently to provide music in a large courtyard at a friend's wedding - and we even got a noise complaint!It’s not that important as you can adjust these settings on the digital amp and pedals within the app. However, it does make the Go less useful if you don’t plan on connecting through the app every time.Remember, you can always save your four favourite tones to the amp so you don’t need the app at all. Video captureallows users to record themselves playing within the Spark app and then post it instantly to social channels with brilliant sound and video. Each of the amps on this list has plenty of power for home practice – from around 3 watts to a hefty 40 – so consider where you're going to be using your amp most. If you're only ever playing at home, anything as small as 1W will do just fine, but if you're going to be jamming with others, then more power will be required. For us, all amps should be well made and sturdy, regardless of their application. Guitar amps should feel robust and able to withstand anything you throw at them - something that's particularly important with a portable desktop amp. Of course, the controls and dials should feel smooth with just the right amount of resistance, not flimsy or unresponsive. If, like me, you don’t have the time, finances, or expertise to finely tune a guitar sound via the amp or a big grand pedal board, this is where the Spark range truly comes into its own.
Positive Grid Spark GO 5W Ultra-Portable Smart Guitar Amp
Auto Chordsuses AI-powered technology to analyze millions of songs and display the guitar chords in real time for fun, easy learning. If you're going to be using this amp to potentially gig, then we'd really argue that you'd be better off with any of the best practice amps or guitar amps. The small speakers in a desktop amp will make playing larger spaces difficult, even though they’ll sound loud at home. How we test the best desktop guitar amps Personally, I’d buy the Spark Go over the Mini for that added portability, and the ability to play with the amp on your person (more or less) wirelessly. You lose sound quality with the smaller speaker, but I think it’s worth it to not notice carrying an amp with you. Another offering from PG, the Positive Grid Spark MINI takes everything that was great about the regular Spark and puts into a smaller enclosure. If you think that means a reduction in quality or utility you're totally wrong, this thing sounds absolutely immense. Just like the middle child, the Spark Mini, the new Spark Go amp does all of that, but without the need to tether to the mains. It has a rechargeable battery, making your amplified guitar playing truly portable. In this case, even clipped to your person.On the surface, the Spark is a 40-watt practice amp powered by the highly revered BIAS tone engine - but in reality, it's far more than that. When used in conjunction with the Spark app, we discovered that this amp transforms into the ultimate practice companion.
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