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The mobile experience has always been intrinsic to the Spark amps, transforming the products from standard (albeit over-performing) practice amps to a limitless world of tones and functionality that’ll have a stab at replicating any guitar sound. From your guitar heroes, to a completely custom sound that works with what you’re playing. 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. 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. 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.
Best desktop guitar amps 2023: portable practice solutions
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. 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. 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. 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? 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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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! 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 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. Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product. Related buyer's guides
Spark App Download – Positive Grid Spark App Download – Positive Grid
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. 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. 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 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.
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.
Spark GO Firmware Update – Help Center Spark GO Firmware Update – Help Center
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.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.
Welcome to Spark Go – Positive Grid
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. The Spark Go is around the size (125 x 85 x 45 mm) of a Coke can and at 346g, weighs about the same too. As guitar amplifiers go, it’s tiny and can even fit into your pedal board. Much smaller than the Spark Mini and a fraction of the size of the Spark 40, which itself is renowned for its compact size. Positive Grid reveals Spark GO – a rugged, ultra-portable guitar/bass amp and Bluetooth® speaker with advanced acoustics that delivers detailed, room-filling sound. With its smart app integration, this tiny powerhouse offers immediate access to inspiring guitar gear and tones plus AI-powered practice tools, for frictionless guitar playing and learning experiences. 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. 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.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? This clever little amp offers incredible value for money and may just change the future of practice and modeling amps forever.
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