Check out more amp reviews: ua-cam.com/play/PLNaLwTdlpQNHNo5bubVjV1OW04gkqU8rM.html Or some of my guitar covers: ua-cam.com/play/PLNaLwTdlpQNFywXvNTY6FFFbVuunBwvDM.html
Hi Elmo! I hope you’re going to review the JamStack 2 when it starts shipping. It’s going to be an insane micro amp - the demos and feature list have been insane. It’s going to have capabilities that no large or small smart amp has. I really think it’s going to blow away this Positive Grid practice amp (including the larger version). I agree that Positive Grid offers a great offordablr practice amp, but if you watch the demo videos of the JamStack 2 (including the latest pre-production factory samples), it becomes clear that JS2 is going to have some serious tone and volume for such a small practice amp - not to mention all the hardware specs and unique features (which you can read about on their website - the blog really dives deeper, so I recommend reading those articles). Please keep JS2 on your radar as I’d love to hear your thoughts about it upon release. Maybe get in touch with JamStack so they’ll put you on a list to get a demo amp? They’re really great - very responsive. The CEO, Chris Prendergast, replies to his DM’s on Facebook and in the group personally. He’s always happy to answer questions. I’d suggest getting in touch with him directly. You can even tell him Marsha T suggested you get in touch. Or if you want to go the preorder route (because I think you prefer buying your own gear to review over getting samples), I have an added discount on top of the pre-order discount via my referral link if you send a DM to me on Instagram or Twitter (which helps me earn a small commission so I can afford to buy a unit too!). I’d post the link here, but don’t want UA-cam bots to flag my post as spam and delete it. Thanks for hearing my suggestion. I really hope you’ll check it out. I’m very excited to see that amp get released. It’s going to be a major upgrade from the first version of JS, and it really has the potential to blow the competition away.
I got my Spark Mini a few days ago. This thing is like friggin crack. I can’t stop playing on it. I want to quit my job. The dog is pooping all over the house because I won’t stop playing. It’ll take a life time to explore all of the tones. I think my wife has left me.
Damn, this little thing sounds seriously amazing! Even my luthier today was blown away by the quality of the sound he heard. I use to study bass and guitar (both Steinberger Synapse) on my car during lunch break. Best buy of the year hands down!
Why don't you guys make a giggable amp? Or at least add a send and return for pedals and/volume control. You got the best tone of all practice amps. I mean people are plugging in the headphone out into other amps just to have this kind of control. Think about it they would risk burning up their amps just to have control of this practice amp (actually there's no risk because the voltage is quite low but people don't know that). I would easily pay $100 for a send and return or speaker out.
I had a bad habit of procastinating regarding to practice, due to my need to isolate myself in the studio where all my gear is. It's such a gamechanger when it comes to habits. I leave my spark on the living room, all I need is to pick a guitar and just practice in front of the tv with great sound. I can bring it on my travels as well, this is an amazing piece of gear. For beginners and pros. I'd highly recommend you all to grab one as soon as you can. Totally worth it!
Wow, what a display on this thing from you Elmo! I had put mine away several months ago because i was just done with it, and having watched Paul Gilbert's endorsement & playing on it didn't really persuede me to wanna play it anymore, and was actually let down by his playing, and sound on it..Maybe it was just his personal presets? I dunno, they sounded like shit to be honest.. But this second vid on the SPARK MINI has re-inspired me again because YOUR review and playing on this thing really really makes it shine! So I busted it out again, recharged it, and tweaked out two of my old settings I created, and added your settings to the first two banks, the second one having a touch of reverb on it for when i don't wanna hook the phone up via bluetooth. Thanks Elmo! Btw for anyone who is interested, I uploaded the two settings to the Spark Cloud as: Elmo Karj YJM Elmo Karj YJM REVERB
Me too! It's amazing! It sounds better than my other, much larger "little" practice amps (Marshall, Fender, Vox - which all are good). And it saves so mucg space. I keep it plugged in with the 9V adaptor, so I don't know about battery life. Awesome product, truly a game changer in my practice room!
The fact that I can sit my spark mini in my hammock with me, load up a jam track and noodle away in the sun is so rewarding 😎🌞🎸 I owned the 40w Spark, but going fully wireless it the real gamechanger 🤩
Cool review.. just got one of these last week. Went to guitar center to get a cheaper little amp. The guys REALLY suggested this one. It was twice as much as I wanted to spend. But it is definitely worth it. I’m using it for all kinds of stuff around the house and taking it outside to play on the patio and everything.
Sounds great for the size ! I have two 20w Bluetooth wireless speakers that I can pair to use in stereo with my phone or similar device which astound me the level of bass and depth they produce from such a small device! So I can well believe how good that amp sounds and what a perfect thing to use while busking! I think it would be especially good to use with an acoustic guitar to give a really full sound in a subway station etc 👍🏻
Have seen this amp a lot in advertisements for a while. So today I tought hmm… who would have made an honest good review off it? I immediately came to your channel and boom there is the review uploaded 4 hours ago😂 Nice video!
I’ve got both the Mini and the big brother… both have their place and found Positive Grid to be helpful and good customer service just recently after a software issue within the big spark. (It was completely unresponsive and couldn’t even factory reset). Positive Grid emailed me a patch with simple instructions and boom… all fixed!! That has been my experience in Australia, and I’m assuming dealing with Positive Grid in US via email? Rock on 🤘🏻
I bought one and I simply can't believe how good it sounds for such a little cube. The sheer number and quality of patches available for download is also pretty amazing. I'd love for it to have more controls on top, but there's simply no room, so I'm AOK with that.
Thanks Elmo, I just sold my spark and have been looking at this as well. I just bought a white addition Katana and so far loving it but I think this may be the best travel amp. Thanks again. I really trust your review because you purchase the equipment. Hopeing to support on patrion soon
Got the Spark Go for my kid . Came in today from Sweetwater. Ordered it Weds @ 2pm Talk about Fast shipping! Not bad for a pocket rig when gone fishin!
I just got mine delivered today. I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it, just ask my neighbours. It is awesome, something as big as a jar of pickels can do so much fantastic stuff.
Maestro Elmo! I have been loving this little amp, and found out by using my smart ass phone (that's right it makes fun of me, especially when I'm playing guitar) there is a huge library of already uploaded examples of various amps and or favorite band sounds, and many are very well done. I can get Fender, Rockman, Mesa, Bogner, Marshall, Soldano, etc, oh and incredible Matchless and even Dumble sounds. I know these are approximations, but dang, great. I found a setting that is simply titled Bogner Lead, that takes my breath away, same with a Steve Vai setting! Many awesome acoustic sounds as well, and this is great for a guy like me, who so far has been too lazy to come up with his own, cheers Elmo, keep up the great videos and inspiring me to practice 15 hours a day, Bruce
Ok, Elmo, I believe you. Because of you I purchased a mini cube two years ago. Overall, it is the best mini practice amp I have ever used. I sparingly used the original pignose- sparingly because tone was absolutely horrendous! - some 50 years ago. Now,, because of your recommendation, I will search for one of these on flea bay. But, I request a playoff between these marvels - your older mini-cube, the reigning king, and the new pretender to the throne! Because...why not?
Ok, you convinced me. I'm giving this little amp a shot. Both for backing track portability, and for playing with my electric in random places in my house. We'll see how it does in a few days.
@@PMlaxer90 : So far, so good. It fits the bill for everything, except it's still a bit quiet for backing tracks against my drum kit. It is decent enough for being an amp against a soft jazz kit, though. Excellent for everything else I play.
Elmo, thanks SO much for your unbiased review/endorsement of the Spark Mini. I had ordered one last week and am still waiting for it in anticipation, and such a positive review from you makes me completely NOT regret my decision! Thank you! (Oh, and you rock, dude!) 😀
First time seeing this video and you playing. I have to say your playing skills are truly superb! Thank you for bringing out the best from the Mini. My 12 year old daughter appears very interested in learning to play the electric guitar, so I needed to find an AMP for her, I picked the MINI, with such amazing quality sounds and the huge selection of things found within the App I know that it will keep her on the market if she truly starts and continues her training. Thanks again
I dig it. Spark 40 like 2 years ago. Maybe 10 hours on it with the phone. Just wanted it in case my gigged CyberTwin died. Thank goodness, it still works.
finally got one today With a hundred dollar off coupon from GC gear card!. So far so good i really like it. Thanks for the reviews Elmo. Merry Christmas
Great review I’m thinking of either the mini or the bigger spark as I don’t need battery only power. But I have to say these amp are freaking amazing with the effects ranges and music overlays. Incredible. Thanks for the review. .
I have to admit it sounded good mic'd. I am a bit skeptical as to how it would sound cranked up in a room, but it sounded good in the review. Too pricey for me though, and I am really an old fashioned guy like you, I like turning them knobs, you know 🤠 Great review Elmo , thanks!
Please be good, please be good. I just ordered this one on Sunday after finding all possible reviews from really really small youtubers and now someone I actually trust releases video!
@@davedhayden Honestly, only Amp I use at home. I have decent collection of pedals but they have mostly been sitting unused. I guess I could use them with Spark but I haven't tried I just use the pedal sims from the amp itself.
I don't like apps too. I'm 57yo. But you can suffer a bit, work a bit and save 4 of your favorite sounds on the amp and guess what... I never use the app 🤣🤣Killer Sounds, I've never had fat big sounds like this. From the cleanest to the dirtiest. A small cube in front of you, that's it. I love it.
This is exactly the type of amp I would call a practice amp (compared to the HB you had last week). It's small and it's portable, and it think it even looks kinda nice, if you put it in your living room, it's not likely to annoy anyone (girlfriend, wife, parents, dog) by just existing. And you have the ability to get some nice tones. If people don't like that stuff they can simply not use it, but if people want it, it's there. The price is not totally cheap (compared to e. g. that HB) but for what you get it seems okay since it has almost everything.
If you need a budget option you have the guts of it in the pedal-sized Riff, and can headphone out/use tablet/phone/laptop and so on. You need the device out to power/twiddle but for the price of a decent pedal, it isn’t a bad buy either, bar the cheap fascia plastic. Tons of presets* available and further costs do occur in various bundles* with the windows/osx app and ios being separate versions with associated costs*. The bundles will limit downloads depending on their content, there’s more scope to fiddle on the desktop, and offers to take some of the sting out of the additional app purchases. Damn surprising how different you can make a more affordable guitar sound, without forking out for a fancy amp/pedal rig, or the Spark’s themselves. Ideal for new starters / returnees to get a band guitar sound on a budget, just a shame it won’t run a cabinet as it needs a powered speaker.
Good review! This amp is a winner... good sound, effects and a lot of stuff with the app. I only use for send my band tracks and practice, but if you are bored... there are so many presets and tips. Im not endorsed... ; )
That clean ambient sound was glorious. It reminds me of my early/mid 1980s set up from age 13-15: Ibanez Roadstar II where I had a Bill Laurence L500 pickup installed in the neck position (imagine a girl walking into a luthier's shop with a Bill Laurence pickup to be installed into a guitar. I played Van Halen by ear... saw Yngwie front row at age 13... Do you happen to like Yngwie? 🤔)... oh, so I had the tone monster Roadstar II with L500 in neck and a single coil in the bridge... and an early 1960s Fender Bandmaster with a 6x10 cab... check this out, I used an Aria loop delay. !! I NEVER saw one before that nor since. It had a 16 second loop delay. That guitar, with that L500 neck pickup with the three way switch I had installed, of course, set to the middle, through that masterfully ethereal, glorious sounding Aria loop delay created that ambient sound you made there. What a beautiful sound/ tone. I would get lost in the music... It sounded as sweet as the EHX Memory Man, but with the loop and the Fender tube amp Reverb and/or a tiny bit of tremelo, it was so sweet. (Please forgive my long comments. A spine injury robbed me of playing. I started guitar at age 7 in 1976. Drums at age 5.) I cannot say this enough: your tone, and your playing is just , I'm going to use this word again: glorious. Steve and I have talked about "shredders". Steve is not a shredder. Our friend Jason Becker was not a shredder. We consider shredders to be people who play fast for the sake of speed and nothing else; people who sound like they're practicing scales at warped speed when they're soloing, e.t.c. Sometimes Yngwie shreds, but he's doing it on purpose. Like you, he has so much humor when he plays (although he doesn't smile so much anymore like back in '83, '84). No matter how fast someone plays, if EVERY note is played with intention, played for a reason (not simply because it's in the harmonic minor scale or Lydian dominant mode...), then it's not shredding. It's thoughtful playing. You emote so much through your playing. And you make me laugh. Thank you so much. I love your videos so much. Cheers. PS (I'm looking for a home for my 1983 [possibly '84] Guitar Player with Yngwie on the cover, the Black Star Sound Page 45rpm single, with transcription by Steve Vai... great issue. Please let me know if you're interested. And thanks again for your great humor and great playing!! ~ Ocean Moon Sky Vai
Thanks for reviewing this, Elmo. I tend to stick to the traditional knobs much like you do, but as far as apps go, Positive Grid does a nice job. I have the original Spark. I pre-ordered it and waited a year amidst all of that craze and I was … disappointed. That one does in fact sound pretty dark & I could never really dial it in the way I wanted. So, for small amps, I got a Blackstar tube amp (1watt) and man it sounds great. No fancy apps or amp styles though, but it’s kind of small. I may give this Mini version a try - I know they certainly could make the other one sound better - it’s just that dark sound I didn’t dig, but I still have it. Glad to hear your thoughts on this one. \m/
This seems pretty cool for such a tiny amp. I love my Blackstar HT1 mkii though. That's been my go-to practice amp for years now. I think the Spark Mini would be a great travel or late-night amp for sure
I change the topic towards the bass: my first bass amp, a 4 speaker cabinet. Heavy. Not Heavy sound heavy stuff. Today I play 2 Mark Bass amps, one 250 watts with a15" speaker. Makes walls tremble. 15 kilos. I sold immediately my 2 Yorkville bass amps, one 20kg, the other 25. Then I play a micro mark Amp. 5 kg. Last year with the micro mark I played hours, open air, double bass. The audience heard every single note from the bass. 5 kg. Things get lighter. Lucky me with my Fender Deluxe monster, that I get the feel of being a reeeeeeeeal man. At least a Marlboro man. 🤓🤓🤓
Hi Elmo, great review, I have all three Spark Amps, that is the GO will be delivered in late May. The amp sounds amazing for a little guy and love all the features. Thank you! By the way, I'd lop off both my boys to have your freaking hair and guitar skills! 😅
GREAT demo - your playing inspires me - I'm in awe of your prowess and style of playing guitar. I also bought the Spark Mini - it's just as you say; brilliant. And it sure opened up some extra space in my practice area! Not sure how Spark does it, but I LOVE this amp! I keep it plugged in with the 9V adaptor, so I don't know about battery life. Awesome product, truly a game changer in my practice room!
Hi guys, my personal experience with Bias FX (and this amp is kind of the same thing) and Positive Grid support is really horrible. I just want to save you time and money. Some issues I have with Bias: - MIDI controller stopped working with a recent update. And even before the update it needed a couple of app restarts to start working. I have other modeler software and no such problems. - app crashes very often during adding new element to the chain - I need to login every time I start the app - UI is not responsive in terms of design making it horrible to use on modern screens
I've been turned off by some channels reviewing PG products, because the creators don't seem to acknowledge the GLARING shortcomings of this company. PG IS AN UNACCOUNTABLE COMPANY, WITH TERRIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES. Consider this a warning...
#Greg Snow thanks for clearing this up.I will now definitely buy this amp since your only issues are Bias, Midi etc which for me are secondary. I just want a practice amp for home.
I am really impressed with this amp. I use Amplitube on both PC and iPhone but so see the same style of app for the endless configuration but such a small box and speakers making just epic sound. Impressed
At first I thought the 40 was the best a ever and then the mini came along and now I have the spark go and I think that is the most amazing little amplifier ever! Next they have to come up with a watch sized amp that pumps out as much sound the rest of them.😂
Well - I'm surprised Elmo likes it. The amp does not look too impressive. The impressive thing is that it has a lot of good effects in an apparently easy to use a phone app. It sounded good over my computer speakers. It seems like they could drop the amplifier part and sell the rest as a pedal. They would have a huge market out there for people who already have amps. Their established reputation with their little boombox amps would guarantee massive sales. I have amps, but if there was a Positive Grid pedal, I would be very interested. Thanks for the review.
That's a great fucking idea. I had the bigger brother of this. And to be honest the amps on their own aren't that great. But the effects are pretty decent 👌
Actually they do make pedals with the same effects, except they're individual effects, like a delay pedal and a separate one for distortion. Search positive grid bias pedal.
@@altpath Yes - I believe those pedals are only in their computer model. They describe "pedals on a virtual pedalboard." They are not pedals that one could put on a physical pedal board. I envision a product from them that may be similar to ZOOM pedals where there are multiple effects within a pedal that is hardware.
@@daniellarson3068 no no, they also make physical pedals. I just saw one on reverb used. They're not multi effects units but rather a single pedal to model one type of effect.
That does sound good man. I just scored an early 2000s Vox Tonelab desktop w the 12AX7 Tube for 75 bucks. Mint condition. I'm very impressed w it. I honestly believe there are hidden jewels still in the market that just didn't take off industry wise
I have the Bias FX2 app on my iPad and an I-rig audio interface which I use with headphones. It’s great when I am travelling with work. I love the loop function and the UA-cam link for learning solos or any other part of a song that I want to focus on.
I've watched a couple dozen of these Spark videos and I still don't know how to lay down a continuous drum beat that I can play my guitar to. That's where a lot of creativity comes from.
Pretty cool little piece of kit, my ears on some sounds where um pretty good some debating , I have to go back and practice on my BOSS Katana Mini :) Great review Elmo, watching you playing I definitely need to practice more lolol
Incredible the sound of this mini amp, it crushes all the small amps on the market. Dear Elmo, I'm waiting for you to try the Katana air because the other videos I've listened to, I find it really great but I would like to hear your opinion on this famous Boss Katana air
I just ditched all of my practice amps for a Spark Pearl. I have tested on my electric, bass, and acoustic and am impressed. I do have some clipping ot sound cut out on some of the pre-sets that I am looking into
I didn't like the first spark too much. I didn't hate it either. That's why I sold it. But for you to speak so highly of this mini spark, makes me wanna get it.
Hey Elmo. Great video as always. And great playing! Woulf you mind to share your presets? Also in a future vide, can you compare to the big brother spark?
Thanks! I don't have the big Spark, and don't think I'll buy one. The presets are pretty straight forward. Plexi with a lot of treble, an overdrive before that with tone way up, and some delay. Oh yeah, a noise gate as well.
i haven’t played it yet, but i was kind a surprised, that you liked it. normally you are more in favor of real tube amps, so this amp really must sound good! unfortunately i have way more gear already, than i actually use, so i seriously can’t justify before myself, why i should need to buy it. a pitty! what i actually don’t like about the spark mini, and many other amps, is that you need a phone to operate it. what if you had to use a phone with dialing wheel to operate a marshal plexy? you’d be lost now! a lot of my audio equipment is 30 years old and still works. i doubt than you still can operate the mini with any kind of app in 30 from now.
Bonjour Elmo It's great what you are doing I was wondering if 1 year later it's still working ? I want to buy one but I was wondering if there is anything better now!? Thanks
Check out more amp reviews: ua-cam.com/play/PLNaLwTdlpQNHNo5bubVjV1OW04gkqU8rM.html
Or some of my guitar covers: ua-cam.com/play/PLNaLwTdlpQNFywXvNTY6FFFbVuunBwvDM.html
Hey elmo everybody says +sparks sounds sucks more than a boss metal zone... so... ill stay with your roland mic cube
In App purchasing can f**k off!
Hi Elmo! I hope you’re going to review the JamStack 2 when it starts shipping. It’s going to be an insane micro amp - the demos and feature list have been insane. It’s going to have capabilities that no large or small smart amp has. I really think it’s going to blow away this Positive Grid practice amp (including the larger version). I agree that Positive Grid offers a great offordablr practice amp, but if you watch the demo videos of the JamStack 2 (including the latest pre-production factory samples), it becomes clear that JS2 is going to have some serious tone and volume for such a small practice amp - not to mention all the hardware specs and unique features (which you can read about on their website - the blog really dives deeper, so I recommend reading those articles).
Please keep JS2 on your radar as I’d love to hear your thoughts about it upon release. Maybe get in touch with JamStack so they’ll put you on a list to get a demo amp? They’re really great - very responsive. The CEO, Chris Prendergast, replies to his DM’s on Facebook and in the group personally. He’s always happy to answer questions. I’d suggest getting in touch with him directly. You can even tell him Marsha T suggested you get in touch.
Or if you want to go the preorder route (because I think you prefer buying your own gear to review over getting samples), I have an added discount on top of the pre-order discount via my referral link if you send a DM to me on Instagram or Twitter (which helps me earn a small commission so I can afford to buy a unit too!). I’d post the link here, but don’t want UA-cam bots to flag my post as spam and delete it.
Thanks for hearing my suggestion. I really hope you’ll check it out. I’m very excited to see that amp get released. It’s going to be a major upgrade from the first version of JS, and it really has the potential to blow the competition away.
Spark mini kicks ass.
I got my Spark Mini a few days ago. This thing is like friggin crack. I can’t stop playing on it. I want to quit my job. The dog is pooping all over the house because I won’t stop playing. It’ll take a life time to explore all of the tones. I think my wife has left me.
:D
Got mine in transit. Can’t wait…
Best review of all time. You should be properly compensated for this.
夸张了💀
Sounds like the humble beginnings of a rock MEGA STAR
Hey Elmo, thank you for checking out MINI, and we appreciate the review! And your playing is great.
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Damn, this little thing sounds seriously amazing!
Even my luthier today was blown away by the quality of the sound he heard.
I use to study bass and guitar (both Steinberger Synapse) on my car during lunch break.
Best buy of the year hands down!
Why don't you guys make a giggable amp? Or at least add a send and return for pedals and/volume control. You got the best tone of all practice amps. I mean people are plugging in the headphone out into other amps just to have this kind of control. Think about it they would risk burning up their amps just to have control of this practice amp (actually there's no risk because the voltage is quite low but people don't know that). I would easily pay $100 for a send and return or speaker out.
@@valueofnothing2487 just mic up the amp when playing live
Why doesn't Thomann (germany) have this amp in their stock?
I had a bad habit of procastinating regarding to practice, due to my need to isolate myself in the studio where all my gear is. It's such a gamechanger when it comes to habits. I leave my spark on the living room, all I need is to pick a guitar and just practice in front of the tv with great sound. I can bring it on my travels as well, this is an amazing piece of gear. For beginners and pros. I'd highly recommend you all to grab one as soon as you can. Totally worth it!
Wow, what a display on this thing from you Elmo!
I had put mine away several months ago because i was just done with it, and having watched Paul Gilbert's endorsement & playing on it didn't really persuede me to wanna play it anymore, and was actually let down by his playing, and sound on it..Maybe it was just his personal presets? I dunno, they sounded like shit to be honest..
But this second vid on the SPARK MINI has re-inspired me again because YOUR review and playing on this thing really really makes it shine!
So I busted it out again, recharged it, and tweaked out two of my old settings I created, and added your settings to the first two banks, the second one having a touch of reverb on it for when i don't wanna hook the phone up via bluetooth.
Thanks Elmo!
Btw for anyone who is interested, I uploaded the two settings to the Spark Cloud as:
Elmo Karj YJM
Elmo Karj YJM REVERB
I was shocked at how good that little amp sounds. I would never have considered buying one, but I have I changed my mind now.
Yeah, it's surprisingly good.
Me too! It's amazing! It sounds better than my other, much larger "little" practice amps (Marshall, Fender, Vox - which all are good). And it saves so mucg space. I keep it plugged in with the 9V adaptor, so I don't know about battery life. Awesome product, truly a game changer in my practice room!
you can just get an ampero 2 and m-audio 5 w monitor; but this is portable and sounds comparatively better than what is in the market right now.
The fact that I can sit my spark mini in my hammock with me, load up a jam track and noodle away in the sun is so rewarding 😎🌞🎸
I owned the 40w Spark, but going fully wireless it the real gamechanger 🤩
If you still have the Spark 40 and you want it “wireless“, you can buy a power bank for it and attach it to the back. Works great.
Is there an appreciable difference in sound quality between the 40 and mini?
Cool review.. just got one of these last week. Went to guitar center to get a cheaper little amp. The guys REALLY suggested this one. It was twice as much as I wanted to spend. But it is definitely worth it. I’m using it for all kinds of stuff around the house and taking it outside to play on the patio and everything.
Sounds great for the size ! I have two 20w Bluetooth wireless speakers that I can pair to use in stereo with my phone or similar device which astound me the level of bass and depth they produce from such a small device! So I can well believe how good that amp sounds and what a perfect thing to use while busking! I think it would be especially good to use with an acoustic guitar to give a really full sound in a subway station etc 👍🏻
Yeah I it's a little too small too be any good with an electric (busking) but to add something extra to an acoustic sound, this may work.
Which BT speakers are you using please?Thanks
It even catches the squeeky high E and above sounds that help define a strat. Impressive.
Thanks for a great video. Just bought this beast, I'm not very keen on using Apps, so hope it won't be on sale soon :D.
Have seen this amp a lot in advertisements for a while. So today I tought hmm… who would have made an honest good review off it? I immediately came to your channel and boom there is the review uploaded 4 hours ago😂 Nice video!
Haha :D Thanks!
Elmo never disappoints. ✌️
I’ve got both the Mini and the big brother… both have their place and found Positive Grid to be helpful and good customer service just recently after a software issue within the big spark. (It was completely unresponsive and couldn’t even factory reset).
Positive Grid emailed me a patch with simple instructions and boom… all fixed!!
That has been my experience in Australia, and I’m assuming dealing with Positive Grid in US via email?
Rock on 🤘🏻
Cool :)
I bought one and I simply can't believe how good it sounds for such a little cube. The sheer number and quality of patches available for download is also pretty amazing. I'd love for it to have more controls on top, but there's simply no room, so I'm AOK with that.
I see you support Nazi’s. Ukraine sucks just as much as Russia. I wouldn’t waste a single cent supporting Zelenskyy and his fascist regime.
@@Lovell93 Don't be a dick.
Thanks Elmo, I just sold my spark and have been looking at this as well. I just bought a white addition Katana and so far loving it but I think this may be the best travel amp. Thanks again. I really trust your review because you purchase the equipment. Hopeing to support on patrion soon
It would be great for travelling.
Got the Spark Go for my kid . Came in today from Sweetwater. Ordered it Weds @ 2pm Talk about Fast shipping! Not bad for a pocket rig when gone fishin!
I just got mine delivered today. I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it, just ask my neighbours. It is awesome, something as big as a jar of pickels can do so much fantastic stuff.
Maestro Elmo! I have been loving this little amp, and found out by using my smart ass phone (that's right it makes fun of me, especially when I'm playing guitar) there is a huge library of already uploaded examples of various amps and or favorite band sounds, and many are very well done. I can get Fender, Rockman, Mesa, Bogner, Marshall, Soldano, etc, oh and incredible Matchless and even Dumble sounds. I know these are approximations, but dang, great. I found a setting that is simply titled Bogner Lead, that takes my breath away, same with a Steve Vai setting! Many awesome acoustic sounds as well, and this is great for a guy like me, who so far has been too lazy to come up with his own, cheers Elmo, keep up the great videos and inspiring me to practice 15 hours a day, Bruce
Cheers :)
Ok, Elmo, I believe you. Because of you I purchased a mini cube two years ago. Overall, it is the best mini practice amp I have ever used. I sparingly used the original pignose- sparingly because tone was absolutely horrendous! - some 50 years ago. Now,, because of your recommendation, I will search for one of these on flea bay. But, I request a playoff between these marvels - your older mini-cube, the reigning king, and the new pretender to the throne! Because...why not?
That's a completely reasonable request. One which I've already been contemplating. Might throw some others in there though.
How old are you????? 70's?
I got one and I love it. Sounds fantastic and is so portable .
Ok, you convinced me. I'm giving this little amp a shot. Both for backing track portability, and for playing with my electric in random places in my house. We'll see how it does in a few days.
Update?
@@PMlaxer90 : So far, so good. It fits the bill for everything, except it's still a bit quiet for backing tracks against my drum kit. It is decent enough for being an amp against a soft jazz kit, though. Excellent for everything else I play.
Buddy, first you sold me the Jet 400, now the Spark Mini. You are the best reviewer.
Elmo, thanks SO much for your unbiased review/endorsement of the Spark Mini. I had ordered one last week and am still waiting for it in anticipation, and such a positive review from you makes me completely NOT regret my decision! Thank you! (Oh, and you rock, dude!) 😀
Thanks Brad!
Stunning playing, stunning amp…….could watch this all day! Thank you 👍👍👍
Thanks!
First time seeing this video and you playing. I have to say your playing skills are truly superb! Thank you for bringing out the best from the Mini. My 12 year old daughter appears very interested in learning to play the electric guitar, so I needed to find an AMP for her, I picked the MINI, with such amazing quality sounds and the huge selection of things found within the App I know that it will keep her on the market if she truly starts and continues her training. Thanks again
I never comment on anything , but this has been a dilemma for a few weeks and now i'll go for it. I want to get inspired and play outside !
The sound translated very well. I like this amp a lot.
Cool 😊
I dig it.
Spark 40 like 2 years ago.
Maybe 10 hours on it with the phone.
Just wanted it in case my gigged CyberTwin died.
Thank goodness, it still works.
finally got one today With a hundred dollar off coupon from GC gear card!. So far so good i really like it. Thanks for the reviews Elmo. Merry Christmas
Thanks! You too :)
Great review I’m thinking of either the mini or the bigger spark as I don’t need battery only power. But I have to say these amp are freaking amazing with the effects ranges and music overlays. Incredible. Thanks for the review. .
Cheers!
Well all right, you’re listed as one of my top 4 honest reviewers so THANKS... I’m down \m/
Thanks!
Man, I love that guitar.
It’s like being under the sea just listening to the delay and reverb, very impressive!
Just bought one can't wait for it to be delivered
Great review
I have to admit it sounded good mic'd. I am a bit skeptical as to how it would sound cranked up in a room, but it sounded good in the review. Too pricey for me though, and I am really an old fashioned guy like you, I like turning them knobs, you know 🤠 Great review Elmo , thanks!
Cheers!
it's pretty inexpensive
I like doing more with the knob then just turning it
Please be good, please be good. I just ordered this one on Sunday after finding all possible reviews from really really small youtubers and now someone I actually trust releases video!
@@davedhayden Honestly, only Amp I use at home. I have decent collection of pedals but they have mostly been sitting unused. I guess I could use them with Spark but I haven't tried I just use the pedal sims from the amp itself.
I love your
"some kind of single coil" pickup line.
The greatest pickups you've never heard!
I don't like apps too. I'm 57yo. But you can suffer a bit, work a bit and save 4 of your favorite sounds on the amp and guess what... I never use the app 🤣🤣Killer Sounds, I've never had fat big sounds like this. From the cleanest to the dirtiest. A small cube in front of you, that's it. I love it.
This review sold me! Those ambient tones!
"Rising Horse". Great! Probably the best possible name for a Malmsteen style guitar. A genius idea.
Haha :D Thanks!
Is that what's on the headstock? Hahahahaha.
@@castleanthrax1833 Yeah 😊
This is exactly the type of amp I would call a practice amp (compared to the HB you had last week). It's small and it's portable, and it think it even looks kinda nice, if you put it in your living room, it's not likely to annoy anyone (girlfriend, wife, parents, dog) by just existing. And you have the ability to get some nice tones. If people don't like that stuff they can simply not use it, but if people want it, it's there. The price is not totally cheap (compared to e. g. that HB) but for what you get it seems okay since it has almost everything.
The app has almost everything, the amp is bare minimal. And I'm wondering is the app totally free to, as most charge for extra "elite" sounds
If you need a budget option you have the guts of it in the pedal-sized Riff, and can headphone out/use tablet/phone/laptop and so on. You need the device out to power/twiddle but for the price of a decent pedal, it isn’t a bad buy either, bar the cheap fascia plastic. Tons of presets* available and further costs do occur in various bundles* with the windows/osx app and ios being separate versions with associated costs*. The bundles will limit downloads depending on their content, there’s more scope to fiddle on the desktop, and offers to take some of the sting out of the additional app purchases. Damn surprising how different you can make a more affordable guitar sound, without forking out for a fancy amp/pedal rig, or the Spark’s themselves. Ideal for new starters / returnees to get a band guitar sound on a budget, just a shame it won’t run a cabinet as it needs a powered speaker.
I even have some of my artwork printed on the grille, so it blends in with the decor such as it is.
Good review! This amp is a winner... good sound, effects and a lot of stuff with the app. I only use for send my band tracks and practice, but if you are bored... there are so many presets and tips. Im not endorsed... ; )
That clean ambient sound was glorious. It reminds me of my early/mid 1980s set up from age 13-15: Ibanez Roadstar II where I had a Bill Laurence L500 pickup installed in the neck position (imagine a girl walking into a luthier's shop with a Bill Laurence pickup to be installed into a guitar. I played Van Halen by ear... saw Yngwie front row at age 13... Do you happen to like Yngwie? 🤔)... oh, so I had the tone monster Roadstar II with L500 in neck and a single coil in the bridge... and an early 1960s Fender Bandmaster with a 6x10 cab... check this out, I used an Aria loop delay. !! I NEVER saw one before that nor since. It had a 16 second loop delay. That guitar, with that L500 neck pickup with the three way switch I had installed, of course, set to the middle, through that masterfully ethereal, glorious sounding Aria loop delay created that ambient sound you made there.
What a beautiful sound/ tone.
I would get lost in the music...
It sounded as sweet as the EHX Memory Man, but with the loop and the Fender tube amp Reverb and/or a tiny bit of tremelo, it was so sweet.
(Please forgive my long comments. A spine injury robbed me of playing. I started guitar at age 7 in 1976. Drums at age 5.)
I cannot say this enough: your tone, and your playing is just , I'm going to use this word again: glorious. Steve and I have talked about "shredders". Steve is not a shredder. Our friend Jason Becker was not a shredder. We consider shredders to be people who play fast for the sake of speed and nothing else; people who sound like they're practicing scales at warped speed when they're soloing, e.t.c.
Sometimes Yngwie shreds, but he's doing it on purpose. Like you, he has so much humor when he plays (although he doesn't smile so much anymore like back in '83, '84).
No matter how fast someone plays, if EVERY note is played with intention, played for a reason (not simply because it's in the harmonic minor scale or Lydian dominant mode...), then it's not shredding. It's thoughtful playing.
You emote so much through your playing.
And you make me laugh.
Thank you so much.
I love your videos so much.
Cheers.
PS (I'm looking for a home for my 1983 [possibly '84] Guitar Player with Yngwie on the cover, the Black Star Sound Page 45rpm single, with transcription by Steve Vai... great issue. Please let me know if you're interested. And thanks again for your great humor and great playing!!
~ Ocean Moon Sky Vai
Thank you very much! Thank you also for the offer, but I don't have enough room at home as it is :D
thumbs up for the Krakatau riff, my favorite Yngwie song.
I have done a lot of searching since my last vacation for a little travel amp. Thats what id want something that can be in a backpack and survive.
This sure fits in a backpack.
Thanks for reviewing this, Elmo. I tend to stick to the traditional knobs much like you do, but as far as apps go, Positive Grid does a nice job. I have the original Spark. I pre-ordered it and waited a year amidst all of that craze and I was … disappointed. That one does in fact sound pretty dark & I could never really dial it in the way I wanted. So, for small amps, I got a Blackstar tube amp (1watt) and man it sounds great. No fancy apps or amp styles though, but it’s kind of small. I may give this Mini version a try - I know they certainly could make the other one sound better - it’s just that dark sound I didn’t dig, but I still have it. Glad to hear your thoughts on this one. \m/
Yes I have the ht1 head (and the 5) and they're both great. I got them both for a song, and I'm very happy. Surprisingly loud too.
This seems pretty cool for such a tiny amp. I love my Blackstar HT1 mkii though. That's been my go-to practice amp for years now. I think the Spark Mini would be a great travel or late-night amp for sure
I change the topic towards the bass: my first bass amp, a 4 speaker cabinet. Heavy. Not Heavy sound heavy stuff. Today I play 2 Mark Bass amps, one 250 watts with a15" speaker. Makes walls tremble. 15 kilos. I sold immediately my 2 Yorkville bass amps, one 20kg, the other 25. Then I play a micro mark Amp. 5 kg. Last year with the micro mark I played hours, open air, double bass. The audience heard every single note from the bass. 5 kg. Things get lighter. Lucky me with my Fender Deluxe monster, that I get the feel of being a reeeeeeeeal man. At least a Marlboro man. 🤓🤓🤓
Hi Elmo. Constructive criticism guy here. Great review. This is the one. Cheers
Cheers!
Hi Elmo, great review, I have all three Spark Amps, that is the GO will be delivered in late May. The amp sounds amazing for a little guy and love all the features. Thank you! By the way, I'd lop off both my boys to have your freaking hair and guitar skills! 😅
Thanks 🤣
Great review. Bought one yesterday. You must have gotten discount price as they are about $30 more than what you quoted.
Might be. Thanks!
Seems really nice but I can never part with my Yamaha THR 10X. I've had it for years. Its the best in my opinion.
Those sound a lot better than the spark. Even on this video. Spark sounds digital. No depth Especially the distortion sounds.
Just got mine 2 days ago and I'm in love!
Cool 😊
I'm buying it right now thank you for the awesome demo
Hope you enjoy!
What a great review sr! You've gained a follower just now! Also liked a lot the tones you got out of it, nice, nice, nice!!!
Thank you very much :)
Nice Review, just found about the Spark Amps👏🏻💯
GREAT demo - your playing inspires me - I'm in awe of your prowess and style of playing guitar. I also bought the Spark Mini - it's just as you say; brilliant. And it sure opened up some extra space in my practice area! Not sure how Spark does it, but I LOVE this amp! I keep it plugged in with the 9V adaptor, so I don't know about battery life. Awesome product, truly a game changer in my practice room!
Cheers!
The intelligent jam feature is like finding some bandmates on Craigslist.
Hi guys, my personal experience with Bias FX (and this amp is kind of the same thing) and Positive Grid support is really horrible. I just want to save you time and money. Some issues I have with Bias:
- MIDI controller stopped working with a recent update. And even before the update it needed a couple of app restarts to start working. I have other modeler software and no such problems.
- app crashes very often during adding new element to the chain
- I need to login every time I start the app
- UI is not responsive in terms of design making it horrible to use on modern screens
I've been turned off by some channels reviewing PG products, because the creators don't seem to acknowledge the GLARING shortcomings of this company. PG IS AN UNACCOUNTABLE COMPANY, WITH TERRIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES. Consider this a warning...
This os why you buy Yamaha Thr if you want something good, even the cheaper models are very good, and you don't need to wait for it for months...
#Greg Snow thanks for clearing this up.I will now definitely buy this amp since your only issues are Bias, Midi etc which for me are secondary. I just want a practice amp for home.
@@thomasdrake8630 what kind of practices are you talking about?
Halfway through the vid. I'm sold.
Great review, made me want one.your playing was inspiring, thank you.
Thanks :)
Awesome review! Thank you. (and that aint' messy playing lol)
Cheers! :)
I am really impressed with this amp. I use Amplitube on both PC and iPhone but so see the same style of app for the endless configuration but such a small box and speakers making just epic sound. Impressed
At first I thought the 40 was the best a ever and then the mini came along and now I have the spark go and I think that is the most amazing little amplifier ever!
Next they have to come up with a watch sized amp that pumps out as much sound the rest of them.😂
Well - I'm surprised Elmo likes it. The amp does not look too impressive. The impressive thing is that it has a lot of good effects in an apparently easy to use a phone app. It sounded good over my computer speakers. It seems like they could drop the amplifier part and sell the rest as a pedal. They would have a huge market out there for people who already have amps. Their established reputation with their little boombox amps would guarantee massive sales. I have amps, but if there was a Positive Grid pedal, I would be very interested. Thanks for the review.
Thanks! That's actually a very good idea imo.
That's a great fucking idea. I had the bigger brother of this. And to be honest the amps on their own aren't that great. But the effects are pretty decent 👌
Actually they do make pedals with the same effects, except they're individual effects, like a delay pedal and a separate one for distortion. Search positive grid bias pedal.
@@altpath Yes - I believe those pedals are only in their computer model. They describe "pedals on a virtual pedalboard." They are not pedals that one could put on a physical pedal board. I envision a product from them that may be similar to ZOOM pedals where there are multiple effects within a pedal that is hardware.
@@daniellarson3068 no no, they also make physical pedals. I just saw one on reverb used. They're not multi effects units but rather a single pedal to model one type of effect.
That does sound good man. I just scored an early 2000s Vox Tonelab desktop w the 12AX7 Tube for 75 bucks. Mint condition. I'm very impressed w it. I honestly believe there are hidden jewels still in the market that just didn't take off industry wise
I played with one of those back when, good stuff!
Awesome playing Elmo
As always, and great Sounding little amp.
You always do Awesome Demo's ❤️🎸👏👏
Thanks! 😊
@@MrPolevaulter your very welcome you are an absolutely awesome Guitarist and you do great Demo's ❤️🎸👍
what a inmense skyclean!!..thank you thank you Mr EJKarjalainen..but BEST of Roland Mic cube for me!
Cheers!
I have the Bias FX2 app on my iPad and an I-rig audio interface which I use with headphones. It’s great when I am travelling with work. I love the loop function and the UA-cam link for learning solos or any other part of a song that I want to focus on.
Loop function?
Cool Lil’ amp! Thanks for the review Elmo…✌️😎🎸🎶
Thanks! It sure is.
I've watched a couple dozen of these Spark videos and I still don't know how to lay down a continuous drum beat that I can play my guitar to. That's where a lot of creativity comes from.
I have a feeling you make anything sound good! Like those Gary Moore riffs.
Thanks!
Can always depend on your opinions to go check out amps. You have good taste and ears for tone..
Pretty cool little piece of kit, my ears on some sounds where um pretty good some debating , I have to go back and practice on my BOSS Katana Mini :) Great review Elmo, watching you playing I definitely need to practice more lolol
For me the clean sound is most important for pracitising.
I'd love to know what watch you're wearing. Unrelated, I know. Thank you for the review and excellent playing.
My grandfather's old Certina.
@@MrPolevaulterwow, wasn’t expecting a response but thank you. It’s a lovely piece!!!
Tickle Me Elmo!!! Love your reviews! Keep up the great work! Peace! :)
Thanks for this! Didn’t need one. Just bought the mini😂🤟🏻
Incredible the sound of this mini amp, it crushes all the small amps on the market. Dear Elmo, I'm waiting for you to try the Katana air because the other videos I've listened to, I find it really great but I would like to hear your opinion on this famous Boss Katana air
I think it looks really cute, which I like.
Another great review... I always see what you have to say about something before I buy.... 'it sounds astounding'.... thats me sold.
Thanks!
Please Elmo, do a review video of the Mooer DS75 combo amp. That has a looper and drum machine, and there are no aps!
I just ditched all of my practice amps for a Spark Pearl. I have tested on my electric, bass, and acoustic and am impressed. I do have some clipping ot sound cut out on some of the pre-sets that I am looking into
Noise gate potentially
They released Spark Go which is even more crazy cuz it has the same features but trice smaller
If it gets Elmo's approval I may have to pick one up.
Amazing tech these days. Great time to be a guitar player.
Sure is.
I wonder, this Cube 10GX or the Positive Grid Spark Mini as a bedroom practica amp? Great video 🤟🏻
Both are good but I prefer this.
Ok ordered. I expect to play just like in the video! Lol, I can't wait to try my little battery Reface CP e-piano though it too.
I didn't like the first spark too much. I didn't hate it either. That's why I sold it.
But for you to speak so highly of this mini spark, makes me wanna get it.
I'm new in your Channel, you are a great Guitarist, very kindly and this is a great Review, keep on shredding 🤟🤟🤟
Thank you :)
Sounds great but then again Elmo can make anything sound good
Thank you!
Hey Elmo. Great video as always. And great playing! Woulf you mind to share your presets? Also in a future vide, can you compare to the big brother spark?
Thanks! I don't have the big Spark, and don't think I'll buy one. The presets are pretty straight forward. Plexi with a lot of treble, an overdrive before that with tone way up, and some delay. Oh yeah, a noise gate as well.
You needed a drummer(stinger)for the"It's SO tiny,She said"remark!🥁😁
i haven’t played it yet, but i was kind a surprised, that you liked it. normally you are more in favor of real tube amps, so this amp really must sound good! unfortunately i have way more gear already, than i actually use, so i seriously can’t justify before myself, why i should need to buy it. a pitty!
what i actually don’t like about the spark mini, and many other amps, is that you need a phone to operate it. what if you had to use a phone with dialing wheel to operate a marshal plexy? you’d be lost now! a lot of my audio equipment is 30 years old and still works. i doubt than you still can operate the mini with any kind of app in 30 from now.
Yeah, the longevity of it is one thing that worries me. Might be that even my Micro Cubes will live longer than the Spark Mini.
@@MrPolevaulter micro cubes and cockroaches will be the only survivors in a nuclear armaggedon
Thank you Elmo finally battery amp!! I'll buy it!! Aloha from your friend from Israel 🇮🇱!!
Aloha 😊
Enjoyed that... Great review 🤘
Love the Gary Moore guitar shout out.
Yeah I love mine. I have the Spark 40 also and they both sound really great with all of the modeling options.
Sure do
Bonjour Elmo
It's great what you are doing
I was wondering if 1 year later it's still working ?
I want to buy one but I was wondering if there is anything better now!?
Thanks
Hey Elmo, great review! Thanks a lot for showing smaller model. Is there any chance that you can share your presets with us? Thanks!
Thanks! I might over on my Patreon at some point.
That's was too funny , when you played the positive grid, backing track 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah :D