Spark amp impressions
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This is a copy of my first post re the spark amp.
jimdurkin71 jimdurkin71 10 days ago
ordered my spark 25th march got it yesterday 15/04/2021.
3 weeks in total and came with the bag and 3 pin earthed plug.
i will post later on my thoughts after a bit more time with the amp. but first impressions, this thing is Beautifully built. very 60s retro and looks ace.
spent 2 hours with it and I am knocked out how good this sounds. no buzzes or hum or crackles or anything other than some FANTASTIC sounds.
played the thrill is gone track and played along using the bb king tone and couldnt stop... this amp is the dogs b********* astonishing just how good this sounds.gotta go need to switch it back on,.....
Update:
Still can’t stop playing this. Gotta say that it’s a long time since I have played this much in years.I have over 50 years experience playing guitar, countless live gigs and studio work.
My regular rig was a fender twin, tube screamer, wah pedal for tone.
This amp is the nearest I have ever come to getting THAT sound at a low volume and loud it’s just sublime.Fab amp, GREAT sounds. All at a lovely low volume if needed. Even better loud and it can get loud.
Don’t care much for the smart jam.
Great idea but poorly executed. It may be that with the sheer blast off with this amp, positive grid just simply had their hands full and could not spend the time probably preplanned for the development.
That said, if they improve this over time I would happily give it go.
I all ready, have saved in the 4 slots the tones I need and can’t wait to try this out with a full band in my mates studio...once this dreadful epidemic is over.
I have given this a bit of thought and given the lack of a simple line out, that doesn’t cut out the amp speakers.
Then the only way to go, is either a microphone on the cab, or a summing cable from the headphone socket.
( which turns off the speaker) fed into either a powered cab for stage monitoring and/or mixer to front of house
and fold back monitors on stage.
This really piddles me right off. I am aware that mods could be made on the amp to give a line out.
But, not sure if this would affect the internal electronics. It would certainly affect warranty. No doubt someone will tell me it is eminently possible. But please, don’t.
Once again, this amp sounds superb with the sounds I need.
The ability to play backing tracks from YouTube is superb, it keeps my chops up whilst simply enjoying the experience.The one thing I would love to see ?
a 2 x 12 stereo version of this amp and software and whatever additional speakers built in also, if needed to preserve this stunning quality.
I’d pay for that....oh yes.Edit
Nearly forgot.....
WE NEED A MANUAL.......and once again. Mods WHERE ARE YOU. This is a great product and you also need to support us, the people who bought this amp and invested in your company and believed in this amp as a game changer.
Come on mods especially with the lack of a proper manual, then I have some questions to ask and I’m guessing so do a lot of other buyers.
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@jimdurkin71 There's a PDF manual in the support section of the website: https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002263432
Also, it's just a PRACTICE AMP. It's not designed for live performance, it's not designed to be rigged up to PA systems or blasted through a Marshall stack. I've never seen so many people try to make something do so many things that it wasn't supposed to do.
It's just a practice amp.
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@k-mcg please don’t shout, I know it’s a PRACTICE AMP, and have no intention of blasting it through any kind of stack. Had a bad day av yeh.
The sound quality at low levels is what I’m interested in. And the tones available are easily good enough to pass muster in a small gig. Hence my thoughts on the subject. Got no intention to argue the toss with you.
Regarding my request for the manual. Obviously you think I’m stupid enough not to realise it’s a PRACTICE AMP.
So thought I was also too thick to find the manual. Sorry but I found that some time last year.
The manual I’m after is a good detailed one that explains the hierarchy regarding let’s say the hardware knobs and the software knobs and many many more questions I would like to ask.Funny thing about forums, some you can really learn and gain knowledge and have a crack with like minded musos. Some, ya get people who seem to be a tad belligerent and impatient.
If ya one of them....do one. If not, nice to meet ya. -
@jimdurkin71 Nice snarky response, I'm impressed.
With regard to the hardware knobs, here's my advice, take it or leave it or joyfully stuff it up your hole, I don't care:
Turn all the hardware knobs except Output to 12 O' clock, and never, ever touch them again. Ever.
All your adjustments should be made via the app. No, I don't care if fiddling with knobs is your personal thing. The knobs are nothing but an afterthought for the plebs and proles who don't have a device that can use the app.
No need to @ me, you all know I'm right.
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@k-mcg might be worth while having your f******* thyroid function checked.
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@jimdurkin71 Thanks for the medical advice, Doc.
???
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@k-mcg your very welcome.
What do you think about the tones themselves from this amp ?
I’m quite impressed really about the tone at low levels, they seem to stack up so far.
Trying to play quietly and not disturb family and neighbours has always been a pain.
I already have the presonus DAW and will hopefully do some recording with this at the weekend.
Got a good feeling I can get the sounds I want without blasting the neighbourhood.
Look after yerself kid.EDIT
Sorry, missed the ???
Thyroid issues can cause mood fluctuations, I didn’t seriously mean to suggest you had a medical problem,
Just a knee jerk reaction at the time.
We all have our moods I guess and not necessarily medical related.Once again, keep pluckin.
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@jimdurkin71 Regarding the tones, I agree. I like the overdrives and distortions very much, absolutely adore the delays and reverbs, but don'thave much use for the vibrato and tremelo much.
At just 40 watts, it can't compete in a band set up, not even a rehearsal, and without pedal control it's pointless anyway. Even just noodling at home, I'd like pedal control more than anything.
As for anyone thinking about hooking it up for live gigs, just no. Don't bother. It can't possibly sound the same through a PA system or power amp and cabs as it does in your living room. Use appropriate tools for the appropriate situation. And still, no pedal.
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@jimdurkin71 I could not agree more. Once past the crazy shipping fiasco, this amp is very impressive. I am completely blown away by the sound this little amp produces, and the tones are incredible. If they come out with a 75-100W 2X12, or 2X10 amp with this software, and sound, they would easily challenge all the big amp manufactures out there.
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@jonrdamesr Agree on the game changing, industry rocking potential of this thing.
It has already done that, really so why not world domination?
Heh
The sound, quality of the FX, its there.
Software is excellent. Plus it is very handsome
This is important. Nicely done.The existing box could be easily and simply converted to a head.
Take out speakers, stick a power amp in there.There is room on the left end of the existing back metal panel of the chassis
for a jack. (panel where the blu blinker sits).
TRS for L&R speaker out
12v Auto audio amp would do it.Now, how to do an XLR out...?
@jimdurkin71 Laughed out loud at your comments. My experience completely
as an also old school tube guy. I find myself carrying on about it.
This thing is great. So smooth. And No Noise. I have to say,
I did not anticipate how much I would not miss
that aspect of our old tube friends.Thank you Positive Grid.
Especially for the workingman's price.
Looking forward to Pearl. -
@k-mcg miked it into a 600w full range PA........ absolutely superb..... now tell me it won’t sound good.
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@grokka this little thing sounds nice and loud when needed, miked it through 600w PA.. sounded superb.
Sounded great through the small fold back monitor as well.
If I was still gigging I would definitely use this miked up and fed to onstage monitor.
Beats carting round a beast of a fender twin....lol.
Sounds a good idea that, turn it into a head with a 2 x 12 then I’m buying one.
What a bargain at the price. -
@k-mcg oh well.. shame they went to all that expense providing knobs.......
Couldn’t disagree more.. used them to fine tune a tone through the PA... try having a go at actually using them before dismissing them out of hand. Yeh I know it’s a PRACTICE AMP.. try practicing using the knobs.
Sorry only plebs and proles do that,..I forgot.....
Got an over inflated opinion of yourself son haven’t ya.. av you got any mates ?
Just a bit of background info for ya.
Been playing for over 50 years, quite by accident became lead guitar in a reggae band and stayed for over a decade. Rock band afterwards just for a change of music and styles. Extensive studio work both in my own home studio and many other commercial studios. After all these years you would think I would have learnt a bit about signal paths, sound treatment, and generally what works and what doesn’t. In all those years I have never ever had the kind of dogmatic rhetoric spouted to me from the likes of you.
I’m open to ideas and help.. and will willingly give help,to others if wanted. I don’t necessarily want to be metaphorically shouted at for a bloody forum post.