Just got mine. Honestly I'm an intermediate got big amps but this little guy is gonna change my playing I am more excited than I've been in 20 yrs. Yes I suck comparing my self to anyone playing out but I'm loving it man I'm 54 now and finally I'm going to focus on my leads then ever before..4 kids house and family haven't played in 20 years but I'm going for it for myself and my 6 year old boy who's drumming..life can be good and usually I think it sucks. Thanks positive grid.
I'm in the same life situation and have been checking these things out. Going through YT, I'm not a fan of players who try too hard to be "personalities", this Steve Stine seems like a regular person and I've done the thing that I never do: like and subscribe! I'll be going through his vids to get me back up to speed. My only concern about the Spark is: 5 years from now if the company goes out of business will it be a brick? Thanks for your comment Scott, nice to know there are others in my situation. Also, Steve, thanks for your content! You're a helluva player, can't wait to start learning again!
I have almost the exact same story except that I'm 69. I made my living for 25 years on the blues scene in Manhattan at night and working my guitar store during the day. I moved to floriduh in 2000 and forgot how to play! Nobody was a pro where I landed (Clearwater) Sad and depressing. I saw Darrel Braun demo the thing and for some reason, the musician in me woke up and decided I wasn't done yet. Can't wait to get into it!
Hey, Steve, I really appreciate your doing this video. My wife got me one for Christmas, and I've been hunting and pecking my way around it. Your tutorial was clear and honest, and I really appreciate you. It's going to help me get the most out of my practice time.
Steve, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to put this together for both those of us that are awaiting and those who need to see it in action.
I ordered mine 4 months ago and just got it yesterday! I’m telling you it was definitely worth the wait! It is a badass amp. You definitely won’t be able to stop playing it once you get it the tones are unreal man and it puts out badass sound! I got it for about 235 it was the pre order but even if it was 300 I would get it! Order it ASAP you won’t be sorry!! Technology is beautiful haha
After finding him randomly on RUclips, he’s managed to funnel money out of my wallet and in to his. I don’t regret a single penny I’ve spent. He’s awesome
Hey Steve, thanks for the tutorial on the Spark amp. I have had my Spark amp for 7 months and have learned more from your video than I have anywhere else in the last 7 months. Thanks again!
I've had this a couple of years. Once you've set up your favourite sounds forget connecting to devices, it's distracting, this amp has its own fantastic sounds and modulation built in. Treat it like a normal amp and your good to go.
I got mine a couple days, well described. I was surprised that I figured most of what you explained just playing with the a amp a few minutes… without the manual. Sound is plenty loud, even can get too loud for home practice. Sounds is amazing. I Recommend the Spark big time!
Blake Buwamd the amp is loud, however the volume for the wi fi connection is not (music) I have that going to my PA system. You can buy one right now on eBay for $400!
Actually, they now have a Bluetooth switch that can change to one of the four presets stored on the amp. So you could store your preferred patches on the amp and switch between them on the fly.
If you're talking the airstep spark edition, it actually has different modes, some you can turn on and off pedals plus switch through presets, and one mode even has a looper.
I have found that now I get up in the morning and grab a guitar in my PJs and just start jamming to tunes, as opposed to waiting until I get ready, get to the studio, etc. it’s been motivating just just start playing in the morning while drinking coffee 😊
Steve...THANKS!! I just got my Spark amp yesterday and, being a true beginner, had no idea how to do much beyond turning it on. You really helped me to figure out how to find the various presets on the App and how to store them in the four "pre-set" buttons. I'm having a ton of fun exploring now!
Steve thanks for the review and I just wanted to say I really appreciate your very kind personality, and full on willingness to always help in anyway you can. Its refreshing to see, over the years I have been around quite a few artist or musicians who seem to have for whatever reason very highly inflated egos and are hard to get along with or honestly just plain assholes and you don't seem to be like that at all, and that's very cool indeed.
I’ve been playing for over 45 years and have TONS of gear, ting back too 1976 until now, but I gotta’ tell ya’ this is a fantastic jam friend! Great tones, effects, etc. Just think if we had this kind of gear, back in the day! We’d ALL be so much better players… IMO. LUV’n My Spark, but NEVER selling my analog gear, EVER!!! Thanks for the video Steve and all the help and hard work for us all! Best! ✌🏼 (PS Merry XMAS 🎄 🎅)
This unit is totally awesome for the cost. It is a Jam ON machine! Granted I am no pro. I've been playing for 40 yrs and this thing is is one of the top 5 buy's for my guitar playin ever.
I've had mine a few days now. Still figuring it all out too. I guess I need to make notes because it has so many voices, I play around then can't remember what I used 1 or 2 songs back! Anyhow the potential is amazing, it's great fun, especially during lockdown. It's like having a ton of amps and pedals so the value is amazing, throw in the drums and everything else it's crazy. I think it's an aid to composition and all sorts. Will keep me busy anyhow. I'd love them to do one with a battery for busking and a channel for a microphone but hey this is incredible value for home.
I just got mine after 5 month back-order. While that was frustrating during all the stay at home Covid crap it was worth the wait. Excellent job running through the features. I learned a lot from it. I think for the price it is a great way to help me learn and practice.
The amp and technology are cool at a low price. Most of the review videos feature a lot of fast notes with metal distortion. I'd love to hear a variety of Fenders tube tones with some slow blues. Blackface Super Reverb, Tweed Bassman, Deluxe Reverb, etc. It seems odd when equipment reviews choose heavy distortion.
No one complains about modeling quality of low gain amps. They often complain about high gain tones, where overdrive, saturation, and sag can be difficult to accurately represent. A poor modeler sounds like garbage with high gain sounds. That's why hard rock/metal reviews are necessary.
@@KG-wp6gh I guess it depends on what you play. My experience is that the lightly overdriven amp tone has taken the longest to catch up to clean and high gain in modeling. Seemed to take forever to get a decent SRV tone w/ digital. Maybe high gain tones were decent much sooner but not refined until more recently?
@@coppulor6500 Fully agree. It's the nuanced tones that are more difficult to emulate accurately in my experience as well. That's why the Yamaha THR10C impressed me so much as a modeling amp. It's not perfect, but, it's very impressive for what it is. Running to the exact same issues there though, no included effects loop and no way to integrate looping effectively.
@@coppulor6500 the great Hong about this amp, mine it's easy to finely adjust tone nuances are relatively easy to match what you think is the right tone. The modeling of this amp is very good and easy to adjust amp nuances yourself to what you think is right.... Love this amp, a brilliant creative tool that sounds great and is fun, fun, fun. Makes you want to play, play play...
Thank you so much for this upload! I just received my SPARK . It took 10 days to get here after I placed my order. I couldn't be happier with this unit! It is replacing my DigiTech iPB-10 which was a total disaster since inception! I hope Positive Grid finds a way to incorporate their Bias FX series into the SPARK, I know there is much talk about it. This would be an incredible merger! Again, thank you for all your pointers on the SPARK... Thumbs up from me as usual... Stay safe... Rico
Thanks for watching! :-) Just wanted to let you know, Steve’s holding a free webinar today (Tuesday, June 15th) at 5 PM Pacific called 5 Music Theory Shortcuts Every Guitarist Should Know. In the webinar, you’ll discover: -- 4 essential chords you need to know to play 90% of popular songs so you’ll never have to look up tabs -- 1 easy way to use the major scale to find ANY chord on the fretboard. -- 1 simple tip to memorize all the notes. -- How to choose the right scale for your solos so you can improvise over any song across the fretboard. The webinar is NOT on RUclips. If you want to join, go here to get registered: guitarzoom.com/musictheorymadeeasy20/webinar/registration/ ...and hurry, because spots are limited. :-) Hope to see you at the webinar! -- Mike from GuitarZoom
I ordered 2 amps the 2nd week of January. When I ordered the shipping date stated end of February, so I went ahead and ordered thinking 6 weeks. I received an email on Feb 4th stating the shipping date was being delayed until the End of March. That makes it 10 weeks (if they are on time). That's a long wait for someone that ordered $448 worth of products.
I've got one on order just since early February. Now I am NOT an apologist for Positive Grid - they surely could do better. But if people check their emails, they will see that Positive Grid has in fact been very regular with updating the status of their orders, at least in my case. Additionally, I just got BiasFX full package software, a 100USD retail product, for free due to the delays in production. Quite a few people are slagging Positive Grid for the slowness - as I said, they absolutely could do better. But 3 things: they've been honest that the interest level has far exceeded their wildest projections, who the hell predicted Wuhan Virus and how long exactly did the first Tesla car owners have to wait before they finally got their vehicles? And that's for a car, not a couple hundred bucks for a potentially game changing practice amp. I for one am sad I haven't gotten mine yet [last update indicated end March], but I do understand the issues and for sure am willing to be patient.
Hi Steve Have just started learning electric guitar at the age of 63 and have purchased a spark amp. However I’m having difficulty in setting the controls on the amp itself for the various sounds. I know it’s personal choice but as a guide where would you have the control knobs turned to. Appreciate any help Cheers Nick
Greetings Nick... I too at the ripe age of 49 just picked up my first guitar during this lock down .. and my spark will be here tomorrow. I hope your journey continues .
Yeah it's not immediately clear how to do everything. They should probably include some kind of tutorial. I'm technically savvy, fortunately, so I've been bumbling my way through it. Easiest thing is to just start out with the preset amps for the time being if you're just learning. This really is a cool amp. I have a thousand dollar half stack (yeah it's a cheap HDFX one haha) and I can't get anything to sound as good on it as this spark amp.
I've gotta say this is making me want to buy it just to get back into regular practice and playing. Miss playing so much, it pisses me off some days. Those of you who actually have one, let me know how good you find it as a learning tool, please? Thanks in advance and God Bless You All!
I think the app is the selling point for this amp. It looks really nice and lots of cool features. It'd be a lot easier to slap the ipad on a music stand than hunch over a little practice amp.
I do wish one thing more from the AWSOME unit. When you lay down a little grove, that you played, once analyzed, that what you played as a rhythm track would play through the unit along with the new bass & drums.
Just ordered mine. Thanks for sharing! Wondering when going into your DAW you can record in only the drum track it created. I already have a mustang iv modeling Amp and understand this is a practice Amp but would love for it to create beats that I can upload to my pc and into my DAW to use just the drum track from the free jam option.
I got my Spark October 19th having ordered it on the 14th. I'm surprised how the speaker sounds. Loud, but also sounds like the sound is all around you the way it reverberates around any room I've tried it in. It's also REALLY loud... unless you wanna play this with someone playing drums like, you're good. You won't need any more volume short of that.
Thanks Steve :-) I went ahead and pre-ordered one after watching your video. What an impressive little amp. I am sure I will get a lot of positive progress on my playing using all the included features.
Thanks for the insight, Steve. I am a newbie to guitar and decided to buy a spark amp for my very first amp, and WOW, my head is spinning. I am amazed at how many tones and creations I can try to figure out while I am learning. My advice to all the newbies like me out there, give it a good hard go and don't be put off by the tech side of this little beast, it will actually give you more incentive to want to learn and play more.
Thanks Steve, definitely trust and value your opinion. After watching your review, think I'll order one today. Quick question... do you think it could be used with a Roland GR33 synth??
Nice one and thanks for the video. Would you say the best operating tool is a tablet? iphone probably a bit too small and computer a bit too big? Very tempted ...as long as I don't need a pilot's licence!
Well, there is NOT at this point, I don’t know their plans in the future, but I know the tonecloud is available to everyone, but I could see them creating purchasable updates sometime in the future, like more effects, or more amps, speakers, etc, but that’s just my speculation of what their model has been before
I placed my order oct 14, got it oct 19... I'd say they fixed their supply and demand problems. Know a few people who also got them super fast. Love this thing.
If I start to play the chords to (for example) All my Loving by the Beatles are you saying this amp will add the correct bass line over the chords and the right drum rhythm to the rhythm I am strumming on the guitar. Is that correct? Because that would make this amp incredible. I would love to hear a demonstration of that please?
John Berry No mate it won’t respond to real released music, it just supposedly gets a feel for what you want and plays something appropriate alongside it
John Berry Tom Linton is correct, it won’t generate the original rhythm section of studio recordings, but it will generate a bass line that follows the root notes of the chords you play, and a drum track to go with it. That’s basically what the Digitech Trio pedal does for $350+! What the Trio won’t do, however, is “listen” to All My Lovin’ and show you the chords being played in the recording. The day a device can do what you’re asking isn’t quite here yet, but I won’t be surprised when it arrives someday.
Smart Jam listens to I think 8 bars of YOU playing guitar. Then it stops listening. It auto generates a band to go with what you played for a few seconds. THEN you can jam to that. HOWEVER... There's NO WAY to save those cool jams it automatically creates, for future listening to... this is a big complaint I have. You get a unique smart jam every time, with no way to save one you like to jam to later again. That's a huge flaw in my opinion. But still, I paid $318 canadian dollars, got the thing delivered in 5 days to middle of nowhere Nova Scotia... so I'm VERY happy with it so far. It could use some more features, like more freedom to use youtube. Seems there's only a curated Top Picks selection of videos, which sucks. Hoping I'm missing something but it doesn't look like I am.
Thank you for doing this video Steve I really appreciate it. I've had this Spark unit brand new in the box since Christmas waiting for the right time to crack into it which I'm finally getting ready to do so to get this primer on it was really seriously valuable 🤙🏼
Thanks for your helpful review. Do know if it can be used in a live situation (say a small gig of about 50 people)? In which case, better to mic it or used headphones out into mixer /PA?
I've saved some settings but where are they saved to..might be a stupid question. Great video as always my friend ty I ordered at the beginning waited months but when I got it I knew I had something special I'm not a techie so I am struggling with it all and I am sure watching you and Darren Braun etc ill learn that way..ha ha
They have no plans to distribute the Spark amp through retailers !! I suspect that the amps are made for about £45 a piece and they hope to keep all the profits for them selves with no margin for retail which they haven't removed but will keep for themselves. They aren't even going to distribute through the likes of Thomann or Amazon - Mainly because they can't deliver !! A demonstrator at Dawsons Music UK has done a demo on the Spark . Why? they won't be getting any- Ask them !!
@@duncbt I also pre-ordered and expect end of Feb, according to Positive Grid site updates. I'm in CANADA. Worldwide shipping included into cost. I'm getting excited!
Thank you Steve for showing me how the amp works I've been thinking about getting two of them but wasn't sold on it but you help me decide so Monday my Christmas shopping well be done. And Merry Christmas to you and your family. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ send many blessings to you and your family brother Amen.
Hi, Nice tutorial. I'm just new with Positive Grid. I got Bias FX Pro on my macbook and it sound great. I also hooked up the midi commander by usb and it control Bias FX perfectly. I wonder if I can do the same thing with Spark and my Midi commander. Best.
Sounds amazing - even better than expected. Worth double the price imo. Expect a wait - don't get it if you need something NOW. I ordered early Dec and received it late May. Well worth the wait, but I didn't need it right away, so...
Shame that your review didn't come up on my search first! Watched 5 others that said it jams along with you but didn't actually show the feature. Should have known better and just gone straight to Steve Stine! Great in depth review, thank you
I just got mine today. A long wait,since it is now 4/24/20 and I pre-ordered it in 11/2019. But the whole China shutdown thing was to blame.I have not downloaded the manual yet, so I'm watching RUclips viDs to help me learn this thing. BUT, it sounds great,and I'm so excited. The only thing is, I'm a bass player and it seems that the backing jam tracks already have bass in it. I am wondering if there are options for me.
Hey Steve, First off I’m a huge fan and I enjoy your lessons, especially your blues orientated ones! Anyway, I finally received my Spark Amp after 6 months lol. My question is about using the looping system which I believe is part of the Bias FX app ( correct me if I’m wrong ) - have you used this function and if so have you made any videos pertaining to that aspect? I think this would be invaluable for practicing and learning especially working along with some of your lessons as well. If you have any tips / guidance on that realm it would be appreciated and thanks in advance! PS - I realize by now it’s not so ‘new’ and this video is getting dated but I hope this message finds you 🤙
Yea they seem to be shipping fast now. My cousin waited 6 months I got min in 8 days. I think it is a cool amp so far but backing tracks are not playing through the amp only the iPad. I'm waiting to hear back from PG.
Looks like a great bit of kit! I have the Yamaha THR10 at the moment and while it's amazing, this looks like more of what I would want from a small form factor amp.
Great video Steve. I noticed that 2 amps you have in your "stock" settings are: 05 Blues John Mayer ish 05 Pop Eric Jognson Clean Sound Are these you've added from SoundCloud or are they your own configuration you've saved in your folders? Also with quick jam (compose your own backtrack) can that track be saved for later use in the app?
Steve, thanks for the review. Does it have a looper function when you played chords and it came up with a beat and bass track? So then you could add chords over it then solo?
I did NOT see that as a feature, the only capability of looping is sections of the actual track you are listening to, NOT your actual guitar parts, if that makes sense.
When you play into it and get your drum/bass backing track can you then lay down the chords so you can jam a lead to the entire track? I guess simply put, does it have a looper?
This was an excellent video but I am still a little confused. I have ordered this Spark Amp but doesn’t look like it will arrive for another couple of months. I therefore yesterday ordered a Boss RC-30 ( It will arrive next week) to use with my current practice amp. Will this looper work and give me more options ? Or is it a waste of money ? In which case I will just return it when it arrives. Any help GREATLY appreciated.
Just got mine. Honestly I'm an intermediate got big amps but this little guy is gonna change my playing I am more excited than I've been in 20 yrs. Yes I suck comparing my self to anyone playing out but I'm loving it man I'm 54 now and finally I'm going to focus on my leads then ever before..4 kids house and family haven't played in 20 years but I'm going for it for myself and my 6 year old boy who's drumming..life can be good and usually I think it sucks. Thanks positive grid.
I’m on the shelf, is it all it’s cracked up to be? Playing for only a couple years and just a hobby.
Music is not a competition. Enjoy the time with your son. Best regards ;)
So what do you think now? Did it get you motivated to play lead better? I’m about to pull the trigger on buying one of these.
I'm in the same life situation and have been checking these things out. Going through YT, I'm not a fan of players who try too hard to be "personalities", this Steve Stine seems like a regular person and I've done the thing that I never do: like and subscribe! I'll be going through his vids to get me back up to speed.
My only concern about the Spark is: 5 years from now if the company goes out of business will it be a brick?
Thanks for your comment Scott, nice to know there are others in my situation.
Also, Steve, thanks for your content! You're a helluva player, can't wait to start learning again!
I have almost the exact same story except that I'm 69. I made my living for 25 years on the blues scene in Manhattan at night and working my guitar store during the day. I moved to floriduh in 2000 and forgot how to play! Nobody was a pro where I landed (Clearwater) Sad and depressing. I saw Darrel Braun demo the thing and for some reason, the musician in me woke up and decided I wasn't done yet. Can't wait to get into it!
Hey, Steve, I really appreciate your doing this video. My wife got me one for Christmas, and I've been hunting and pecking my way around it. Your tutorial was clear and honest, and I really appreciate you. It's going to help me get the most out of my practice time.
Just such a genuine dude! Have followed Steve since I first discovered him! Just keep being you Steve, no paid promotions and affinity programs!
Steve, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to put this together for both those of us that are awaiting and those who need to see it in action.
I ordered mine 4 months ago and just got it yesterday! I’m telling you it was definitely worth the wait! It is a badass amp. You definitely won’t be able to stop playing it once you get it the tones are unreal man and it puts out badass sound! I got it for about 235 it was the pre order but even if it was 300 I would get it! Order it ASAP you won’t be sorry!! Technology is beautiful haha
This guy's just the best teacher there is.
After finding him randomly on RUclips, he’s managed to funnel money out of my wallet and in to his. I don’t regret a single penny I’ve spent. He’s awesome
Hey Steve, thanks for the tutorial on the Spark amp. I have had my Spark amp for 7 months and have learned more from your video than I have anywhere else in the last 7 months. Thanks again!
I've had this a couple of years. Once you've set up your favourite sounds forget connecting to devices, it's distracting, this amp has its own fantastic sounds and modulation built in. Treat it like a normal amp and your good to go.
Only place I come to trust the reviews and the lessons. This fella along with Justin Guitar. Who needs a teacher with these legends about !
I just ordered my Spark. I cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
arrived yet? thx
I got mine a couple days, well described. I was surprised that I figured most of what you explained just playing with the a amp a few minutes… without the manual. Sound is plenty loud, even can get too loud for home practice. Sounds is amazing. I Recommend the Spark big time!
is it loud enough to play with a drummer????
I'm just pleased to see someone demo the smart jam backing track aspect.
Thanks for rekindling my passion for The Call Steve, 80s band very under rated in my opinion, great sounds
I trust Steve, I'm an advanced player. I go back from time to time for refreshing. This guy is hands down the best.
I ordered mine on December, 2019 and I received it yesterday. It was worth the wait! Been using the free plug ins on my I Phone.
December😯😯😯😮😮
how does it sound in real life
Congrats man \o/ Ordered on Dec. 8th also. Maybe I'm on top of the queue in a few.
Blake Buwamd the amp is loud, however the volume for the wi fi connection is not (music) I have that going to my PA system. You can buy one right now on eBay for $400!
Actually, they now have a Bluetooth switch that can change to one of the four presets stored on the amp. So you could store your preferred patches on the amp and switch between them on the fly.
If you're talking the airstep spark edition, it actually has different modes, some you can turn on and off pedals plus switch through presets, and one mode even has a looper.
Hi Steve, thanks for Taking the time to review this amp. I just ordered mine yesterday and can’t wait to get started.
I have found that now I get up in the morning and grab a guitar in my PJs and just start jamming to tunes, as opposed to waiting until I get ready, get to the studio, etc. it’s been motivating just just start playing in the morning while drinking coffee 😊
Steve...THANKS!! I just got my Spark amp yesterday and, being a true beginner, had no idea how to do much beyond turning it on. You really helped me to figure out how to find the various presets on the App and how to store them in the four "pre-set" buttons. I'm having a ton of fun exploring now!
Best PG Spark Amp Demo yet - thank you!
Steve thanks for the review and I just wanted to say I really appreciate your very kind personality, and full on willingness to always help in anyway you can. Its refreshing to see, over the years I have been around quite a few artist or musicians who seem to have for whatever reason very highly inflated egos and are hard to get along with or honestly just plain assholes and you don't seem to be like that at all, and that's very cool indeed.
Thank you Steve. Positive grid amp just got one and loving it. Thanks for explaining some of the features
I’ve been playing for over 45 years and have TONS of gear, ting back too 1976 until now, but I gotta’ tell ya’ this is a fantastic jam friend!
Great tones, effects, etc.
Just think if we had this kind of gear, back in the day! We’d ALL be so much better players… IMO.
LUV’n My Spark, but NEVER selling my analog gear, EVER!!!
Thanks for the video Steve and all the help and hard work for us all!
Best! ✌🏼
(PS Merry XMAS 🎄 🎅)
This unit is totally awesome for the cost. It is a Jam ON machine! Granted I am no pro. I've been playing for 40 yrs and this thing is is one of the top 5 buy's for my guitar playin ever.
My Spark amp arrived yesterday. Your video is helping me learn more about how it all comes together.
I've had mine a few days now. Still figuring it all out too. I guess I need to make notes because it has so many voices, I play around then can't remember what I used 1 or 2 songs back!
Anyhow the potential is amazing, it's great fun, especially during lockdown. It's like having a ton of amps and pedals so the value is amazing, throw in the drums and everything else it's crazy. I think it's an aid to composition and all sorts. Will keep me busy anyhow.
I'd love them to do one with a battery for busking and a channel for a microphone but hey this is incredible value for home.
Amplifiers have come a long way! That's a neat amp for sure!
I just got mine after 5 month back-order. While that was frustrating during all the stay at home Covid crap it was worth the wait. Excellent job running through the features. I learned a lot from it. I think for the price it is a great way to help me learn and practice.
The amp and technology are cool at a low price. Most of the review videos feature a lot of fast notes with metal distortion. I'd love to hear a variety of Fenders tube tones with some slow blues.
Blackface Super Reverb, Tweed Bassman, Deluxe Reverb, etc. It seems odd when equipment reviews choose heavy distortion.
No one complains about modeling quality of low gain amps. They often complain about high gain tones, where overdrive, saturation, and sag can be difficult to accurately represent. A poor modeler sounds like garbage with high gain sounds. That's why hard rock/metal reviews are necessary.
Both are good
@@KG-wp6gh I guess it depends on what you play. My experience is that the lightly overdriven amp tone has taken the longest to catch up to clean and high gain in modeling. Seemed to take forever to get a decent SRV tone w/ digital. Maybe high gain tones were decent much sooner but not refined until more recently?
@@coppulor6500 Fully agree. It's the nuanced tones that are more difficult to emulate accurately in my experience as well. That's why the Yamaha THR10C impressed me so much as a modeling amp. It's not perfect, but, it's very impressive for what it is. Running to the exact same issues there though, no included effects loop and no way to integrate looping effectively.
@@coppulor6500 the great Hong about this amp, mine it's easy to finely adjust tone nuances are relatively easy to match what you think is the right tone. The modeling of this amp is very good and easy to adjust amp nuances yourself to what you think is right.... Love this amp, a brilliant creative tool that sounds great and is fun, fun, fun. Makes you want to play, play play...
Best demo video of this by far. Cant wait to get mine. Keep up the great work 👍👍
Thanks!
Still waiting on mine, but thank you! You're one of the best instructors ever!
Thank you so much for this upload! I just received my SPARK . It took 10 days to get here after I placed my order. I couldn't be happier with this unit! It is replacing my DigiTech iPB-10 which was a total disaster since inception! I hope Positive Grid finds a way to incorporate their Bias FX series into the SPARK, I know there is much talk about it. This would be an incredible merger! Again, thank you for all your pointers on the SPARK... Thumbs up from me as usual... Stay safe... Rico
Bias amp 2 and bias fx2 work on/in Bias Mini Guitar amplifier!
Thanks a bunch, man.
You've given an 80% , BUT, everyone else gave a 5. You just me enough to getting interested vs Bored or Overwhelmed.
Thanks
Great job Steve. I really appreciate the explanations of the features, something that P. Grid's documentation doesn't do.
Thanks for watching! :-)
Just wanted to let you know, Steve’s holding a free webinar today (Tuesday, June 15th) at 5 PM Pacific called 5 Music Theory Shortcuts Every Guitarist Should Know.
In the webinar, you’ll discover:
-- 4 essential chords you need to know to play 90% of popular songs so you’ll never have to look up tabs
-- 1 easy way to use the major scale to find ANY chord on the fretboard.
-- 1 simple tip to memorize all the notes.
-- How to choose the right scale for your solos so you can improvise over any song across the fretboard.
The webinar is NOT on RUclips. If you want to join, go here to get registered:
guitarzoom.com/musictheorymadeeasy20/webinar/registration/
...and hurry, because spots are limited. :-)
Hope to see you at the webinar!
-- Mike from GuitarZoom
Just received my amp today! Your video answers a plethora of questions. Much appreciated!
Awesome demo. Thank you for actually showing how the app works. I’m excited to get mine in the mail soon.
I ordered 2 amps the 2nd week of January. When I ordered the shipping date stated end of February, so I went ahead and ordered thinking 6 weeks. I received an email on Feb 4th stating the shipping date was being delayed until the End of March. That makes it 10 weeks (if they are on time). That's a long wait for someone that ordered $448 worth of products.
That's what they told me too. Someone really screwed up!!!
Good As GOLD u should’ve expected manufacturing holdups.
I've got one on order just since early February. Now I am NOT an apologist for Positive Grid - they surely could do better. But if people check their emails, they will see that Positive Grid has in fact been very regular with updating the status of their orders, at least in my case. Additionally, I just got BiasFX full package software, a 100USD retail product, for free due to the delays in production.
Quite a few people are slagging Positive Grid for the slowness - as I said, they absolutely could do better. But 3 things: they've been honest that the interest level has far exceeded their wildest projections, who the hell predicted Wuhan Virus and how long exactly did the first Tesla car owners have to wait before they finally got their vehicles? And that's for a car, not a couple hundred bucks for a potentially game changing practice amp.
I for one am sad I haven't gotten mine yet [last update indicated end March], but I do understand the issues and for sure am willing to be patient.
Just got my hands on my Spark Amp yesterday. It's absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing this video and putting it on my radar.
I just got one of these the other day. And seriously, it’s 100% worth it. Just for the fact that it makes me want to play way more.
Hi Steve
Have just started learning electric guitar at the age of 63 and have purchased a spark amp.
However I’m having difficulty in setting the controls on the amp itself for the various sounds.
I know it’s personal choice but as a guide where would you have the control knobs turned to.
Appreciate any help
Cheers Nick
Greetings Nick... I too at the ripe age of 49 just picked up my first guitar during this lock down .. and my spark will be here tomorrow. I hope your journey continues .
Yeah it's not immediately clear how to do everything. They should probably include some kind of tutorial. I'm technically savvy, fortunately, so I've been bumbling my way through it. Easiest thing is to just start out with the preset amps for the time being if you're just learning. This really is a cool amp. I have a thousand dollar half stack (yeah it's a cheap HDFX one haha) and I can't get anything to sound as good on it as this spark amp.
Dude that break down at the end of the intro vid is killer!!!
I've gotta say this is making me want to buy it just to get back into regular practice and playing. Miss playing so much, it pisses me off some days. Those of you who actually have one, let me know how good you find it as a learning tool, please? Thanks in advance and God Bless You All!
Thanks Steve. Great review. Just ordered amp after watching your vid.
I think the app is the selling point for this amp. It looks really nice and lots of cool features. It'd be a lot easier to slap the ipad on a music stand than hunch over a little practice amp.
I do wish one thing more from the AWSOME unit. When you lay down a little grove, that you played, once analyzed, that what you played as a rhythm track would play through the unit along with the new bass & drums.
Man, your Ibanez collection makes me drool! That Jem is a thing of beauty especially with the work on the headstock.
picked this up used on Reverb, I use it as a couch amp,, it’s a good little practice amp for the money
Great demo and playing.
On the fence during shut down.
New offer. I went for it. Says Shipped.
Should be fun.
Just ordered one today. Has a lot of cool features .My neighbors will like the headphones jack .
Just ordered mine. Thanks for sharing! Wondering when going into your DAW you can record in only the drum track it created. I already have a mustang iv modeling Amp and understand this is a practice Amp but would love for it to create beats that I can upload to my pc and into my DAW to use just the drum track from the free jam option.
Got one for Christmas. Setup and operation are easier than I anticipated, really liking it so far.
I got my Spark October 19th having ordered it on the 14th. I'm surprised how the speaker sounds. Loud, but also sounds like the sound is all around you the way it reverberates around any room I've tried it in. It's also REALLY loud... unless you wanna play this with someone playing drums like, you're good. You won't need any more volume short of that.
It’s not for a band. It’s a guitar practice amp. If you want band loud, mic it up.
Thanks Steve :-) I went ahead and pre-ordered one after watching your video. What an impressive little amp. I am sure I will get a lot of positive progress on my playing using all the included features.
Patiently awaiting for mine to arrive. It sounds good.
Good on ya for being patient. I ordered mine back in October/November, and my patience is wearing thin...
Did you guys get yours yet?
That opening song was pure fire🫶🏽🤗
i'm just a beginner would the Spark be good as a first amp, thanks for you video it was great
Excellent beginner amp.
I ordered mine yesterday and it is coming tomorrow can't wait!
Thanks for the insight, Steve. I am a newbie to guitar and decided to buy a spark amp for my very first amp, and WOW, my head is spinning. I am amazed at how many tones and creations I can try to figure out while I am learning. My advice to all the newbies like me out there, give it a good hard go and don't be put off by the tech side of this little beast, it will actually give you more incentive to want to learn and play more.
Nice Shaune! , is it overwhelming with all the thousands of tones though? I’m a newbie myself.
after about 6 months give us a update please.from the reviews from other you tube channels they love it.
Thanks Steve, definitely trust and value your opinion. After watching your review, think I'll order one today.
Quick question... do you think it could be used with a Roland GR33 synth??
Nice one and thanks for the video. Would you say the best operating tool is a tablet? iphone probably a bit too small and computer a bit too big? Very tempted ...as long as I don't need a pilot's licence!
Great video, can you honestly tell us if the amp /app will have any subscription costs for any of the features? Thanks
Well, there is NOT at this point, I don’t know their plans in the future, but I know the tonecloud is available to everyone, but I could see them creating purchasable updates sometime in the future, like more effects, or more amps, speakers, etc, but that’s just my speculation of what their model has been before
Thanks for the reply, again great video. . I am big fan of your teaching style
Been taking my time on buying one of these. Watching a lot of vids on it. But I think you just convinced me to get one. Great comprehensive video.
Anyone who has "let the day begin" by the call on their playlist, is TOPS in my book
Hey folks! Looks like there in stock and shipping now!! I ordered a week ago and came today!! Love this little guy!!!
I placed my order oct 14, got it oct 19... I'd say they fixed their supply and demand problems. Know a few people who also got them super fast. Love this thing.
please let me know what kind of guitar you are playing. I really like it!! The one in the beginning of the video. Thanks. :)
If I start to play the chords to (for example) All my Loving by the Beatles are you saying this amp will add the correct bass line over the chords and the right drum rhythm to the rhythm I am strumming on the guitar. Is that correct? Because that would make this amp incredible. I would love to hear a demonstration of that please?
John Berry No mate it won’t respond to real released music, it just supposedly gets a feel for what you want and plays something appropriate alongside it
John Berry Tom Linton is correct, it won’t generate the original rhythm section of studio recordings, but it will generate a bass line that follows the root notes of the chords you play, and a drum track to go with it. That’s basically what the Digitech Trio pedal does for $350+! What the Trio won’t do, however, is “listen” to All My Lovin’ and show you the chords being played in the recording. The day a device can do what you’re asking isn’t quite here yet, but I won’t be surprised when it arrives someday.
Smart Jam listens to I think 8 bars of YOU playing guitar. Then it stops listening. It auto generates a band to go with what you played for a few seconds. THEN you can jam to that. HOWEVER... There's NO WAY to save those cool jams it automatically creates, for future listening to... this is a big complaint I have. You get a unique smart jam every time, with no way to save one you like to jam to later again. That's a huge flaw in my opinion. But still, I paid $318 canadian dollars, got the thing delivered in 5 days to middle of nowhere Nova Scotia... so I'm VERY happy with it so far. It could use some more features, like more freedom to use youtube. Seems there's only a curated Top Picks selection of videos, which sucks. Hoping I'm missing something but it doesn't look like I am.
my friend just bought one and loves it,,,,i love the sound...i'm buying one real soon
Great vid. How do you save a jam track you’ve created yourself?
Thanks Steve, I have my amp a few days and that has been really helpful in getting me up and running with the basics.
Well explained. I understand what the amp can do now. Other demos always seem to rush through the amp's and the app's features.
Thank you for doing this video Steve I really appreciate it. I've had this Spark unit brand new in the box since Christmas waiting for the right time to crack into it which I'm finally getting ready to do so to get this primer on it was really seriously valuable 🤙🏼
Steve are you still using you spark? And what’s your thoughts now? Thank you
Hey! It's great for practicing. Use it sometimes. Thanks for commenting.
Ordered mine yesterday and your video was the reason👍!
Thanks for your helpful review. Do know if it can be used in a live situation (say a small gig of about 50 people)? In which case, better to mic it or used headphones out into mixer /PA?
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
This is best demonstration I’ve seen yet. I want one. They should cut you a check for sales.
I've saved some settings but where are they saved to..might be a stupid question. Great video as always my friend ty I ordered at the beginning waited months but when I got it I knew I had something special I'm not a techie so I am struggling with it all and I am sure watching you and Darren Braun etc ill learn that way..ha ha
Great DEMO! I am to receive mine next month. looking forward to it.
Excellent!! Mine was delivered today . This is a very helpful tutorial . Thanks
The cool thing is that the app is free and fully functional for all the jam track stuff - excellent!
Really helpful and well done. You are a great teacher and creator. Thank you for doing this and for all your other tutorials!
Love to know when this will be available in the UK. Great demonstration btw. Big thanks! I want it!
They have no plans to distribute the Spark amp through retailers !! I suspect that the amps are made for about £45 a piece and they hope to keep all the profits for them selves with no margin for retail which they haven't removed but will keep for themselves. They aren't even going to distribute through the likes of Thomann or Amazon - Mainly because they can't deliver !!
A demonstrator at Dawsons Music UK has done a demo on the Spark . Why? they won't be getting any- Ask them !!
I'm in the UK and I have one on pre-order, expected end of Feb. International shipping is included in the price.
My pre order is due end of March.
@@duncbt do you know if its universal voltage?
@@duncbt I also pre-ordered and expect end of Feb, according to Positive Grid site updates. I'm in CANADA. Worldwide shipping included into cost. I'm getting excited!
Thank you Steve for showing me how the amp works I've been thinking about getting two of them but wasn't sold on it but you help me decide so Monday my Christmas shopping well be done. And Merry Christmas to you and your family. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ send many blessings to you and your family brother Amen.
Steve, I always enjoy your vids. Thanks. I've been learning so much from you. You keep things simple.
Hi, Nice tutorial. I'm just new with Positive Grid. I got Bias FX Pro on my macbook and it sound great. I also hooked up the midi commander by usb and it control Bias FX perfectly. I wonder if I can do the same thing with Spark and my Midi commander. Best.
Thanks Steve Your tutorial is very helpful....
Sounds amazing - even better than expected. Worth double the price imo. Expect a wait - don't get it if you need something NOW. I ordered early Dec and received it late May. Well worth the wait, but I didn't need it right away, so...
Shame that your review didn't come up on my search first! Watched 5 others that said it jams along with you but didn't actually show the feature. Should have known better and just gone straight to Steve Stine! Great in depth review, thank you
Very cool stuff, love watching your videos, you make me wanna keep on really playing the electric guitar, Cool!! 👍😁
Steve has mad skills,hell he could get a Line6 Spider lV sound good.
I just got mine today. A long wait,since it is now 4/24/20 and I pre-ordered it in 11/2019. But the whole China shutdown thing was to blame.I have not downloaded the manual yet, so I'm watching RUclips viDs to help me learn this thing. BUT, it sounds great,and I'm so excited. The only thing is, I'm a bass player and it seems that the backing jam tracks already have bass in it. I am wondering if there are options for me.
Hey Steve,
First off I’m a huge fan and I enjoy your lessons, especially your blues orientated ones! Anyway, I finally received my Spark Amp after 6 months lol.
My question is about using the looping system which I believe is part of the Bias FX app ( correct me if I’m wrong ) - have you used this function and if so have you made any videos pertaining to that aspect? I think this would be invaluable for practicing and learning especially working along with some of your lessons as well.
If you have any tips / guidance on that realm it would be appreciated and thanks in advance!
PS - I realize by now it’s not so ‘new’ and this video is getting dated but I hope this message finds you 🤙
Thanks Steve mine should be here soon. I would have never figured this out without your videos. Thanks again.
You are welcome 🙏
This Amp may be what I need to practice.
Yea they seem to be shipping fast now. My cousin waited 6 months I got min in 8 days. I think it is a cool amp so far but backing tracks are not playing through the amp only the iPad. I'm waiting to hear back from PG.
I ordered mine on April 18th and received on July 23.... looking forward to checking it out!
Looks like a great bit of kit! I have the Yamaha THR10 at the moment and while it's amazing, this looks like more of what I would want from a small form factor amp.
My main problem is why is the amp not in the shops ? Could it be that they can't deliver within normal retail time scales !!
Great video Steve. I noticed that 2 amps you have in your "stock" settings are:
05 Blues John Mayer ish
05 Pop Eric Jognson Clean Sound
Are these you've added from SoundCloud or are they your own configuration you've saved in your folders?
Also with quick jam (compose your own backtrack) can that track be saved for later use in the app?
Steve, thanks for the review. Does it have a looper function when you played chords and it came up with a beat and bass track? So then you could add chords over it then solo?
I did NOT see that as a feature, the only capability of looping is sections of the actual track you are listening to, NOT your actual guitar parts, if that makes sense.
That does make sense. Thank you!
When you play into it and get your drum/bass backing track can you then lay down the chords so you can jam a lead to the entire track? I guess simply put, does it have a looper?
I'm pretty sure it comes with a bunch of drum beats to play to based on what genre you select through the app.
tuneman59
No, no looper😔
This was an excellent video but I am still a little confused. I have ordered this Spark Amp but doesn’t look like it will arrive for another couple of months. I therefore yesterday ordered a Boss RC-30 ( It will arrive next week) to use with my current practice amp. Will this looper work and give me more options ? Or is it a waste of money ? In which case I will just return it when it arrives. Any help GREATLY appreciated.
@@Propertyrenter99 I ordered 2 weeks ago and it shipped today
Just buy a Boss RC-10r looper. It will do the same things and the drums sound better!