What don't you like about the spark?

[Lhdr]

After 18 months out, just wondering if this product still hits your buttons and meets the hype. My wife needs to spend $300 on me for Christmas. Do you like the sound quality? Ease of use? I’m not a buttons, menu and App kind of guy.

I already have a Vox Adio air GT (think Yamaha TRX stuff) and like it’s simplicity for streaming backing tracks and learning.

Thanks.

 

[cybermgk]

What I wish were different:
I wish that I could change the default amp assigned to the amp type knob. All it does is change what amp model is used on whatever preset (or settings on amp) is used. But, they ar preset as to which for clean, glassy etc.
AND/OR
I'd like to be able to save more presets to the amp itself.

What I like, that happened after I bought
Firmware upgrades
Added some new amp models.and FX for free

What I'm Meh on
They also offered for an additional charge, albeit not much, a package of new amp models, effects and presets.

Still sounds great, and is a fantastic practice amp, and a nice bluetooth speaker for playing guitar.

The fact that you say "’I'm not a buttons, menu and App kind of guy " could mesn maybe not the best choice for you. I think, without the App, you lose a lot of functionality, versatility and use of the amp. At a minimum, imho, you need to at a minimum use it to load and adjust to liking the 4 presets, you can select from the amp controls. But, you still lose quite a bit that makes the whole package what it is.

 

[Lhdr]

Wow thanks. Only 4 presets? Are there presets in the app if I connect to it or pre programmed tones I can access and bluetooth?

 

[cybermgk]

Wow thanks. Only 4 presets? Are there presets in the app if I connect to it or pre programmed tones I can access and bluetooth?

Yeah, thats why I said, without the amp, you limit the amp. App has a bunch of oresets, and access to their tine cloud with 100s. With the app on, you can switch acive oreset to any you have loaded in the app, or from the tone cloud, as fast as hitting a button. Also where you can tweek a preset, changing fx pedals, their settings, what is on or off etc, 40 some amp models now, etc..

Pus the app has all the other stuff, the backing tracks, auto chords, smart jam etc.

 

[Sunburst Blues]

I just got a Spark delivered a few days ago and I'm enjoying it so far. I've been on vacation and I'm a night shifter, so when my wife and son are sleeping, I can still play guitar and get some great tones without having to worry about waking them up. If I play during the day I still prefer my tube amps, but so far I'm liking the spark.

I definitely need to delve into the app more, I'm still a little confused on how everything works but I'm sure if I spend a little time with it then it'll make sense.

 

[tzd]

I've read a lot of reviews that say the Spark is too bassy and it cannot be dialed out. Is that true?

 

[CB91710]

Wow thanks. Only 4 presets? Are there presets in the app if I connect to it or pre programmed tones I can access and bluetooth?

Oh ya... the 4 presets are just the 4 "easy access" settings that you can program onto the buttons.
There are probably thousands (ok, hundreds) of models both built in and uploaded by other owners. Any of those can overwrite original settings, and be assigned to one of the 4 buttons, so you can ditch the "clean" and "metal" presets and configure 4 different levels of mild to heavy crunch.

It is bassy, due to it being designed to double as a bluetooth speaker, so it runs full range speakers with a ported enclosure.

I would imagine by blocking the port, you could tone it down, but you CAN pull the bass levels down in the settings.

 

[WillyW]

I’m not big on apps either. And I’m not all fiddly chasing amp tones. I’m fine with Fender or Marshall tones.

I have had mine a few months, and I keep it on my nightstand.

I do like that I can just bluetooth YouTube backing tracks from my phone or iPad without going through the app.

the pedal selection allows you to only select one from each type, you can’t stack drives, or have a drive and fuzz or have a phaser and chorus


Through the app those same YouTube tracks can be saved and it analyses them for chord progressions and such.

I don’t have a desktop or laptop computer so I’m unable to update the amp itself, but was able to update the app on my phone and iPad.

the jam thing is very disappointing for bass geetar, (it only works for treble geetar)


honestly if my Marshall DSL-1 had Bluetooth AND fit on the nightstand better I probably wouldn’t have a whole lot of use for the Spark.


That said I do use it quite often, but I don’t use it to its full potential.

 

[Lhdr]

Are the backing tracks any better than what I can get on You tube?

Are the auto chords and jam tracks just a gimmick designed for beginners?

So basically it‘s simulation software like Amplitube, but it’s accessed through a compact Bluetooth speaker design correct?

 

[Deftone]

I barely touch mine. I'm not big on messing with apps and I had to buy an updated tablet to work with it.

Decent blue tooth speaker though and works great for jamming along with CD's or MP3's.

I also did not like that I was asked for permission to video me in order to use the drum feature. The drum feature was a key selling point for me so not being able to use it is a huge turn off.

Knowing what I know now I wouldn't buy one.

 

[simon connor]

I love mine. I only use it to practice playing lead, so the fact that it has backing tracks is simply spectacular. I also only use it with headphones when everyone is asleep. Maybe my needs are very specific, but to me it seems kind of science fiction-level futuristic and awesome. I don’t think I would use it as a stage amp - the speakers are tiny! Also, for $250 it seems like a really good deal.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

I love my Spark as well.
You really do have to use your phone or a tablet to get the max use out of it.
But it is very intuitive.

The one thing about the build that I don't like is the Music Volume pot.
It's small and feels week. I think this will be the first thing to go on this amp.

 

[CB91710]

I love my Spark as well.
You really do have to use your phone or a tablet to get the max use out of it.
But it is very intuitive.

The one thing about the build that I don't like is the Music Volume pot.
It's small and feels week. I think this will be the first thing to go on this amp.

Apparently, the push-on style Marshall knobs will fit that pot, and still leave room for the headphone.
Add a felt washer under the knob for support and it should protect the pot.

 

[hbucker]

Are the backing tracks any better than what I can get on You tube?

Are the auto chords and jam tracks just a gimmick designed for beginners?

So basically it‘s simulation software like Amplitube, but it’s accessed through a compact Bluetooth speaker design correct?

I've never worked with a Spark. But our bass player uses a spark to learn new songs. It isn't unusual for him to show up at rehearsal having learned the new song in the wrong key.

This is why I learn the songs from the actual song. - Maybe go to Youtube sometimes if I'm not quite sure how they play a part.

 

[CB91710]

I've never worked with a Spark. But our bass player uses a spark to learn new songs. It isn't unusual for him to show up at rehearsal having learned the new song in the wrong key.

This is why I learn the songs from the actual song. - Maybe go to Youtube sometimes if I'm not quite sure how they play a part.

If he's learning them in the wrong key, it's not because of the Spark.
Spark can feed tracks from Youtube, Spotify, or your local MP3 files on your phone/tablet.