It’s not that important as you can adjust these settings on the digital amp and pedals within the app. However, it does make the Go less useful if you don’t plan on connecting through the app every time.Remember, you can always save your four favourite tones to the amp so you don’t need the app at all.

This is the first Spark amp that can be positioned in two distinctly different ways for varying responsePersonally, I’d buy the Spark Go over the Mini for that added portability, and the ability to play with the amp on your person (more or less) wirelessly. You lose sound quality with the smaller speaker, but I think it’s worth it to not notice carrying an amp with you. The Spark Go is around the size (125 x 85 x 45 mm) of a Coke can and at 346g, weighs about the same too. As guitar amplifiers go, it’s tiny and can even fit into your pedal board. Much smaller than the Spark Mini and a fraction of the size of the Spark 40, which itself is renowned for its compact size. Despite the small size, it doesn't skimp on any features, sharing the exact same amount of hardware presets, practice tools, and Bluetooth connectivity as its bigger sibling the Spark Mini."— Guitar World Positive Grid says that the battery is good for eight hours of use on a full charge, and while it might not have quite got there on our tests, it was more than enough to enable many hours of playing, listening to music and recording.

Just like the middle child, the Spark Mini, the new Spark Go amp does all of that, but without the need to tether to the mains. It has a rechargeable battery, making your amplified guitar playing truly portable. In this case, even clipped to your person. If you encounter any issue or error message that prevents you from completing the update process, make sure to try again after shutting down Spark GO.

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In addition to the same array of models as the other Spark amps, all of the Positive Grid Spark app features are accessible with the GO; it's processed via your smartphone so that's no surprise. But I'm especially pleased to see four presets that can be saved to the hardware itself – just like on the Spark Mini. The presence of three Spark Amp models now leaves people with a big decision. All three bring something to the table. While the rechargeable internal battery of the Spark Mini freed players up to choose where they wanted and needed to play, the GO takes that idea further. Because it's so small and ruggedly built with its grippy rubber casing, it's easy to take with you in a gigbag but it also affected how we used it in the house compared to the Mini and Spark 40. Let us introduce the concept of… the leg amp!

This is the first Spark amp that can be positioned in two distinctly different ways for varying response – upright as you'd expect but also flat on its rear passive radiator speaker. We found the two options are suited to getting the best out of different kinds of tones. The temptation with the GO is to ask, ‘Well how small is next year’s model going to be?!’ and maybe Positive Grid will surprise us again down the line with something even more compact and remarkable. But that shouldn’t detract from what a remarkable achievement the Spark GO is – a truly go-anywhere amp for electric guitarists that feels as rugged and durable as any bluetooth speaker, with a sound fit for an amp 10 times its size. For the price, if you don’t already have one of these in your gigbag, what are you waiting for? Key Features However, the amplifier used (think Marshall, Orange, etc.), the settings on the amp, and the effects pedals (delay, distortion, reverb, etc.) used are the other key factors, and that’s what the Spark app’s tones attempt to replicate. If, like me, you don’t have the time, finances, or expertise to finely tune a guitar sound via the amp or a big grand pedal board, this is where the Spark range truly comes into its own.

The hallmark of the original Spark 40 amp was its size-defying sound. It’s easy to forget looking at its baby brother that the Spark 40 – a reference to the 40W speaker – was the OG little amp that could. For a practice amp, it has no right sounding as refined as it does at high and low volumes. It was even loud enough for some light gigging or an open mic without losing fidelity. I loved it and have it five stars. But if you do you gain a lot; not just the ability to tweak your amp and pedal models, but headline practice and learning features with Smart Jam and Auto Chords to dip into whenever you want. There's a lot going on with this little amp. Specifications Make sure Spark GO remains disconnected from all other devices through Bluetooth before proceeding. I found it helped me with my timing a lot. When you’re noodling away on your own, it can get a bit all over the place. This kept me disciplined and in rhythm with the drummer. The Spark Go does a decent job of maintaining consistent design language with the replaceable speaker plate matching the other two models. Positive Grid also gives you an alternate option in the box.

There are 33 amp models available based on classic manufacturers and a total of 43 effects. The community has used these bases to create thousands of unique tones you can also add your own spin to. A: In your device's Bluetooth settings, forget the previous connection of Spark GO and then reconnect. After updating the firmware, if you have previously connected your phone/tablet to Spark GO, please ensure that you access your device's Bluetooth settings, forget the previous connection with Spark GO Audio, and then proceed to pair it again. Fast-forward a couple of years and the Mini – a Spark that was effectively a third of the size of the original, battery-powered and portable, yet still sporting all of the functionality and great sound of the original – redefined what we believed that a portable practice amp was capable of, so what of 2023’s new darling, the GO?

About Positive Grid SPARK

The mobile experience has always been intrinsic to the Spark amps, transforming the products from standard (albeit over-performing) practice amps to a limitless world of tones and functionality that’ll have a stab at replicating any guitar sound. From your guitar heroes, to a completely custom sound that works with what you’re playing. However, established knowledge suggests that an 5W amp with a 2-inch speaker isn’t going to produce sound worthy of your guitar playing expertise. It goes without saying there will be trade-offs, but can the Spark Go hit the sweet spot between ultimate portability, functionality, and good-enough quality sound?