We’ve all come to terms with the concept of mini amps that punch well above their weight, but Blackstar’s BEAM Mini – first debuted at NAMM – has officially launched and looks set to seriously up the ante, offering a mini amp/modeler with Tone3000 NAM capture support and AI stem separation.

What does all the jargon mean? Well, NAM stands for Neural Amp Model, which essentially means users will have access to a library of over 200,000 amp/rig captures available from Tone3000’s massive open source library.

This is in addition to Blackstar’s own “component-level” modeling tech, which incorporates six models of core Blackstar amps, plus the firm’s Ampton line, which includes benchmark digital models of amps like the Vox AC30, Marshall JCM800, Fender 1969 Twin Reverb, Mesa/Boogie Dual Recitifier and Peavey 5150.

All of which means that when it comes to the BEAM Mini’s tonal range, the options are pretty much endless.

Meanwhile, Moises AI stem separation enables players to isolate or remove instruments from tracks on playback (similar to JBL’s BandBox), so you can isolate guitars to learn parts and then play along to the track with the original parts removed.

A significant caveat is that this is not available at launch, but will be coming in an August software update.

Then you’ve got the other mini amp staples: Bluetooth streaming, battery power (up to 18 hours), app support, 35 studio grade effects, headphone output, audio interface capabilities, user patch library (in addition to the NAM capabilities), IR CabRig speaker/mic emulation and IP66 weatherproofing. You can even record vocals via the headset mic hook-up.

Despite the app editing capabilities, there’s still a surprising amount of control available on the unit itself, with Patch, Gain, EQ, FX and Volume buttons, plus the oversized SpeedDial (perhaps inspired by the hefty wheel on the Positive Grid Spark GO), which is multifunctional.

The diminutive cabinet itself is also worth mentioning, featuring two 60mm full-range drivers, two passive bass radiators and Blackstar’s Super Wide Stereo tech to “create an immersive, room-filling tone you won’t believe is coming from something this small.”

This all obviously sounds like marketing hyperbole, but is genuinely impressive in action. Everyone from the GW team who got their hands and ears on one of these at NAMM and Guitar Summit was seriously impressed by its sonic capabilities.

All in all, it’s the first time we’ve seen a tiny mini amp from a trusted amp builder that combines this level of cutting-edge tech into such an impressive-sounding unit. Indeed, the early word from our reviewer Pete Emery is that “it's easily the best mini-amp on the market right now”.

Positive Grid has long stolen a march on the more traditional builders, but if the BEAM delivers on its promises it looks like the Spark GO is about to get some serious competition.

At $229, it’s priced right between Positive Grid’s Spark Mini and GO platforms, too.

UPDATE 05/06/26: You can now read our full Blackstar BEAM Mini review.

For more information, head to Blackstar.

What is it?

The latest in a seemingly endless supply of mini amps, the new Laney Prism-Mini represents yet another option for guitar players who want big tones in a small package. There are a lot of players in this space right now, with amps such as the Boss Katana-Mini X, Positive Grid Spark Go, JBL BandBox Solo, and Blackstar Fly 3 all competing for shelf space in the home of guitar players.

This isn’t the first time Birmingham-based amp maker has forayed into tiny practice amps either, with the Prism being preceded by the Laney Mini-Lion, Lionheart Stereo, and the Supergroup Mini. This is the first time Laney has gone fully wireless and digital; however, the previous offerings required you to physically connect your phone to the amp to use additional software.

It boasts one hundred presets, dual 1.5” speakers outputting 3 watts each in true stereo, and the ability to run 6 different effects at once. Bluetooth connectivity allows for connection to the Tone-Wizard companion app for deeper editing, as well as allowing you to stream music from your phone. The app also features a drum machine, a built-in guitar tuner, and, of course, the Prism-Mini is equipped with a headphone output for silent practice.

Specs

• Launch price: $149 | £99 | €125
• Type: Desktop digital practice amp
• Origin: China
• Output: Six watts RMS
• Speaker: 2 x 1.5”
• Features: Digital amp and cab modeling, 50 user and 50 factory presets, multi effects, nine-block signal chain, Tone-Wizard app
• Connectivity: 1/4” input, 1/8” headphone output, USB-C, and Bluetooth connectivity
• Weight: 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs)
• Dimensions: 170 x 113 x 80mm (6.6 x 4.4 x 3.1”)
• Contact: Laney

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★½

Housed in a very handsome navy blue enclosure (a black version is also available), the Prism-Mini is definitely one of the better-looking mini amps I’ve tested. The front grille features an interlocking pattern of navy and mustard yellow that features on the Laney Lionheart. White piping rounds off a very nice-looking amp, and a welcome change from the typical black I see in this category of amp.

The Prism-Mini does away with most of the physical controls you’d typically see on a guitar amp, like gain/volume and EQ knobs, and instead opts for a purely digital experience. There’s a Volume knob, plus an endless encoder for navigating the menus and changing parameters. A dedicated ‘Back’ button allows for navigation back through the menus, and pressing the encoder and Back button together unlocks the built-in tuner.

On the other side of the screen is a global Settings button and a Bluetooth connectivity button with the usual 1/4-inch input. It’s very sparse, and this theme is continued on the back panel, which features a single USB-C port for charging and a 1/8-inch headphone output. The overall feel is really nice; it’s plasticky, but with that, not too heavy, and small enough to chuck into a backpack, while feeling rugged enough not to feel bad about doing so.

Usability

Usability rating: ★★★★½

Beginning by plugging my straight-to-straight guitar cable into the amp, the other end going into a Fender Cabronita Telecaster equipped with two TV Jones humbuckers, I quickly realize that the weight of the Mogami cable I’m using is too much for the Prism-Mini. The result is the amp falling forward whenever there’s a slight pull on the cable. Swapping it out for a right-angle cable makes it much more stable and usable.

Turning the amp on and diving straight into some sounds, I start sans-app, choosing to navigate the tones via the physical controls. It’s pretty simple to navigate, even with just the single encoder. Turning the knob initially cycles through the presets, with a single press getting you deeper into the signal chain. From then on, you can dive into each individual amp or effect block and tweak at will.

There are seventeen amp models to choose from, which is a nice choice, and obviously, the focus is on Laney’s own amps with the Lionheart, Ironheart, Digbeth, and Cub featuring. You get seven effect blocks, two of which are Volume and EQ, with Preamp, Drive, Modulation, Delay, and Reverb making up the latter. The Drive, EQ, and Volume blocks are fixed alongside the Amp and Cab blocks, but the others can be moved pre or post, which opens up some options for sound exploration.

The screen is big and bright enough to be easily seen, and combined with the encoder and Back button, I’m surprised at how easy it is to navigate everything. I do find myself having to tilt the amp towards me and use two hands to do this while sitting, which does occasionally lead to some miss-presses of the encoder knob. If you’re the sort that doesn’t want to use an app, however, it’s nice that all of the functionality is accessible from the amp itself.

Moving on to the app, I download the somewhat amusingly named ‘Tone-Wizard’ app to my Google Pixel smartphone without any serious issues. Pressing the Bluetooth button has it paired instantly with my phone, and I can access a different way to amend the tone settings. It’s pretty simple looking, but I don’t mind that. Weirdly, it does ask for access to my photos and videos, and for access to my location, which seems unnecessary for a guitar amp.

The drag and drop of blocks works slickly, as does touching each block in order to access the deeper settings with sliders. Handily, when you press and hold on settings like the delay time, you can type in your exact ms amount if you want to dial in playing to a click or a particular song a bit quicker. Fine control over other settings is pretty good, though, and I can find that I can move things around incrementally when I need to.

Switching to the built-in drum machine requires you to separately pair your phone's Bluetooth Audio in order for the sounds to be played through the amp. Thankfully, this works immediately, and I can start playing a selection of seven different genres with ease. Each of the overall genres features varying styles, and while the sounds aren’t anything special, they’ll do just fine if you’re looking to hone your rhythm chops.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★½

Beginning by cycling through the presets, I find some really great sounds straight off the bat. From spanky clean funk tones through to full-on metalcore, the Prism-Mini is a capable little amp indeed, and it doesn’t suffer from the boxiness that often plagues these smaller amps. The mid-gain stuff handled very well, and it responds nicely to picking dynamics as well as rolling-off the volume knob of the guitar. There are enough different amp sounds that the vast majority of playing styles are well accounted for here.

The dual speakers definitely help with the sense of space offered by the reverb and delay tones here, and there’s some really nice ambient stuff with endless reverbs and long delay tails that sound absolutely huge considering the size of the amp. The quality of the effects is, overall, really fantastic, and the flexibility with tweaking, while not as in-depth as some, still gives you plenty of room to maneuver.

Moving to a preset called ‘Funk’, I do find a weakness. The auto-wah triggers a very worrying crackling sound as the speakers struggle to handle a particularly resonant frequency. I head to the EQ section and am able to dial it out by eliminating 400 Hz, but this is definitely something Laney should look into fixing, as I find myself encountering it on other presets when playing certain chords. It could be a result of software or the speaker design, or that I might have a pre-release model, but either way, it’s not ideal.

Cranking the volume, it doesn’t get to deafening levels, obviously, but it can get loud enough to annoy my partner, which is good enough for home use. At higher volumes, the lack of low-end does become more noticeable, but that’s a natural limitation of such a small speaker design, and it’s not a deal breaker when this amp’s primary use case is for jamming at home. That said, the lack of a passive radiator means that other amps like the similarly priced Positive Grid Spark Go sound a bit fuller at higher volumes.

Verdict

There are a couple of niggles, but overall I'm impressed with the capabilities of the Laney Prism-Mini. Despite being initially dubious at the lack of physical controls, the combination of screen and endless encoder makes for a surprisingly usable experience. As someone who is getting pretty tired of having to use companion apps in order to control gear, the immediacy of this amp is a welcome reprieve.

It’s not perfect, though, with that issue of certain resonant frequencies causing speaker distortion being a biggie that needs sorting. It’s also lacking a little in the low end compared to others in the marketplace due to its design, although this is only noticeable when you start cranking the volume.

Guitar World verdict: Overall, the ease of use makes the Laney Prism-Mini a really fun practice companion. The fact that it doesn’t rely on a companion app is a good one in my book, making it easier to put down the distracting smartphone and focus on actually playing. If Laney could fix the issue with the resonant frequencies my review model has, this would be a really brilliant addition to any guitar player’s practice regimen.

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Hands-on videos

Thiago Zalinsky

Blackstar is looking to take control of the desktop amp market with the potentially game-changing Beam Mini – the world’s first amplifier that natively supports Neural Amp Modeling (NAM).

This is achieved through direct integration with Tone3000, which boasts the world's largest community of user-generated guitar tones. The platform is built on open-source NAM tech, which is injected right into the veins of the Beam Mini.

Essentially, NAM uses AI to capture and emulate the tone of tube amps and beyond, turning tangible gear into digital recreations, meaning many of the tones available via Tone3000 are captured from high-end amps and sought-after sounds. What's more, these are completely free.

That makes this tiny little desktop amp far more powerful than its pint-sized form suggests. Compatible with electric and acoustic guitars and bass, it promises “high-quality tone, portability and intuitive control” abound.

At its core are two 60mm full-range drivers and two passive bass radiators, which combine with Blackstar's Super Wide Stereo and Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) features, with onboard controls for Patch, Gain, EQ, FX, and Volume.

It is free of convoluted menus, with quick-fire tweaks done via its SpeedDial feature, which puts one dialable knob atop the amp, with buttons for the aforementioned controls determining what that dial tweaks. The FX button can control multiple effects on the fly.

Hook up to the partner Beam app (iOS and Android) for deeper tone shaping. The amp offers access to over 35 tock effects, cabs, and cab and mic simulations – including six Blackstar designs and six Ampton recreations of iconic amplifiers – as well as a tuner, metronome, and “pro-level tone tools.”

The realism of the amps is further bolstered by Blackstar’s impulse response feature, CabRig. Use it “to recreate the immediacy and feel of a real amplifier in the room.”

But it's the NAM integration that is especially intriguing here, with a VIP pass to Tone3000's dizzyingly massive collection of tones adding a much greater scope to this tiny powerhouse. And whatever tones you get from the amp should respond like a tube amp.

Each model has been “meticulously voiced” by Blackstar’s UK-based engineering team to ensure its “authentic tone and responsiveness” walks the walk.

There are artist-generated patches to pick from, too, with Blackstar artist Jared James Nichols one of the big selling points here. And to ensure it can withstand the outdoors just as well as studios and bedrooms, it offers an IP66 dust-tight and weatherproof design, and over 18 hours of playtime on a single charge.

“Designed as a complete, compact desktop solution for practice, songwriting, recording, or casual play, the Beam Mini is intended to deliver uncompromising tone wherever inspiration strikes,” says Blackstar.

It arrives with an asking price of $229.99.

Visit Blackstar for more info.

Blackstar has been on fine form this year already. It has ventured into the amp modeler floorboard world with the affordable ID:X Floor series, and released two high-quality FRFR speakers to accompany them.

NAMM 2026: Roland has introduced its latest battery-powered PA solution, with “class-leading tools” designed for gigging musicians and street performers alike.

Thanks in part to Ed Sheeran’s meteoric rise from busker to stadium filler – and subsequently launching his own street performer PAs – there has been a fresh emphasis put on the portable PA market in recent years. Roland, with the Cube Street Mini, is maintaining that momentum.

Its dinky, easy-to-carry size and battery-powered draw – via an onboard rechargeable battery with a seven-hour playtime – effortless setup, and “intuitive” control panel are the headline features.

It's been designed to handle multiple instruments, with an onboard dial for a more dedicated tonality via modes for acoustic guitars, keyboards, electric guitars, and vocals.

There are also instrument controls for Volume, Tone, Reverb/Chorus/Delay, and separate Volume, Tone, and Reverb/Echo dials for microphones specifically – plugged in via XLR or TRS – allowing singer-songwriter types a more personalized mix.

A built-in tuner and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming backing tracks are also handy additions, as Roland looks to meet the needs of both solo and duo performers.

Those specs would mean very little if the amp itself didn’t sound good, which is why Roland has opted for wide projection via a high-headroom amp that leverages two tweeters and a five-inch speaker.

Understanding that not all buskers are lucky enough to call Miami Beach their stomping grounds, it's built with strong, water-resistant material for performing, come rain or shine.

The fact it can be mounted atop a mic stand is a handy bonus, while the rugged CB-MBC1 carry case, meanwhile, is an optional extra.

“With its convenient size and onboard battery power, the Cube Street Mini provides a great-sounding, all-in-one PA wherever users want to perform or practice,” says Roland.

“It builds on the trusted Cube Street legacy, delivering exceptional sound quality and features in an ultra-compact PA for cafés, small-scale events, and personal studios.”

The Roland Cube Street Mini costs $199.99.

Check out Roland for more.

What is it?

PRS has duly noted in their announcement of the new Archon Classic amplifier head that it is not a reissue of the original Archon amp, which PRS introduced 12 years ago in 2013.

Although the original Archon has undergone a few changes since then, it still remains pretty faithful to its original tonal characteristics, so a reissue simply isn’t needed.

The new PRS Archon Classic is actually a new amp circuit based on the Archon design but revoiced to offer “classic” tones based on the character of hot-rodded amps of the ’70s and ’80s.

Like the current PRS Archon 50 head, the Archon Classic is an all-tube 50-watt head featuring two fully independent channels. The Classic’s Clean channel is hotter than the Archon 50’s Clean channel.

Meanwhile, the gain of the Classic’s Lead channel is dialed back a bit and it has a different tonal personality than the Archon 50, which we’ll discuss in more detail. For players who lean more towards timeless, traditional tones over cutting-edge textures, the Archon Classic offers a compelling alternative.

My personal experience with guitar amps is that the more features, controls and switches put into the design, the more they take away from the guitar’s natural tone. The Archon Classic is about as simple as a two-channel amp can be while still providing useful tone-shaping capabilities and versatility.

The Clean and Lead channels each have their own independent sets of treble, middle and bass EQ controls, a Bright switch and volume and master volume controls. Global presence and depth controls are shared by both channels. Dialing in sounds is about as simple as it gets, with the controls doing exactly what you expect them to do.

While the Archon 50 can be ordered with either 6L6 or 6CA7 power tubes, the Archon Classic is only offered with a pair of JJ 6CA7 tubes. These “American” versions of the EL34 tube have similar tonal characteristics but don’t compress as easily as EL34 and provide slightly tighter bass and glassier treble.

Four of the Classic’s six ECC83S tubes are dedicated to the gain stages, while the fifth drives the effects loop and the sixth is a phase inverter.

The Classic comes with a single-switch footswitch controller for channel switching. The effects loop is a simple affair with mono ¼-inch send and return jacks – no level control.

Speaker jacks consist of a pair of parallel 4-ohm jacks (for connecting one 4-ohm or two 8-ohm cabs), a pair of parallel 8-ohm jack (for one 8-ohm or two 16-ohm cabs) and a single 16-ohm output. Bias jacks and a bias adjustment trim pot make it easy to bias the amp after changing tubes without removing the chassis.

Specs

• Launch price: $1,149
• Type: Tube amp head
• Channels: Two
• Controls: Volume, Bright Switch, Treble, Middle, Bass, Master Volume (per channel), global Presence and Depth
• Output: 50 watts
• Tubes: 2x JJ 6CA7 power tubes, 6x JJ ECC83S preamp tubes
• Connections: 2x 4 ohm parallel, 2x 8 ohm parallel, 1x 16 ohm, series footswitch, 1/4" mono footswitch input
• Dimensions: 546 mm x 254 mm x 254 mm
• Options: Archon 50 Head ($1,149), Archon 50 Combo ($1,349)
• Contact: PRS Guitars

Usability and sounds

Plugging into the Archon Classic amp, it’s easy to see why PRS decided to stick with the Classic name despite the potential for confusion. The Clean channel provides punchy, full-bodied clean tones with generous headroom, but the channel can also be pushed into overdrive with harmonically rich grit.

With the Clean channel’s master volume cranked up and the volume turned up from 0 to 5, the tone is crystal clear with a bold voice that is simply sublime – among the best clean tones I’ve ever heard from a multi-channel high-gain amp head.

The Lead channel’s gain is quite aggressive and goes into distortion territory pretty quickly when the volume control is increased. This channel has an attractive upper midrange emphasis that delivers singing, voice-like lead tones and chords that cut through a mix with precision and clarity.

At the volume control’s upper range the amp provides super-saturated tones that will please more modern-minded players, but the EQ’s range is not as aggressively voiced.

Having said that, the presence and depth controls are highly useful for shaping the upper mids/treble and low-end body, respectively, beyond the range of the traditional British amps that the Classic’s tonal signature is built upon.

These controls are particularly helpful for, say, making a Strat or Tele more full-bodied or dialing in more clarity and precision from a guitar with high-output humbuckers. The Archon Classic pairs well with a very wide variety of guitars, preserving their individual character while also refining the tone for assertive clean and aggressive distortion textures.

Verdict

Verdict: ★★★★½

Guitar World verdict: The PRS Archon Classic offers impressive value for guitarists seeking rich clean/overdrive tones and timeless distortion tones that range from classic crunch to hot-rodded high gain.

Hands-on videos

PRS Guitars

Riffs, Beards & Gear

The Neurotic Guitarist

• PRS Mark Tremonti MT 15 Head review
• This article first appeared in Guitar World. Subscribe and save.

Mooer is no stranger to product launches that look to drag traditional guitar gear into the modern era, and its F15i Intelligent Amp is certainly no exception.

Though a regular desktop amp in its proportions, the F15i works hard to differentiate itself from the likes of Yamaha, Positive Grid, Boss and Line 6 by leaning into what makes Mooer such an interesting brand: its modern-minded technology.

Namely, the F15i modeling amp reportedly “redefines portable guitar practice” thanks to a new iAmp system, which offers 55 pre-installed amp models that are in turn designed using the firm’s MNRS modeling tech.

These are bolstered by 69 effect types – reverb, delay, modulation among them – as well as Mooer’s Dynamic Spatial Enhancement function, which effectively looks to deliver a more expansive listening experience with a bit more depth.

Further tones can be explored and dialed in through the Mooer iAmp app, which lets players upload and download presets. To make it a more suitable practice companion, it also offers a drum machine with 60 grooves, 10 metronom variations and a 60-second looper.

What’s more, it comes loaded with a built-in tuner, supports Bluetooth streaming, offers USB-C OTG audio recording and has a headphone output jack in a bid to make it a true all-rounder.

However, a smorgasbord of sounds is a given for desktop amps these days, so what really makes the F15i stand out? Well, perhaps most notably of all, it has a 1.28” touchscreen on the face of the panel that makes curating these tones – and operating its wider functions – much easier.

Here, players can navigate tones, effects and presets, and when used in conjunction with Bluetooth streaming, can be used to control audio playback with the touch of a screen. Now that's something you don't see everyday in the amp market.

More appointments found on the F15i include a pair of 2” speakers, 15 watts of power and, just for good measure, a rechargeable lithium battery for on-the-go guitarists.

On paper, it seems like a very nifty desktop amp indeed – and early demos online have demonstrated its robust tonal abilities, too – with Mooer clearly intent on setting a new benchmark for pint-sized modeling amps, and at $190, it looks like it could be a serious option for players, especially those on a budget.

What’s more, this is clearly only the start, with Mooer debuting the F15i as its flagship launch from a new ‘Future Series’. As such, expect more amps, with potentially more features, to arrive further down the line.

It’s not the first time Mooer has attempted to shake-up the amp game, either. In 2023, it launched the SD30i as a direct competitor to the Positive Grid Spark.

To find out more head over to Mooer.

NAMM 2025: Vintage might be best known for bringing classic electric guitar designs to the budget end of the market, but now the British firm has extended its gear expertise into a new direction with the development of its Retro desktop amp range.

The 15- and 25-watt combo amps are the firm's first foray into the amp world and are designed to “deliver a range of tones”, with built-in “high-quality DSP” effects, Bluetooth connectivity, recording functions, and eight separate amp models with “presets based on some of the world’s most iconic guitar amps”.

Naturally, the higher-powered model boasts a broader range of features. This includes six effects – chorus, flanger, vibrato, delay, and two reverb flavors – 30 changeable drum sounds for lone jamming, and adjustable treble and boost cuts.

Conversely, the 15-watt model trims its effect count to six (losing its flanger and one reverb) with its drum feature, and treble and bass cut controls, also lost.

But they both offer a nice tonal variety via eight amp sims, with an array of “ultra-clean” and “saturated distortion” tones on the table.

Some of the amps simulated here (taking some assumptions based on the amp controls) could possibly be a Peavey 5150, a Vox AC, a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, and a Marshall Plexi of sorts.

Atop the 15-watt amp are dials for choosing the amp sim, as well as parameters for Gain, Tone, and Master Volume. There are also two dials dedicated to the effects. On the 25-watt model, there are four additional dials for the drum machine – including volume and tempo – and treble and bass controls.

Connectivity-wise, players can connect phones via Bluetooth and USB, while the latter option makes it possible to hook up to DAWs for home recording.

The Retro amps can also be paired with an external cabinet via jack cable, with Vintage offering a 1x10 cabinet as part of the flagship Retro amp series. There’s also a 3.5mm jack socket for headphones out.

With the rise of budget and portable modeling amps, from Positive Grid's Spark GO and the recently-released Spark Edge, to the Boss Katana-Mini X, Vintage is entering an extremely competitive market.

Such a growing choice, though, only benefits players, and with the fortunes of floor modelers continuing to rise in 2024, don’t expect their popularity to dwindle any time soon.

The Vintage Retro amps and cabs are available in Black, Vintage White, and Mint Green, and they're impressively affordable. The 15-watt model will set players back just £119 (approx. $145) rising to £149 (approx $180) for the 25-watt version. Cabinets come in at £89 (approx. $107) apiece.

Head to Vintage for more info.

You don’t need me to tell you that Fender amps are among the most coveted combos in the guitar world. They’re iconic in sound and look – but they don’t come cheap. Unless, of course, it’s Black Friday, and you don’t mind downsizing to a Mini Deluxe for the silly-low price of $29 at Amazon.

OK, so you’re not going to be plugging into this diminutive beauty at your next rehearsal, but its one-watt output, delivered via a 2” speaker, will give you enough volume for your bedroom/office/dorm.

Crucially, it looks the part. The chrome control panel, chickenhead knobs, dogbone handle… It’s all present and correct, topped off by a Texas Red finish and classic grille cloth.

Heck, even if you don’t intend to use the thing, this is a cute decorative piece to have around the house, and makes a great Christmas gift for any guitarist.

Of course, we would encourage you to plug in, and you should know that the Mini Deluxe is powered by a 9V battery – which is included – or a 9V power supply. There’s also a headphone output for silent practice, plus Tone, Volume and Gain controls, so you can get a bit of breakup going, too.

I reviewed the similarly spec’d Mini Twin Amp a few years back, and had a great time with it. The tones are fun, and the attention to detail is pretty remarkable for an amp this size. It can make a handy recording companion, too.

The Mini Deluxe isn’t going to sound as big as an actual Deluxe (which start at $949), but underestimate these mini amps at your peril: mic’d up, they can be just the thing to cut through the mix on your next track – just ask Juliana Hatfield.

This is one of the most irresistible deals we’ve seen this Black Friday, so we don’t expect this cute combo to hang around long – head over to Amazon to snap it up before it’s gone.

For more Big F bargains this Cyber Weekend, check out our guide to Black Friday Fender deals, and pop over to our epic guide to Black Friday guitar deals for all the latest offers.

Shop more Black Friday sales

• Amazon: Guitar gear deals
• Fender store: 50% off guitars
• Guitar Center: Up to 50% off
• Musician's Friend: Up to 60% off sale
• Positive Grid: Save on Spark
• Sweetwater: Save up to 80% on gear
• Waves: Plugins just $19.99

What is it

Calling Boss's Katana range of modeling amps a success is undercooking it somewhat: it's made the Japanese company become one of the biggest amp manufacturers in the world. But it also presented a problem.

The Katanas had the finely voiced amp models and curated Boss effects to present players with accessible guitar amps that could excel in practice rooms and on bar stages, but while it was on that mission the mini practice amp market blew up.

The standard was raised far above the tinny novelty mini stacks of old, with Yamaha and Positive Grid setting out impressive stalls with combos that looked like they belonged in your living room, or came with the bells and whistles of app connectivity. It eventually left Boss's own Katana-Mini looking a little undercooked by comparison, though certainly affordable.

But what it did remind us was that Boss's focus on providing excellent foundation amp choices (in this case three) that people would want to play through is always compelling. And that's really been a core of the Katana's success, no matter what is built around it.

Whatever Boss did next would need to carry that value onwards while recognising the growth of this home-friendly end of the amp market. And the potential appeal is huge; because every player has space in their home for a practice amp, right?

The original Katana-Mini was a whole seven years ago, and following the evolution of the Katana line with its third generation, the Mini X now comes with a host of new features. It looks more like its bigger siblings too, but it's bigger than the original. Is it better? More specifically, is it good enough?

• Boss Katana Mini vs Katana Mini X: Which should you buy?

Specs

Launch price: $149.99/£146/€169
Type: 10-watt mini analog combo amp with digital effects
Origin: Thailand
Output: 10-Watts
Speaker: 5-inch
Channels: Three (Clean, Crunch and Brown), each with a switchable Variation
Controls: Bass, middle, Treble rotary knobs, power and amp type switches, Gain and Volume rotary knobs, Mod/FX and Reverb/Delay rotary knobs, Tuner/Bluetooth button
Connectivity: 1/4-inch input, 3.5mm headphone jack, 5v USB-C power input
Power: Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery (1500mA) with approx 10 hours life (3 hours charging with 5V 2A or higher USB power supply)
Weight: 6lbs/2.7kgs
Dimensions: WxHxD 287mm x 200mm x 145mm
Contact: Boss

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★★

While the original 7-watt Katana-Mini didn't sound like a toy, its plastic casing and moulded handle did make it look and feel separate from the rest of the range. That's changed here; this is very much a little Katana amp, reflecting some of the DNA of the original Roland JC-120 in its contrasting lines and front panel. The previous Mini placed the controls on the top of the cabinet.

That cabinet is now wooden with a tolex covering and a removable synthetic handle. This feels sturdy and familiar to anyone who grew up with amp combos; it's a huge comparable upgrade but is unashamedly a combo amp in look and feel. It won't blend in with the pine or magnolia of your living room… until Boss makes it in white, anyway.

Everything is available on the front panel – there are no rear connections on the closed back to be found. The proposition is clear, and there's no smartphone app lurking to unlock any extra features for this amp either. The Katana-Mini X is self-contained hardware, and there's actually something refreshingly old-school about that right now to me.

The concession to modernity with the Katana-Mini X is to move to an internal rechargeable battery from the six AA batteries and optional Boss PSU (sold separately) of the previous Katana-Mini. That now seems like an archaic setup to be honest so I'm glad to see it gone. It's more convenient now, with USB-C charging, but I do have one complaint.

It's a point that could be aimed equally at the Positive Grid Spark Mini and Go; there's no pass-through charging, like a device such as a Steam Deck offers to gamers, for example. This can help prolong a battery's long-term health by allowing you to use the mains while and after the internal battery is charging.

So you are always depleting the nickel-metal hydride battery when you're using the Katana-Mini X – but I'm glad to report you can use this amp while it's charging for convenience.

And it's a wider point I'm making here, but I'd really like to see the industry consider the long-term lifespan of products that use internal rechargeable batteries that aren't necessarily user-replaceable. I think the option of powering devices from the mains or battery would be really useful and I'd personally be willing to pay a little extra for that piece of mind with a new desktop amp. Ok, mini rant over, let's move on!

Usability

Usability rating: ★★★★1/2

Boss's other devices – including the bigger Katanas and the recent GX-10 multi-effects pedal my colleague Matt reviewed – require users to purchase a separate BT-Dual adaptor to use Bluetooth, but that's not the case here because it's built-in. It's just one of a suite of new features that a seven-year gap has afforded Boss to develop. And they combine to make it clear that this is an upgrade in every sense.

I mentioned the control panel being moved to the front, and this is much more than a visual change to make the Mini X look more like an actual Katana amp. Moving between the original Mini and this one when I'm sat with them at a table with my guitar, there's no competition when it comes to usability. Everything is clear and instantly accessible on this new model – it's ideal for a desktop.

And there's more to access here too; the core Clean, Crunch and Brown channels are still present but each now has a Variation alternative voice like the bigger models. A new effects section (previously only delay was available) now offers modulations, auto wah, Synth and Octaver – and even a defretter (?!) on one rotary sweeping control, with delay and reverbs on another.

It becomes intuitive soon enough to dial in the speed, decay and intensity of these effects (mostly – delay is an exception as I'll explain soon) by ear with the placement of the rotary control. Again, there's a sense of reducing the obstacles to allow you to quickly get going to use this amp for its intended purpose.

I do have one complaint on the output side. The decision to go with 3.5mm for a headphone connection isn't surprising, but suggesting players use the same output for recording feels dated and impractical to me compared to the USB-C direct option from some of the competition.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★★1/2

Katana users will know the sounds I'm going to talk about now. The Clean, Crunch and Brown are still cornerstones of the range as it heads confidently into its third generation. They appeared on the previous Katana-Mini but here they don't just benefit from the improved scope of the larger speaker and improved cab, but the Variation mode you'll find on the larger Katanas too – and I'll get to that soon.

This isn't just a louder and more expansive-sounding Katana-Mini – at my kitchen table having the volume on two felt enough at close proximity, with my partner and kids wincing from the living room when I played with the Brown amp with volume at halfway! Maybe it's my playing…

I detect a richer harmonic experience too. Boss really did the work with the Katanas – choosing quality over quantity on the amp side, and there's a physicality to these tones that's really appealing as I try a selection of Telecaster, Strat, Player Mustang (with P-90-size Firebird pickups - I'm a guitar modder!) and humbucker-loaded SG Special guitars through it, I feel and hear more of their individuality as instruments coming through more than most experiences I've had with mini amps. I'll be honest, this is the kind of thing that gets me reaching for my credit card.

In the more intimate experience of being sat with this amp at table height, I actually gained a new appreciation for the characters of my modest but well-loved collection of modded guitars. The relative brightness compared to the more compressed character of the original Mini gives my neck pickups extra percussive bounce, bridges can sear but the articulation in chords even with the higher-gain SLO-esque Brown is impressive. Crunch is perfect for Hendrixian blues licks and choppy breakup rhythm.

Brown gets you into more traditional metal tones, but some will want a drive pedal in front to push into thick slabby saturation. Personally, I don't – the appeal here is that it's surprisingly articulate for a hi-gain amp type and is designed that way. If you're really keen on Dual Rectifier territory, there are more specific modelling alternatives of course, but the musicality and feel from this Katana's multi-stage analog gain circuit makes it incredibly addictive to play through just as it comes out of the box. However, there's an unexpected bonus to be found if you choose to bring in outside modelling pedals – like the recent Dual Rec fest of the Universal Audio Knuckles '92.

I mentioned the Variation button earlier, and each of the three amp types has one other voice to access with it. For the Clean it accesses an 'uncolored' flat mode for electric-acoustic guitars and bass (which accounts for that Defretter effect), but modelling pedals too, as I found with another Universal Audio pedal amp – the Dream '65 Fender Deluxe emulator. This option widens the potential of the Katana-Mini X further – and the output here could be enough for some solo acoustic and electric guitar street performers too.

For the Crunch, Variation adds high-end sustain that makes for a good solo voice. Brown's other mode tightens the low end for more of a US-leaning high-gain experience that is a lot of fun on the chugging side. It's all a great advert for the bigger Katanas, but also an excellent self-contained experience with everything a beginner guitarist would need – especially when you factor in the new effects section.

There are two rotary controls for the effects section that are reminiscent of the kind found on the Roland Cube – one handles the tape-style delay, along with a hall reverb and spring reverb emulation that can also be combined with the Spring Reverb.

The other control cycles through different modulations (Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo) and the funky Touch-Wah (that responds to the dynamics of your playing), Defretter (which is a nice touch for bass players), the unexpected Synth that reacts to single notes (and doesn't work too well in Brown and isn't all that appealing/useful anyway unless you want to sound like a Velcro stylophone), plus an Octave effect that's also suited to single note playing. There's no building virtual signal chains in an app and saving presets here either – you set the dials and you're away.

The borderline novelty Synth aside, it's not all good news. While the original Katana-Mini only offered delay, it came with controls over Level and Time. The Level didn't really have a significant impact to my ears but the Time parameter was obviously useful – just as it is on every delay pedal out there. Neither is present here though– the delay time and repeats are fixed on the Katana-Mini X, which is an odd, regressive thing to encounter when Boss gets so much right here amongst its additions.

Verdict

The Bluetooth side of things proved consistently reliable in my testing - it picks up my Android phone almost immediately after powering up. The only niggle is you can't control the streamed audio level on the amp itself for convenience. The same button used for pairing also activates a simple tuner.

But the real icing on the Katana cake for me here is the headphone experience – it's excellent. I'm not always inclined to play with headphones out of choice, though I doubt I'm alone here in feeling that I really have to in the house when my family are around. This amp is persuasive on that side while the previous iteration sounds rather compressed by comparison with my Yamaha HPH-MT7 studio monitor headphones. The Katana-Mini X can go very loud through cans too.

This all adds up to a clear improvement on the Mini Katana, but also a self-contained prospect for newer players that's convenient and offers an excellent gateway to effects and amp tones. But everyone should enjoy this amp. Away from the sheer breadth of options offered by app-paired modelling amps, these are the best amp sounds I've heard from a mini combo to date. Boss really has got its basics right with the Katana range, and the three amp types and variations here with a highly responsive three-band EQ count for a lot before factoring in the effects.

That also means the shortcomings I've pointed out aren't dealbreakers to me – though the limited delay effect and lack of USB recording are eyebrow-raisers and no mistake. These points are worth considering carefully depending on your needs and expectations. However, the Mini X is so usable and inspiring out of the box elsewhere that it's very clear the Katana brand is going to be adopted by more players through this amp. And it deserves to – I think it's definitely worth the asking price.

Guitar World verdict: If you want great tones and a solid range of effects in a small package without any reliance on apps and firmware updates, this is the mini amp to buy right now. You'll be surprised just how loud it can get too.

Also try

Hands-on videos

The Guitar Geek

Ola Englund

• Positive Grid Spark 2 review

Boss has bolstered its Katana amp family by unveiling what looks to be its most powerful pound-for-pound practice amp yet, the Katana-Mini X – and you can read our review here.

Alongside Positive Grid’s Spark amp range, the Boss Katana collective is widely seen as the market’s premier round-up of desktop amps and fully fledged solid state amps, with a range of at-home practice tools and giggable companions.

For its latest release, Boss has firmly set its sights on the former cohort. Perhaps with an eye on keeping Positive Grid’s growing influence in the desktop amp market in check, the Katana-Mini X is a 10-watt offering designed specifically for “daily practice and jamming”, and offers some of the bells and whistles you’d expect from a Boss amp in a very portable and affordable package.

It’s not the smallest Katana amp – that award goes to the seven-watt Katana Mini – but, in terms of what it offers from its humble size, it’s certainly one of the more powerful. In Boss' own words, it delivers “punch and power in a flyweight build”.

Notably, it has a multi-stage analog gain circuit with the Boss Tube Logic tech in order to deliver authentic tube amp tones from its solid state build, which can be harnessed through its three onboard amp types: Brown, Crunch and Clean, accessible via a slider switch.

These are complemented with two independent effects sections, split between Modulation/FX and Reverb/Delay, which offer a total of 10 effect types, including Tremolo, Phaser, Wah, Octave, Spring, and Delay.

Elsewhere, the front panel features a no-nonsense three-band EQ, a sole volume parameter, and that gain control that works alongside the aforementioned analog circuit.

There’s also a ‘Variation’ button that provides an additional voice per amp, Bluetooth connectivity for using the Katana-Mini X as a portable speaker, and cabinet emulation for silent headphone practice.

All of the above is packed into a lightweight, tidy-looking cabinet (only 6lbs) that houses a five-inch speaker that projects the amp’s array of tones. These supposedly span from “high-gain solo sounds to tight metal rhythm tones”.

As a plug-in-and-play practice amp that you can take anywhere, the Boss Katana-Mini X looks like a pretty solid option, with a USB-rechargable battery advancing its practicality. It’s also priced at just $149, making it one of the most affordable Katana amps ever produced.

To put that into perspective, the 10-watt Positive Grid Spark Mini – a close competitor in output and price – is slightly more expensive at $189 and has a streamlined, three-knob control circuit.

However, the Katana-Mini X doesn’t, it seems, support Bluetooth connectivity with the Boss Tone Studio unlike the other, more comprehensively appointed Katanas. That means you won’t be able to hop into the app for deep effects editing and selecting, which Positive Grid units allow. Nevertheless, we suspect that, for many players, it will offer more than enough functionality for a 10-watt bedroom amp.

For a full deep dive into the Boss Katana-Mini X, check out Guitar World’s in-depth review.

The Boss Katana-Mini X is available to preorder now for $149.99.

Visit Boss for more.

Budget gear champion Harley Benton has released a pair of wildly affordable $42 desktop amps with the launch of its all-new JAMster series.

Available in guitar and bass amp formats, the two “tabletop titans” offer Bluetooth connectivity, a real estate-saving plastic design, and 5” speakers to project 10 watts of power.

The tiny amps can be powered by standard 9V adapters for impromptu home, office, and coffee shop jams, though AA battery compatibility means players can amplify their playing in a host of off-road venues – like in the middle of a forest, or at the top of a mountain, for example.

Harley Benton is promising a respectable four-and-a-half-hour playtime on a full set of batteries.

Each model has Clean and Overdrive channels, which are activated by a push button found on the amp’s top-mounted control panel. That sits alongside a streamlined parameter set comprising Volume, Tone, and Gain, as well as a button for engaging Bluetooth.

Further still, there’s an input jack – you’d be lost without one – and 3.5mm jacks for headphone operation (in case your neighbors or work colleagues find its output too much) and linking to other speaker outputs.

Such a low price is likely to generate questions over its quality. There are clear indicators that price-reducing measures have been put in place – the plastic housing and definitely-not-a-Celestion-speaker aren’t going to set the world alight, and the lack of a three-band EQ is a shame.

Still, its appeal as a little runaround amp is clear, and it's most certainly one of the cheapest desktop amps currently available on the market.

And for those raising their eyebrows at the prospect of an amp that gives you change from 50 bucks, Thomann’s in-house brand has been banging out affordable gear with solid specs for some time now.

It’s already released budget-friendly replicas of popular electric guitars, including $315 LPs, sub-$400 Strat-a-likes, ash-bodied T-types for $253, and $207 Fender-style basses.

These have been augmented by the likes of smart guitars, amp modelers, pedals, and accessories. It's an impressive stock, to say the least.

The JAMster Guitar and Bass amps are available for $42.75.

Head to Harley Benton to learn more.

Harley Benton launched a Reverb store earlier this year, meaning US players won't have to wait for their budget buys to be shipped over from Germany. “Our philosophy,” the firm said at the time, “is that you should not be limited to a budget to buy the instrument of your dreams.”

Fractal Audio has expanded its pedal lineup by unveiling the VP4 – a new ‘virtual pedalboard’ that packages a host of effects inspired by the brand’s Axe-Fx III unit into a smaller-sized stompbox.

As evidenced by the recently unveiled Neural DSP Nano Cortex – as well as the updates that have been introduced for the Kemper Profiler Player and IK Multimedia TONEX – the digital effects arms race seems to be entering a new phase of play.

Now, Fractal has sought to address growing demands for compact effects solutions with the VP4 – a new four-switch multi-effects unit.

As the name suggests, this is a digital pedalboard of sorts, meaning the VP4 is not an amp modeler, nor is it an all-out rig replacement in the same vein as the HX Stomp or Nano Cortex: you won’t find any digital amp models, cab sims or IRs here.

Rather, the VP4 looks to be to Fractal what the HX Effects is to Line 6, with Fractal specifically engineering the VP4 to be a digital replacement for traditional guitar pedals.

With that in mind, the VP4 is a fully fledged multi-effects unit designed specifically for live use, and offers up to four effects banks that can be used simultaneously if desired. With a no-nonsense UI, the VP4 has four footswitches, and a range of universal parameter control knobs to dial in the desired tone.

Specifically, a range of drives, delays, reverbs, choruses, flangers, phasers, pitch shifters, EQs, compressors, wahs, tremolos and “many more” can all be used within the VP4, with more than 400 effects, based on the Axe-Fx III, on offer. In operation, there is room for 104 presets – each of which can be likened to one de facto pedalboard – with each featuring its one noise gate, maser EQ and level controls.

Similar to how the HX Stomp offers a variety of operation modes, the VP4 supports a ‘Gig Mode’, which offers the opportunity for more tailored switching via Scenes, Effects, Channels and more.

Other notable appointments include compatibility with VP4-Edit – a companion software for editing and browsing effects – an onboard tuner, an expression pedal jack, and upgradeable firmware, as well as MIDI connectivity ad stereo I/Os.

“The all-new Virtual Pedalboard interface is as familiar and enjoyable as your favorite pedals, with basic controls and an intuitive design that make the VP4 easy to setup, dial in, and play,” writes Fractal.

An effects-only addition to the Fractal lineup is an interesting move, and is definitely a play to tempt amp loyalists who might want to expand their rig with digital effects without going completely ampless.

Similarly, this could also be a solid option for modeler users who fancy amping up their rig's effects potential without having to issue a wholesale upgrade to their existing hardware.

Indeed, as Fractal notes, “The VP4 is designed to work seamlessly with a traditional amplifier and also excels at providing pre- or post-effects with any modeler.”

Because of this, it’s inevitable the VP4 will be closely compared to the HX Effects, which has two more footswitches and is slightly cheaper ($649 compared to $699). It will also probably be compared to the HX Stomp, which, again, is cheaper ($649) and while it does have one less footswitch, it does offer amp modeling.

The VP4 isn’t an amp replacement, however – just a classic multi-effects pedal – and the Fractal prestige will no doubt be enough to sway many curious players.

Whatever the case, the VP4 certainly sets an interesting precedent, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Fractal has plans for a VP6 or VP8 already in the pipeline.

The VP4 is available now for $699.

Visit Fractal to find out more.

Positive Grid has partnered with yet another electric guitar virtuoso to launch the latest signature edition of its hugely popular Spark Mini practice amp.

Since debuting the flagship Spark Mini in February 2022, Positive Grid has re-released the tiny smart amp in a variety of signature formats for the likes of Paul Gilbert and Zakk Wylde.

For its latest spin-off, Positive Grid has tapped Steve Vai, who has helped produce a Mandala grille cloth that comes embossed with an artwork inspired by his internet-breaking five-neck Hydra guitar.

As was the case with the Gilbert and Wylde amps, Vai’s contributions have extended beyond the amp’s aesthetics. Here, this particular Spark Mini is also loaded with four custom presets designed by Vai himself.

The first 100 units will be signed by Vai, who, it turns out, is a long-time fan of the firm’s fan favorite desktop amp.

“I gotta tell you, I don’t go anywhere without it,” says Vai in a launch video. “I really don’t. It sounds great. I have one backstage. I have one on the bus. And I have one for my hotel room.

“I am so in love with it and I use it so much, they asked, ‘Hey, you wanna sprinkle a little Vai fairy dust on it?’ And here it is.”

Now, the amp itself looks very cool indeed – perhaps the best signature Spark Mini we’ve seen so far – but the key selling point here is the fact it’s got Vai-approved tones.

There are four in total – Fresh, Mild, Hot and Dirty – which can be further edited using the Positive Grid app.

Of course, they’re all good to go from the off, with Fresh, Mild and Hot climbing the dirt scale for a range of delay-tinged cleans and gritty rhythms. Fire, meanwhile, is designed especially for solos.

Aside from the internal tonal perks and the unique cosmetics, Vai’s signature Spark Mini performs much the same as any regular Spark Mini. That means the battery-powered unit offers 10 watts of output, with Bluetooth compatibility and “endless tone options and interactive features”.

“For me, this Spark Mini is an excellent portable practice amp,” Vai notes. “The 4 tones allow for inspirational playing and I built these presets around my interests.”

A pre-order period will start on September 3. 100 of the amps sold within this window will arrive hand-signed by Vai. An official price hasn’t been announced, but Gilbert’s own model went for $299 – so expect a similar price this time around.

Head over to Positive Grid to find out more.

In other Positive Grid news, the firm recently unveiled the latest evolution of its hugely popular Spark amp, the Spark 2.

With the release of Spark 2, Positive Grid finally updated what was the go-to desktop guitar amp for the last few years. It’s been a long time coming, but for those who might have already purchased the original Positive Grid Spark (or Spark 1), or are perhaps new to the smart amp game and aren't sure which to choose, I wanted to weigh them up, side-by-side.

Spark 1 was something of a revelation when it first came out, enabling players to practice at low volumes, while allowing for a huge variety of tones. With the arrival of Spark 2, and the practice amp landscape having significantly changed largely due to the impact of Spark 1, now’s the perfect time to compare the two.

The Guitar World team tested Spark 1 and I've had hands-on experience with PG’s latest product (alongside plenty of other Positive Grid gear) for my Spark 2 review, so I'm well placed to make a judgment call when putting both amps head to head.

Having conducted in-depth testing of both, it’s time to pit them against one another and see which is worth your hard-earned cash. Let’s get to it…

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: At a glance

The core features of Spark 1 are that it has 40 watts of power, 2x4-inch speakers, and 4 programmable hardware presets. It uses the Spark app on your smartphone to access more tones, with 33 amp models and 43 effects to choose from alongside other features like Smart Jam and Auto Chords.

Spark 2 on the other hand has more power at 50 watts, improved 2x4-inch FRFR stereo speakers that are slightly angled outwards, and 8 programmable hardware presets. Like Spark 1 it uses the Spark app for extra tones and more detailed editing, and now includes the much-requested looper. It features the same amount of amp models and effects, with the addition of the brand-new HD amp models exclusive to Spark 2.

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: Build quality

Looking at the amps side by side they’re fairly close in terms of both looks and build quality. Both feature black tolex with gold piping, the same logo, and a similar look to the control panel on the top. Spark 2 has a darker grille color than Spark 1, and features some extra gold piping framing the grille cloth.

In terms of build quality, they’re both extremely well made and feel more than durable enough to cope with practicing at home. Both weigh in very similarly, with Spark 1 ever so slightly lighter at 5.2kg, whilst Spark 2 has added a little bulk coming in at 5.5kg. The cabinets for both feel very robust, and the models I tested were very well-finished without any cosmetic blemishes.

Spark 2 continues the ‘bigger is better’ trend by adding a little extra acreage too, it’s slightly wider at 375mm versus Spark 1’s 350mm. It’s also deeper, measuring 214mm to Spark 1’s 190mm. They’re small changes, but if space is at a premium something worth considering. At first glance, I think you’d be hard-pressed to tell anything other than cosmetic differences between the two.

Winner - I’ll call this one a draw, both units are similarly well-built, look nearly identical, and are very close in terms of size.

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: Features

While both amps look very similar, when we start talking about features we begin to see a wider gulf between the two opening up. Both amps have 2x4-inch speakers, but Spark 2’s have been upgraded to FRFR, and are pointed slightly outwards to create a wider stereo spread.

Spark 1 delivers 40 watts of power, but Spark 2 has upgraded this to 50 watts. Of course, at practice volumes, you’re not likely to use either’s full amount of power, but it’s nice to have for those moments when everyone is out of the house. Spark 2 also features a computational audio chip, that uses psychoacoustics to enhance the listening experience, whether you're playing music or your guitar through it.

While both models feature a similar number of amps and effects, Spark 2 has the brand new ‘HD’ models which utilize its increased computational power to deliver a higher quality tone. Spark 2 also ups the ante in terms of hardware presets, doubling from Spark 1’s by the addition of a pushable knob that opens up more save points.

Spark 1 does have an amp selection knob that’s no longer present on Spark 2, which some users might lament the lack of. It allows you to more easily select and customize a preset without diving into the Spark app, albeit with only a select few of the amp models on offer. If you’re not a fan of using your smartphone and enjoy Spark 1’s workflow, it’s certainly something to consider when upgrading to Spark 2.

Spark 2 also features a brand-new looper that can be used via hardware buttons on the amp itself or a portion of the app. Probably the most requested feature from regular Spark users, it represents a significant change from Spark 1. With the addition of the Spark Control X footswitch, you can also control it as a traditional looper with your feet, which a lot of users may find easier than using the Spark app.

Connectivity has changed as well thanks to the addition of stereo line-outs on the Spark 2. For USB audio it’s been upgraded to a USB-C connection, and you no longer need to plug in to update either with Spark 2 as it features over-the-air update capabilities. It’s a huge change from Spark 1’s rather limited connectivity, and was one of the things that needed a refresh.

Winner - I’ll have to give it to Spark 2 here. There are so many new things that might only be evolutionary upgrades, but adding them all up with the new looper sends it well clear of Spark 1 in a pure numbers game.

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: Usability

Sharing a similar look and build quality, albeit separated by quite a lot of features, both Spark amps are very similar when it comes to actually using them. The presence of real controls is always a good thing in our book, and Spark 1 features the same amp controls as the Spark 2, with gain, bass, mid, treble, and master controls for setting your tone. They both also feature the same controls for changing effects levels, with mod, delay, and reverb, featuring on both.

This is where the similarities end, as the original Spark had four options for custom presets, along with a rotary knob for selecting specific amp sounds. Spark 2 replaces this knob with a four-option rotary that can be pressed in to access a further four presets, allowing for 8 custom tones at any one time. For me, this is a huge improvement, as it always felt quite limiting having only four tones at once, sometimes I’d be lusting after something a little different, and having to reassign in the phone app could be irritating.

Replacing the old preset buttons on Spark 2 are the new onboard looper controls, although I can’t really see how much mileage you’ll get out of these. Perhaps they’ll come in handy if your smartphone is unavailable for some reason, or you just want a little less screen time when you're jamming with your guitar. The addition of separate guitar and music volume knobs on Spark 2 is another useful improvement, allowing you to more carefully balance between your own guitar and any songs or backing tracks you’re jamming along to.

The app is unchanged between the two different amp models, so if you’re used to using Spark App with your Spark 1, you’ll find very little difference in Spark 2. Aside from the extra features accessed from within the app, the look and feel is pretty much exactly the same, delivering a very similar user experience whether you’re using Spark 1, 2, or for that matter, any of PG’s other smart amps.

Winner - Spark 2 just about nudges this one for me thanks to the doubling of the presets and hardware looper function. While both amps are very easy to use, we feel Spark 2's 8 user presets make it a much more usable prospect, opening up more options for tones at the push of a button.

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: Sound

One of the most common complaints about Spark 1 was some users getting unusable levels of bass on certain amp models, resulting in a muddy or boomy tone. It was a small issue, but an issue nonetheless when it comes to looking at both amps' sound quality.

It has been resolved on Spark 2, which delivers a much-improved sound and no issues with the bass that I could discern during my testing. Although I'm unsure of the direct cause of the issue, no doubt improvements to the speakers have helped contribute to Spark 2’s superior sound quality.

Spark 1 is by no means a bad-sounding amp, after all, it’s one of the most popular practice/desktop amps ever made for a very good reason. It still delivers today, providing exceptionally good amp tones that are plenty good enough to cope with the demands of the modern player whether you’re after high-gain metal tones or pristine clean sounds.

The addition of improved FRFR speakers, slightly angled outwards, ensures Spark 2 delivers a far larger soundstage than Spark 1, which is especially noticeable with stereo delay and reverb effects. Spark 2 also features ‘HD’ amp models which boast improved tones, plus a computational audio chip aimed at improving the overall sound quality. For our money, it delivers on its promises incredibly well, and I found the quality of its amp simulation to be fantastic.

Spark 2 also features an extra 10 watts of power which helps it deliver an even larger tone than its predecessor, even if you’re not likely to crank it to the max when practicing at home. It's certainly loud, and the extra power makes it more usable when jamming with friends, and also enhances its capabilities as a Bluetooth speaker to really get the party going.

Winner - Spark 2 takes it again, boasting an impressive improvement in the overall sound quality stakes. It resolves one of the key issues of Spark 1, and gains some extra power for when you really want to crank things.

Positive Grid Spark 1 vs Spark 2: Verdict

It might come as no surprise that Spark 2 is, in my opinion, a better amp than Spark 1. With many extra features and improvements made since the original, this was Spark 2’s game to lose, and Positive Grid has absolutely delivered with the latest iteration of their smart amp. It’s bigger and bolder, adding plenty to keep existing users satiated as well as tempting those who haven’t tried a PG amp.

That said, there’s still a place for Spark 1. If you already own the amp, are happy with the sound, and aren’t fussed about using a looper, you might find there isn’t all that much to the latest edition. Those looking for a bargain might also find that the prices on Spark 1 drop significantly as Spark 2 becomes established, making it a great option if you’re short on cash. If you are an existing Spark 1 user, you can also purchase Spark 2 at a discounted rate using Positive Grid's upgrade program.

All-in-all I’d say Spark 2 is a more than worthy successor to the throne of best home guitar amp, and if you’re considering making the upgrade you aren’t likely to be disappointed. With the addition of a footswitch the looper will give you plenty of new things to play with, and the new amp models sound absolutely incredible through those FRFR speakers.

Over the past couple of weeks, the guitar universe has been abuzz about Positive Grid's Spark 2, the second edition of the firm's game-changing modeling amp.

First, Positive Grid confirmed that – nodding to a criticism of its predecessor – the Spark 2 would have a looper, before revealing the full details of the amp the following week.

Now, the company is teaming up with Guitar World's own Paul Riario for a star-studded live premiere event that will feature an impressive lineup of electric guitar greats – Carl Wockner, Periphery's Jake Bowen, and the star of the show, Nuno Bettencourt.

“I've used a ton of practice amps while touring the world for over 38 years and it was always just a technical, bland exercise,” Bettencourt says of the Spark 2. “Spark 2 is like taking Madison Square Garden wherever you go – epic and versatile.”

The premiere is set to take place this Thursday, August 1, at 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST, and will be featured on Guitar World's YouTube channel, and on Facebook and Instagram. You can watch it above.

One of the perks of working at Guitar World is that we often get to try gear early ourselves. In that vein, Guitar World Deals Writer Matt McCracken has already put the Spark 2 through its paces, and had this to say in his four-and-a-half star review of the amp.

“The original Spark is the definition of a modern classic amplifier, and Spark 2 is the perfect sequel. Adding more of everything in the best possible way, Positive Grid has knocked it out of the park when it comes to the latest iteration of their Spark amp.

“It is more evolution than revolution, but they’ve delivered everything guitarists have been asking for and more. It’s simply superb.”

For more info and further updates, visit Positive Grid.

Such is the popularity of the guitar that instead of giving it a day’s worth of celebration every year, they opted to dedicate a whole month to the celebration of our favorite instrument. Not content with missing out on the festivities, Positive Grid has announced a full month of savings on select gear, as well as free shipping on everything throughout International Guitar Month.

Each week different savings will be arriving, so if it’s not your favorite gear’s turn then you can check back later to see if it’s come up on sale. The biggest boon of all is that you’ll get free shipping on absolutely everything for the entire month, even if it’s not on sale. That includes the latest offerings from Positive Grid like the Spark Live and Spark Cab. If you prefer your amplifiers on the smaller side, there’s also a decent 5% discount on the Positive Grid Spark Go, one of the smallest practice amplifiers ever made. 

The Positive Grid Spark 40 completely changed the practice and desktop amp game when it first came out. Since then it’s been the springboard upon which Positive Grid has become a household name for guitar players. By combining the traditional guitar amp with modeling capabilities via a dedicated smartphone app, it suddenly got a whole lot easier for guitarists to practice with great tone and ease of use.

We love that it’s so easy to get playing via the Spark 40, which is rechargeable via USB. We pair ours with a wireless guitar system, which gives us a completely portable practice rig that’s playable anywhere. Removing any barriers to practice is always a good thing in our book, and that’s the real strength of the Spark 40.

The tones are fantastic quality too, and it’s surprisingly loud for a relatively small guitar amp. No matter what your preferred sound or style is, you’ll find a preset that will work for you on the Spark app. There’s also a huge array of user-generated tones on the Spark ToneCloud that give you pretty much any tone you can think of, whether you prefer Dave Gilmour or Dimebag Darrell.

Ever since its introduction, the Boss Katana range has become a byword for affordable digital modeling, with a wide range of guitar amps covering home, studio, and stage use. 

In the home amp market, small is often beautiful, and the Katana Air stereo desktop guitar amp is a popular choice, pushing out up to 30 watts through a pair of three-inch speakers, with a wireless guitar transmitter and battery power to remove untidy wires and cables. Now Boss has added yet another option to the range, for those who like the wireless thing but want more: the Katana Air EX. 

The Katana Air EX is physically bigger than the original Air, with a ported wood cabinet housing a pair of specially-designed five-inch loudspeakers. With a tough textured black finish, recessed control panel and silver accents to the speaker grille, the Air EX has more of a professional amp look and feel. 

As well as regular jack sockets for guitar and guitar amp headphones, there’s a docking port and charger for the Katana Air EX’s wireless transmitter, which provides up to 12 hours of play time. On the rear panel, there’s a useful pair of stereo line out jacks, together with an aux in and a USB type ‘B’ port for direct recording into your computer.

Bluetooth provides audio streaming and remote control from the Boss Tone Studio mobile app, enhanced by an optional wireless footswitch and expression pedal. Like its smaller brother, the Katana Air EX can run off mains power or batteries, with an optional rechargeable power pack giving up to 16 hours of cable-free use. 

In use, the bigger loudspeakers and stereo sound make the Katana Air EX satisfying to play and record, with practically zero latency from the wireless transmitter. The five amp voices aren’t modeled on specific designs but include superb clean, crunch, and lead tones together with a dedicated voice for bass and acoustic instruments.

There’s also the wonderful ‘Brown’ custom lead sound from Boss’ acclaimed Waza Craft head, which sounds terrific when teamed with a brawny humbucker pickup. You can take your pick from over 60 assorted boosts, overdrives, delays and modulations, and store your favorite patches in six on-board memory slots.

The stereo line-outs mean the Air EX isn’t restricted to home use – you can easily plug it into a console and use it on any size of stage, with enough power from the larger speakers to handle rehearsals and smaller un-mic’d gigs, with wireless freedom removing the distracting tangle of leads that can be pulled out or tripped over. 

If you’re looking for a desktop amp that crosses over into serious recording, rehearsals and more, the Katana Air EX is an ideal choice. 

Specs

• PRICE: $599 / £544
• TYPE: Digital modelling 2x5” stereo combo
• CHANNELS: Five amp voices and six on-board memory slots
• OUTPUT: 35 watts RMS on mains power, reducing to 20 watts on batteries
• CONTROLS: Amp type, gain, volume, bass, middle, treble, effects select x 2, reverb level, master volume, Bluetooth pairing, power, patch store/select
• SOCKETS: Guitar in, headphones out, transmitter dock/charge. Stereo line out, USB Type B port for direct recording to computer/DAW
• LOUDSPEAKERS: Two 5” special design
• WEIGHT: 5.6kg 
• DIMENSIONS: [HxWxD] 236 x 414 x 192mm
• OPTIONS: The EV-1WL wireless expression pedal retails for £163, while the FS-1WL wireless footswitch is £112. As an alternative to AA batteries, the rechargeable BTY-NIMH/A power pack gives up to 16 hours of playtime and sells for £108.           
• CONTACT: Boss

Purveyor of some of the most iconic guitar amps in music history, Laney has now expanded its celebrated Black Country Customs collection with three dedicated IRONHEART tube amps, which have been joined by a matching plugin.

Laney’s latest drop is a testament to the raw power and unparalleled versatility that is championed by the IRONHEART range, and builds upon the legacy of the British brand’s illustrious amp arsenal established by the likes of the Laney KLIPP and AOR.

The epitome of uncompromising tone and sheer sonic power, the IRONHEART range is meticulously crafted in Laney’s Black Country Customs UK workshop – itself an arena steeped in innovation and craftsmanship – with each amp offering upgraded technology, exceptional features and an aggressive modern design.

Three amps – all of which are built by hand – have been introduced for 2024: the BCC-IRT120H, BCC-IRT60H and BCC-IRT30-112. 

That latter amp, a 30-watt 1x12” combo, is a super-flexible playing companion, suitable for smooth high gain tones, low-end growl and punch, and everything in between. It’s a similar story for the BCC-IRT60H, a 60-watt amp head that is equally versatile, equally aggressive.

That just leaves the BCC-IRT120H – a monstrous 120-watt head that epitomizes the modern guitar amp.

Across the board, all three feature enhanced boost circuitry – elevating their already formidable sonic capabilities – as well as a premium assortment of ECC83 and 6L6 tubes. Thanks to this construction, there’s plenty of clean headroom for jazz and country tones, and more than enough gain for the most brutal of metal riffs.

Other premium appointments include multi-function Push Pull EQ controls and a dedicated XLR DI output for when recording or performing live.

“These celebrated amps stand as a testament to our commitment to delivering unparalleled sound and performance,” says Product Manager, Simon Fraser-Clark. “The IRONHEART range is not just an amplifier; it's a force to be reckoned with. It's about empowering musicians to conquer stages, leaving an indelible mark with their music.”

Laney has also debuted a companion IRONHEART plugin, which fully encapsulates the tube amps in digital form. The package also includes two Black Country Customs pedals, two Laney IRs with a range of mic’ing options and a suite of additional effects, such as EQ, delay and compression.

“We're incredibly excited to unveil the IRONHEART Plugin version. As a brand, Laney have always been creative thinkers and innovative designers and it’s an evolutionary step to offer the unparalleled flexibility and tonal possibilities of our awesome IRONHEARTs, in Digital form,” Laney said. “This marks a significant milestone in the industry, merging the best of British analogue and digital technologies to cater to the evolving needs of modern musicians.”

Laney is offering a free copy of the IRONHEART plugin with every purchase of a physical Black Country Customs amp. Similarly, you can enter a chance of winning a real BCC-IRT amp by purchasing the plugin directly from AURORA DSP.

For more information on the Laney IRONHEART Tube Amp Range, visit Laney.

Yamaha’s hugely popular THR series amps were a game-changer when they first launched, hanging around fulfilling the purpose of the Yamaha-coined term as your ‘third amp’. That is, the guitar amp that fills the gap between the limited, sometimes ugly black box in the corner of your room and the impractical overpowered nature of your on-stage amp  –  and luckily various models are now on sale in the Amazon Black Friday sale. 

With stylish looks and plenty of features, including amp modelling, effects, USB audio, Bluetooth and mobile connectivity, the latest Yamaha THRII series offers a lot of bang for its buck – plus they won’t look out of place in your front room. 

It doesn’t end there though, because Yamaha also makes the THRII Wireless, which has a built-in receiver for a Line 6 Relay G10II - the wireless transmitter produced by Yamaha’s sister company.

As you might expect, these amps don’t get discounted very often, mainly because they don’t need to be. But, that’s not stopping online retail giant Amazon from applying some savings. The THRII and THR Wireless models are both included in Black Friday guitar deals, with multiple versions on offer. Here’s what you can get!

If you’re a regular reader you’ll know how highly we rate Positive Grid’s smart amps here at Guitar World. In my Positive Grid Spark Go review I raved about this amp’s powerful voice, with a volume and tone that far outweighed its feather weight and teeny tiny size. Well, now our favorite mini amp just got a brand new colorway, with a sleek pearl white that looks super slick. Best of all, it’s got a $30 discount on the Positive Grid for Black Friday, meaning you can get one of the best practice amps around for just $99. 

When I first received the Positive Grid Spark Go for review, I was stunned at how small it was. That shock only grew when I plugged everything in and let rip on my trusty Telecaster for the first time. Trust me, this thing is loud. I’ve played a bunch of mini amps before and while they’re great for practicing with, unlike what I heard from the Spark Go I was never blown away by the sound quality or volume.

The Positive Grid Spark Go is a proper game changer, delivering top-tier tone from a unit that will quite literally fit in a pocket, albeit probably not those skinny jeans that have been sitting at the bottom of my drawer for a few years now. I love the companion app too, which gives me huge flexibility in tone shaping, whether I’m after that edge-of-breakup vintage sound or full-on monster djent tones.

There are some fantastic practice tools in there too. As well as staples like a metronome and a tuner, you also get an AI band to jam along with, which does a surprisingly good job of following the dynamics of your playing. There are also chord sheets for lots of different popular tunes, all of which add up to make the Positive Grid Spark Go one of the best compact practice tools for the modern guitar player.

Check out the full Positive Grid sale here and explore our Positive Grid Black Friday deal top picks right here.

Bad Cat has finally launched its collection of Jet Black guitar amps, which the Californian manufacturer has described as “a significant leap forward in sonic performance and flexibility for guitarists of all styles.”

Naturally, this declaration is attention-grabbing in and of itself, but the Jet Black amp platform is made even more notable by the fact that it was being used months before its release by none other than Tosin Abasi.

Though he was once seen as the poster boy for the Axe-Fx and amp modeling in general, the Animals As Leaders mastermind has reverted back to tube amps and pedalboards in recent years.

After making the switch a while back, the returning tube amp loyalist further reconfigured his amp backline back in June, opting for two Bad Cat tube amps – the high-gain Lynx, and the then-unannounced Jet Black head.

At the time, Abasi said he “hadn’t heard such clarity and definition before” – a serious statement of intent that not only serves as an affirmation of Abasi’s confidence in his new Bad Cat rig, but also as a gigantic seal of approval of the Jet Black’s performance.

Available in head and combo formats, the Jet Black was designed to bring “Black Cat amp's trademark sound to players who needed more volume” and doubles up on the EL84 tubes (four in total) resulting in improved headroom and touch-sensitive response.

According to the company, the introduction of an extra pair of EL84s led to an unexpected sonic outcome, which, in Bad Cat’s own words, resulted in an “unrestrained” and “visceral” playing experience.

Specs-wise, the Jet Black is a two-channel amp with (as previously mentioned) a built-in tremolo effect, as well as an FX loop, onboard reverb and a universal three-band EQ for hands-on sound sculpting.

Breaking those channels down further, the first is concerned with harmonically rich, edge-of-breakup clean tones, while the second is more rock-oriented, and is packed with – Black Cat says – both classic and modern guitar tones, all with their own unique character. 

On the front panel, each channel (which can be selected via a toggle switch) has dedicated Volume and Master parameters, and works in tandem with universal Treble, Middle, and Bass knobs. Elsewhere, the reverb is answerable to a one-size-fits-all control, while Tremolo (again, switchable via a toggle) can be dictated by Intensity and Speed.

There's also a line out, both for re-amping and for using external speaker cab Impulse Responses.

The Jet Black, Bad Cat says, “feels big, yet it’s still agile, responsive, and dynamic – you’re in complete control using nothing more than your pick attack and the volume control on your guitar.”

In terms of price, the Jet Black head and combo are available for $2,199 and $2,399, respectively. Both are available to preorder from retailers now.

Head over to Bad Cat to find out more.

Boss has given its hugely popular range of Katana amp heads and combo amps some serious thought over the past few years, introducing upgraded units, debuting its first-ever bass amps, expanding its accessory range and improving performance by way of software updates.

Now, the firm has given one of its lesser spotted Katana variants – the totally wireless Katana-Air desktop amp – some much-deserved attention, upgrading it in the form of the new Katana-Air EX.

Notably, it’s the first time the Katana-Air has been overhauled since it arrived back in 2018.

A whistle-stop tour of the highlights includes increased maximum power, an improved physical build, expanded sound projection, upgraded feature set, and additional recording and performance options.

To dive into those a little deeper, the Katana-Air EX weighs in with 35 watts of maximum output (that’s five more than the 30W Katana-Air), which is projected via a pair of custom five-inch speakers (the previous model had three-inch speakers).

This has led to the need for an updated, “carefully designed wood cabinet”, which, when paired with those larger speakers, is said to be more conducive to “generating full sound with rich resonance typically only available with performance amplifiers”.

There’s also a tuned bass-reflex port that, according to Boss, lends itself to a tighter bottom-end response for low-tuned guitars and even bass guitars. Oh, and that clunky metal handle has been swapped out in favor of a classy leather alternative, which is a very nice touch indeed.

The bolstered internal and external components mean the EX version is substantially larger than its predecessor when comparing them side-by-side, though despite its increased size, the new-for-2023 Katana-Air retains the original’s control panel.

That means there is a knob for selecting one of five onboard amp models – Brown, Lead, Crunch, Clean and Acoustic – as well as a three-band EQ comprising Bass, Middle and Treble parameters. Master Gain and Reverb lineup alongside Master and Volume controls. Two final effects knobs – BST/Mod and Delay/FX – complete the control set.

But as is typical for the Katana range, it’s the expanded feature set that really makes this range a market leader in the modeling amp sphere.

Here, Boss has upped the ante for its desktop platform, offering an expanded set of over 60 effects, which can be organized into the brand-standard six onboard memory slots. 

Deep sound editing and selection of effects and amps is available via the Boss Tone Studios – accessed wirelessly via Bluetooth – while the Boss Tone Exchange once again opens up avenues for community preset sharing.

Other notable features of the Katana-Air EX include the USB connectivity for use as a direct audio interface, the stereo line output with mic’d cab emulation for direct-to-PA live setups, and the fact the wireless transmitter has up to 12 hours of run time.

To access that wireless performance, the amp requires either eight AA batteries or the Roland BTY-NIMH/A rechargeable amp power pack. For standard plugged-in performance, there's an included power adaptor.

As a compact amp, it's got some pretty stiff competition in the form of the Positive Grid Spark and Fender Mustang LT40S, but we deemed its predecessor to be one of the best desktop amps on the market, so there's no reason why this new model can't be equally successful. Plus, it's got wireless connectivity on its side.

The Katana-Air EX is available now for $599.

Head over to Boss to find out more.

Positive Grid has put together some absolutely amazing deals for Father’s Day with money off and free gifts when you purchase their brilliant range of Spark amps and powerful BIAS software. Father's Day is on June 18th this year, and these amps and software are the perfect treat for hard-rocking fathers, or just as a gift for guitar players.

• View today's best Memorial Day guitar deals

Positive Grid’s flagship Spark 40 has got a $30/$40 discount, and you get a free traveler bag when you use the FREEGIFT coupon, a brilliant deal for any kind of guitar player. If you're short on space, then Spark Mini has got a $20/£30 discount and you get a super sweet-looking Crimson Grille completely free. You can also get a pre-order discount of $/£20 on one of the best mini-amps in the Spark GO, which we absolutely loved when we got an exclusive first look at it. 

Here at Guitar World, we’ve been converts of Positive Grid’s brilliant practice amps for some time, and as we type this we’ve got both the Spark Mini and Spark GO sitting on our desktop. Spark Mini is a deceptively loud amp and incredibly useful practice tool, as evidenced by our review where we gave it four and a half stars out of five.

There’s also a deal on the Positive Grid Spark Control footswitch, which we gave four stars out of five in our review. This Father’s Day it’s got $10/£20 off the regular price, giving you hands-free control of your Positive Grid Spark 40 desktop amp for much less. These deals are only available until June 18th, so make sure you act fast to get in on the action. 

Check out these Memorial Day deals

• Guitar Center: Up to 35% off in their official Memorial Day sale
• Musician's Friend: Save big on Fender, Martin, D'Angelico and more
• Sweetwater: Memorial Day pedals and accessories sale until 31 May
• Amazon: Today's top deals on wireless systems, cases and more
• Positive Grid: Save $150 off orders over $500, including Spark Mini and BIAS
• Waves: Buy 2 plugins get 2 free and supercharge your recordings
• Fender Play: 50% off an annual subscription with code guitarworld50
• Reverb: Deals on like-new, used, and vintage gear from Fender, Gibson & more
• Native Instruments: Get a massive 50% discount on Guitar Rig Pro 6
• IK Multimedia: Make major Amplitube savings right now

There’s an inexplicable joy in stumbling upon a boutique pedal builder that’s at the forefront of creating exceptional stompboxes. It’s as if you want to keep them all to yourself – until you find out there’s a small subset of players already using their impressive pedals. 

Browne Amplification, out of Kansas City, Missouri, has been one of the builders on my radar that has genuinely astonished me in terms of the build quality and tone of the pedals they produce. If you haven’t already tried their remarkable Protein Dual Overdrive, it’s one of those raved-about overdrive pedals that always ends up on backorder because it’s that good. 

Its popularity is mostly due to its stackable dual-drive circuit combination that’s inspired by a ’90s-era Marshall Bluesbreaker (blue side) and the Nobels ODR-1 (green side) – a dynamic overdrive duo that seemingly work gloriously together and separately. 

Recently, Browne Amplification released The Carbon (a standalone overdrive that extracts the “Blue” channel circuit of their Protein pedal) and The Fixer (a unique dual boost and buffer) as a pair of robust and gig-worthy stompboxes that address different needs, but if you ever have the chance to add either one onto your pedalboard, they may never come off.  

There are no internal or external switches to fiddle with; the Carbon’s custom-tweaked overdriven voice is achieved only by using controls for Volume, Tone and Gain. The pedal also features soft-switching and a blue LED, and it’s ruggedly handsome, with a mini-metal name badge attached to the powder blue coating of its metal housing.

The Fixer is an “always-on” pedal that aims to tackle the varying output when switching between guitars with different pickup complements by having two independent boost circuits with separate volumes, two status LEDs and an A/B soft-switch to toggle between the two boosts so you can add either more punch or match outputs.

There’s also a tuner out and mute switch so your tuner can stay active or hit mute for silent tuning or switching guitars. The Fixer also acts as a high-quality buffer that “fixes” impedance issues with larger signal chains and multiple pedals on your board.

The Fixer is more than just your garden-variety boost pedal. As a buffer, you can hear how much it adds restorative life and vigorous feel to your rig. And moreover, being able to balance output or inject more juicy oomph between different guitars makes this a must-have. If that’s not enough, it also works well as a discrete volume boost for its transparency and clarity.

Many players who love classic “Bluesbreaker” tones will undoubtedly embrace the Carbon, but I hate to break it to owners of the Protein – the Carbon sounds more organic as its own pedal. It’s still an outstanding circuit in either housing, but here, it blooms with more liveliness and presence and is bigger-sounding.

The Carbon’s brightly warm crunch is devastatingly amp-like, with a tight response when kept at a low-to-mid gain, and its straightforward controls make it so darn easy to find an enticingly focused and sweetly overdriven “base tone” like a jumped JTM Marshall. Either way, I suggest vaulting these stellar pedals at the top of your wish list. 

Specs

The Fixer

• PRICE: $/£149
• ORIGIN: USA
• TYPE: Dual boost/buffer pedal
• CONTROLS: A Volume, B Volume, A/B switch, Mute switch
• FEATURES: Silent switching, always on tuner out
• BYPASS: Buffered
• POWER: 9V DC

The Carbon

• PRICE: $/£219
• ORIGIN: USA
• TYPE: Overdrive pedal
• CONTROLS: Gain, Volume, Tone
• FEATURES: Based on the modded-Blues Breaker style drive of the 'blue' side of The Protein overdrive
• POWER: 9V DC
• CONTACT: Browne Amplification

The rise of pedals, profiling and desktop guitar amps illustrates the flexibility guitar players are now embracing. And it’s desktop practice amps that have the widest appeal and advantages, because they all acknowledge a simple fact: most guitarists are playing at home.

With these diminutive combos packing self-contained virtual rigs inside, we’re spoilt for choice, with the likes of Boss, Yamaha and Positive Grid raising the standards. Now Fender is bringing this refreshed successor for the GT40 to the table/desk. 

And you’ll need a fairly large one: the LT40S is slightly bigger, taller and deeper than Positive Grid’s Spark 40 combo, but the squat dimensions certainly lend themselves to being elevated. We like the mix of clean modern control layout (with the power button position on the top for practical purposes), with a chassis that feels rugged and sturdy.

While some other desktop amps embrace app integration, the LT40S is more self-contained, with a 1.8” colour screen but with the option to upload sounds via a desktop app, on the assumption your computer will be close at hand. There’s no Bluetooth for streaming audio to the amp, which is a shame but is reflected in the price.

The screen might be small, but the menu system to select presets, amp and effects models is a breeze to use, and we prefer it to using a separate app. Alongside a range of drives with familiar names that hint at inspirations including a Klon, Blues Driver and Tube Screamer, there are reverbs, modulations and delays. Though the LT40S’'s 25 effects are not as many as some, it’s still everything you’d need for classic tones, and they’re well voiced.

The ace card here for us is also a Mustang series calling card: the models of classic Fender amps. For us, the foundation of a great clean tone with plenty of headroom for your drive pedals or virtual ones is hard to beat.

The Deluxe, Twin (’50s and ’65), Champ, Bassman, Princeton and spiky Excelsior make for a great selection. The higher-gain fare is good too, though not at the level of the some of the competition’s more metallic offerings.

Amp names like ’70s Rock also make it less clear what the inspiration is (it’s a Marshall Super Lead Plexi), but some digging in (or cheating with the online manual) will reveal tones inspired by the JCM800, Vox AC30, Dual Rectifier, 5150 and OR120.

All in all, there’s plenty to enjoy here at a fair price for a compact 40-watt stereo amp that will keep you inspired.

Specs

• PRICE: $199 / £219
• TYPE: Modelling combo amp
• OUTPUT: 2 x 20W stereo
• CONTROLS: Gain, Volume, Treble, Bass, Master, Encoder button for menu navigation, Utility buttons; Back, Save, Menu and Tap
• FEATURES: Dual 4” full range Fender Special Design speakers, 1.8” colour LCD display, 60 presets (30 pre-loaded), 20 amp models, 25 effects, chromatic tuner, firmware and presets download via Fender Tone desktop app
• CONNECTIONS: Input, footswitch input (Fender Single-Button Economy recommended), headphone in, aux in, mini USB 
• DIMENSIONS: 365mm (W) x 204mm (H) x 210mm (D)
• WEIGHT: 12.25lbs (5.56kg)
• CONTACT: Fender

It’s extraordinary to think that the first Roland Cube guitar amp dates as far as back as 1978, and since then there’s been over 50 versions, each promising high-quality tones with unparalleled portability for the guitarist on the move. 

In 2021, with the introduction of the Cube Street II, the series was switched over to the Boss line – a sensible consideration given the brand’s guitar-centric legacy. The newest addition to the family is the Dual Cube LX, which offers more controls and features than any of its predecessors in a desktop amp format.

One of the most popular additions to the more expensive Cube Street II was its 45-second looper system, so busking/one-person-band types will be pleased to see that included here, though it requires an additional footswitch such as the Boss FS-6 – there are no onboard buttons to start and stop loops. 

The footswitch input found at the back is also capable of navigating through the 27 memory presets – three for each of the seven amp types, plus another three for the Microphone and Stereo In channels.

Speaking of amp types, there’s a lot on offer: from a highly realistic Acoustic Simulator, Roland Jazz Chorus setting, Fender-esque US Clean and Vox-ish Brit Combo before you get to the more metallic options like Hi-Gain Stack, Metal Stack and the infinitely scooped Extreme. 

It would be fair to say, as often with amps of this nature, it’s the ultra-low gain and high-gain tones that seem to work best – those opting for crystal cleans or heavily saturated levels of distortion will get the most out of the Dual Cube LX. 

Convincing edge-of-breakup sounds for SRV-style blues will present more of a challenge, but then again it’s worth noting only a small handful of valve amps are capable of authentically replicating one of the most highly sought-after and exponentially lavish tones in guitar history.

As for effects, there are options for chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo and heavy octave, and another dial for reverbs and delay with a tap tempo control – all of which perform to the dependably high levels Boss are renowned for, especially with the extra width provided by the stereo speakers. 

Those looking to deep dive even further will be pleased to find that the USB socket at the rear allows for software editing and direct recording. 

Though it’s plenty loud for its size, there’s also a stereo line out at the back, which could come in handy for performing in larger spaces where there’s an option to go through a mixing desk and PA.

With some stiff competition in recent years from the likes of Positive Grid and Yamaha, it’s clear Boss has been paying attention to what features have been most popular on Cube amps of the past and evolving the range in the right direction while also keeping affordability in mind.

Specs

• PRICE: $299 / £249
• TYPE: Portable 10-watt stereo desktop amp with effects
• ORIGIN: Made in China
• POWER: PSU or 8xAA batteries
• CONTROLS: Seven classic amp types, seven on-board effects, three-band EQ, tap tempo, looper, memory button, headphone mic volume knob
• SOCKETS: Mono/stereo input jacks, footswitch, headphones/recording out with in-built Cab Sim, USB type ‘B’, stereo line out, i-CUBE link/AUX in, Bluetooth/MIDI dual adapter
• WEIGHT: 3.3kg
• DIMENSIONS: [HxWxD] 215 x 341 x 162mm
• CONTACT: Boss

Just the mere mention of ‘epic soundscapes’ is enough to perk up this reviewer’s ears, so when Positive Grid’s OMNYSS announced its intention to affect our guitar tone in a ‘sonically disruptive’ way, our curiosity was naturally piqued.

Doing away with vintage gear recreations - you won’t find any JCMs or Tube Screamers here - OMNYSS places the sci-fi sounds of the future firmly in its focus. With three brand new amp models and matching cabs alongside six innovative stompboxes, this latest offering looks to cater to the modern guitar player, favoring tight, high gain tones over vintage tube amp recreations and unapologetically digital effects in lieu of your average analog stompbox model.

It's all powered by Positive Grid's BIAS FX 2 platform, coming with the LE version of PG's super amp simulation software. The OMNYSS suite of effects runs inside BIAS FX 2, so alongside all the kooky effects, you also get some quality classic amp and stompbox emulations to throw into the mix.

Positive Grid OMNYSS review: Features

Despite only consisting of three amp types and six effects, there’s a massive amount of tonal depth on offer here. In fact, there are so many knobs and sliders to tweak that we couldn’t possibly hope to cover them all within the constraints of this review – but we’ve certainly got enough time to discuss all the major talking points.

The three amp heads feature a definite bias towards high gain models, with both the Aggralith and Viscerus models providing huge, high gain tones that are perfect for more extreme styles of metal, djent, and anything heavy and dark. There is also a modern clean amp too, in the form of the pristine looking - and ominously titled - Etheria. Interestingly each amp head also has its own built-in synth effect, adding to your palette of tones with some unique-sounding, flanger-esque histrionics.

Every amp head comes with its own matched 4x12 cabinet, all of which can be multi-mic’d with different microphones and panned for some super stereo tones. If you already own any Positive Grid products you can mix and match the OMNYSS models with any of the standard cabinets too, opening up the gateway for adding some Celestions to the mix or just dialing things back a bit with a 1x12 cab.

The suite of effects features a lineup that is fairly standard in terms of pedal genre, but with a feature set that is unlike anything but the most esoteric stompboxes out there. Cerberus is a dual-octave stompbox with a drop-tuned setting for adding a touch of weirdness to your tones. Think of it as a Whammy DT for your DAW. Cypher Drive gives you five different flavors of overdrive, making it a versatile addition to your tone locker.

The Dark Matter compressor is probably the least left-field of the effects here but does feature a handy numerical readout on the ratio dial, so you can see if you’re compressing 1:4 or otherwise. There’s also the ZGate that will be a necessity for those who want to keep those chopped glitch effects under control and high-gain chugs super tight.

Moving into modulation and time-based effects, you get the Nebula reverb, which features some wild chorus and shimmer-type reverb tails and plenty of flexibility in sculpting tones. The Space Piercer delay pedal also delivers some properly crazy sounds, with switchable delay glitch effects and its own, unique shimmer delay sound. 

Positive Grid OMNYSS review: Performance

After some initial back and forth getting everything installed and set up (top tip: activate in your DAW first before you try and use it standalone!) we’re ready to rock, using OMNYSS in our copy of Studio One 6 to attempt to add some spice to our latest round of new year guitar demos.

We start off downloading from the user preset bank, finding varying tones from high-gain chugs to infinitely sustaining otherworldly synth drones. It’s easy enough to assign a bunch of presets to a bank and get playing, but the user presets are of varying quality – there are a few gems in there, but there are some that are pretty much unusable in the context of a mix. The majority of this comes down to judicious scooping of the mids via the EQ pedal - easily bypassed via the off switch - as well as many presets having the mix knob of the amp's onboard synth effect dialed way too high.

Adding a preset to a pre-recorded baritone guitar track offers up a delicious slab of high-gain riffing, thoroughly modern in voice with plenty of flexibility to be found in tweaking the EQ knobs. It’s easy enough to get it sitting nicely in the mix, dialling back the low end and adding some more mids to get it to play nice with the bass guitar. Layering these tones alongside more traditional amp sounds massively increases the heft and force of the song, taking a fledgling guitar demo straight to stink-face-inducing, wall of sound territory.

Putting the presets to one side, just how easy is it to create your own tone from scratch? Using the handy clear button we get rid of everything, adding the clean Etheria amp in to see if we can boost the sense of space in a hybrid picked clean passage. Adding in the Space Piercer delay pedal, we dial in a mix of glitch and shimmer delay tails to run just underneath our base clean tone, adding a sense of space and wonder that undulates beneath our moody riffing.

Combining it with the Nebula reverb soon has us spiralling through the wormhole of tone, giving an overpowering shudder of sound that’s thicker than a McDonald's milkshake. Using our stock EQ plugin we cut out the majority of the low end, adding some much-needed clarity to our clean tone. It’s phenomenal stuff and as an intrepid tone tripper, right up our street when it comes to delivering on OMNYSS’ promise of otherworldly tones and epic soundscapes.

It’s clear that this is one for the tone tweakers, so you’ll need to be prepared to go back and forth to sculpt your perfect sound, which is also where we run into one of the few snags with this awesome bit of software. Every time you load a plugin it presumably needs to connect to a server, as you’ll have to wait a few seconds before you can edit your settings. This makes things a little frustrating in the mix phase, where incremental changes can have a big effect on the overall sound and it’s helpful to be able to move between tracks and adjust quickly. 

That said, this could be an issue purely to do with our own internet speed, DAW, or some kind of resource-saving measure – but it’s the only plugin we’ve come across where this happens. It’s a small niggle considering the vast array of tones on offer here and the ease of use in creating your own preset in the first place, soon forgotten in the joy of hearing our basic guitar track get a new lease of life.

OMNYSS isn’t just for guitar either, we added some of the amp tones and effects to our VST synth sounds for extra warmth and depth, transforming a tried and tested sound into something far more intriguing. We even went as far as adding some of the Space Piercer delay effects to a snare drum track, automating some extra pizazz to a sparse middle 8 section; proof of OMNYSS' ability to inspire unconventionality in your compositions. 

Positive Grid OMNYSS review: Conclusion

It certainly won’t please the traditionalists, but for pure sound exploration and supernatural sounds, Positive Grid’s OMNYSS is a step up for your music-making game. If you’re tired of yet another Klon recreation or vintage tube amp reissue, OMNYSS is just the antidote for the forward-thinking guitar player.

Positive Grid OMNYSS review: Specification

• Price: $99
• Type: Amp and effects modeling software
• Amp models: 3 – two high gain, one clean
• Cab models: 3 – three matched 4x12 cabs
• Effects: 6 – Gate, Compressor, Pitch Shifter, Overdrive, Reverb, Delay
• Compatibility: PC/Mac
• Contact/Buy: Positive Grid

It's the most wonderful time of the year. That's right – it's Cyber Monday. That means if you're in the market for a sweet, sweet new piece of music gear, now's the time to add it to your rig.

That said, with the abundance of killer Cyber Monday guitar deals out there right now, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you're a beginner. Fortunately, though, here at Guitar World, we're laboring away to bring you the very best deals on everything from electric guitars to basses, so you can rest assured you're making the right purchase.

Every guitarist needs a solid practice amp, one that's compact, portable and easy to plug in and dial in a great tone. And we're very pleased to tell you that Cyber Monday has brought with it a wealth of awesome deals in this area. And we've compiled 'em all below. You're welcome.

Laney has revived its revered Supergroup tube amp format as the all-new LA-Studio – the most advanced Supergroup model yet, which combines genuine tube performance with contemporary technology.

The humble-looking amp head retains its iconic DNA through the appointment of preamp and power amp tubes, though throws into the mix embedded Two Notes Torpedo technology, six pre-loaded Impulse Responses, an output-modifying Brake switch and more.

It’s been dubbed by Laney as a “Real Plugin” thanks to its merger of classic appointments and modern functions, though for all intents and purposes it's an out-and-out tube amp with some nifty add-ons that improve its virtual functionality.

Overall, it’s a comprehensively revamped version of the 1967 Supergroup amp that was favored by heavy metal father Tony Iommi, who used it on Black Sabbath’s debut. Under the hood, the LA-Studio makes use of three ECC83 preamp tubes and a sole 12BH7 power tube.

In terms of controls, it features a Presence parameter for more pronounced upper mids and highs, as well as a three-band EQ comprising Bass, Middle and Treble. A final control, the Gain knob, provides the Supergroup’s passive tone stack and non-master volume gain structure.

Four inputs – two Bass, two Treble – also make the cut, as does a Power Brake switch that reduces the output from three watts to 0.5 watts in an effort to retain quality tones at lower volumes.

However, the real magic happens on the flip-side. Though it can work as a standalone unit or be paired with a mic’d-up cab, the LA-Studio sports an integrated Two Notes Torpedo module that grants access to state of the art DynIR virtual cabinet emulations.

On the rear of the amp, there is a control knob that flicks between six pre-loaded Laney IR presets, as well as a Level parameter and headphone jack. In practice, the LA-Studio can be hooked up to the front of house via DI for live settings, or to an audio interface in the studio for recording.

The amp’s cab preset slots can be tweaked, reconfigured and reloaded back into the LA-Studio via USB using Two Notes’ Torpedo Remote Software, which in turn can be used to select rooms, change mics, apply EQ and more. Whole new IRs can also be purchased from the Two Notes Wall Of Sound site.

You can hear the LA-Studio in action in the video above, which sees Lari Basilio put the latest Supergroup creation through its paces with a rendition of her 2019 track, Not Alone.

According to Laney, Supergroup champion Iommi has now made the LA-Studio his go-to guitar amp for recording in his own studio.

For more information, head over to Laney.

The original Positive Grid Spark was a sensation when it was released back in 2019, sending a sonic shockwave reverberating through the guitar-playing community. This intelligent practice amp offered features never before seen in such a small amp, and better yet, it was insanely affordable! Not happy with one revolutionary amp, the folks over at Positive Grid have their sights set on shaking up the amp space once again with the release of their new desktop companion, the Spark Mini. Right now, you can pre-order your very own smart mini amp and Spark Control footswitch saving you $100 off the price at the same time. 

While this new version of the celebrated Spark is a considerable downsize, it still boasts all of the features you’ve come to expect from Positive Grid – although the top panel has been simplified, with only Preset, Guitar and Music dials remaining on the physical amp. The much-loved Auto Chords feature – which analyzes songs and displays chords in real-time – is still accessible via the Spark app, as well as Video Capture, which allows you to record high-quality video and audio, perfect for budding YouTubers. 

Powered by their award-winning Bias tone engine, you’ll never run out of sounds or inspiration, with over 10,000+ tones available, ranging from realistic amp models to perfect recreations of classic stompboxes.

Looking for a new amp? Here are some buyer's guides to help you

• Best practice amps for mastering guitar and bass at home
• Practice in peace with the best headphones for guitar amps
• Best amp modelers: rack-mounted and floorboard options for every budget
• Go portable with the best desktop guitar amps

Okay, it may be Memorial Day, but the folks over at Positive Grid are one step ahead, offering up killer Father’s Day deals already. The plugin and smart amp gurus have slashed the prices of their state-of-the-art software as well as their insanely popular practice amps, with a discount of up to $120 available – depending on how much you have to spend. There are currently three levels of savings on offer, $50 off orders over $250, $80 off orders over $350 and $120 off when you spend over $500. 

Luckily there’s a deal to be had, no matter if you’re a recording fanatic or a bedroom warrior guitar player. Obviously, as you’d expect, the original recipe Positive Grid Spark has been discounted on its own. Still, you can also save even more if you choose to bundle this clever amplifier with some of its equally intelligent accessories. For example, if you purchase the amp solely, you’ll save a respectable $50, whereas if you bundle it with the new wireless footswitch, you’ll be eligible for an $80 discount.

It’s not just amplifiers on offer, you can also bag a decent deal on some software as well. The ever-popular Bias FX2 is down to only $150 – that’s as good as half price! This intuitive piece of software turns your laptop into the ultimate guitar rig, giving you access to a massive collection of famous amps and effects. Need a recording interface to take advantage of these deals? Well, Positive Grid has you covered. Their highly rated interface for guitar, Riff, has been bundled with the Bias software and is only $249!

As we are writing this, a few of the bundles have gone out of stock already, so if you want to get in on the action, you better be quick. Check out our guide to the best Memorial Day guitar sales for more bargains.

• Buying for the guitarist in your life? Here are the best gifts for guitar players

The Positive Grid Spark has revolutionised the competitive practice amp market. From the original model to the new Spark Mini, players have been singing the praises of these versatile, smart amps. But right now, if you're based in the UK, the best Spark amp for value is the Pearl edition, which is currently on sale with £46 off, including a free bag, at Amazon UK.

The next-level do-it-all features, the additional padded carry bag and free shipping makes this an unbelievable guitar amp deal. Especially with the Spark Pearl's stylish white tolex and gold piping giving it knockout looks. But you'll need to act fast as this offer is super time-limited. Like, it'll be done in a matter of hours.

In our Positive Grid Spark review, we said: "The Spark has all the connectivity, amp modeling and onboard effects you'd expect from a state-of-the-art desktop amp, but it takes the format into the future with its Smart Jam and Auto Chords features. It's incredible."

For the uninitiated, the Spark is a guitar practice amp, but it takes the concept to the next level. As well as the 33 on-board amp models, and 43 guitar effects, the Spark comes equipped with USB and Bluetooth connectivity giving you access to thousands of guitar tones as well as hooking up to your computer for recording. 

But the tech doesn’t stop there, because the spark also contains Positive Grid’s intelligent jamming features. Smart Jam learns your playing style and generates backing tracks with authentic bass and drum patterns to suit. While the Auto Chords feature can analyse any song you play through its smart app, producing a real-time chord chard so you can play along!

The amp also doubles as a stylish Bluetooth speaker that would make a fine addition to any room in your house.

If you're looking for something a bit smaller, the newly-announced Positive Grid Spark Mini is currently available to pre-order at a reduced price. It packs a lot of the same features of the main Spark, but in a compact black enclosure.

• View more of the best Positive Grid Spark deals online today

Fender has expanded its most affordable line of guitar amps with a new model, the Frontman 20G.

Weighing in at just 15 pounds, and boasting both a no-frills control layout and attractively low price tag, the model is a prime new contender in the beginner guitar amps category. 

For starters, the Frontman 20G produces 20 watts of power into an 8” Fender Special Design Speaker, twice the output of its smaller sibling, the Frontman 10G.

Controls come in the form of a pair of volume knobs – one each for the clean and Drive channels – a gain knob, and a three band-EQ comprised of treble, middle, and bass controls.

That aforementioned Drive channel is accessible via a select switch on the control panel, which also features an 1/8 inch aux input and 1/8 inch headphone output, for easy silent practice. 

The Fender Frontman 20G amplifier features a classic black textured vinyl covering, a silver-strand grille cloth and a molded plastic strap with nickel-plated caps, and is available now for $129.

Though parallel to the admittedly more versatile (and extremely popular) Mustang Micro in the Fender amp range in terms of price, the Frontman 20G can be thought of as a competitor to the likes of the similarly-priced, two-channel, 20-watt Orange Crush 20.

For more info on the amp, visit Fender. 

If you haven't tried out Positive Grid’s Spark, you really should. So far, nearly 300K users own this state-of-the-art amplifier, which offers a wealth of stellar-sounding onboard virtual guitar amps and effects curated from Positive Grid’s BIAS tone engine. 

Spark also includes advanced features like Smart Jam and Auto Chords, plus a tone library of well over 10,000 preset tones – created by users and artists – that you can access and download when paired with Spark’s free mobile app. This practical combination truly puts Spark in the category of a “smart” desktop amp that serves as an ever-evolving practicing tool for guitarists. 

Considering this, wouldn’t you want the ability to jam along to some classic songs by one of the most influential guitarists of all time while playing through his modeled gear? If you think that makes perfect sense, well, so does Positive Grid. To celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary, they partnered with Authentic Hendrix LLC to release the Experience Jimi Hendrix Official Gear Collection for Spark as an in-app purchase. 

This incredible collection features highly detailed emulations of six amps and six effects that Hendrix famously used throughout his career, all of which you can access from the Spark app. 

What’s cool is you can preview each one, select and learn more about how Hendrix used it, and download its “Official Presets'' to use as a launchpad in crafting your own virtual rig. The models sound convincingly great (I particularly loved the J.H. Axle Fuzz and J.H. D-Show Master), and you can absolutely move knobs and tweak settings to create unique tones that you can save to satisfy your inner-Jimi urges.

In keeping with the enduring legacy of this musical giant, the app contains a “Famous Moments” story section, which takes you on an interactive timeline of Hendrix’s artistic journey. It’s beautifully presented – with iconic photography and a “Milestone Songs” inclusion – and also details how his incendiary style of playing forever changed the guitar world.

I enjoyed the app’s Auto Tone function, where you can jam along to Hendrix’s career-defining songs, from the simple-but-tricky Hey Joe to the more challenging Voodoo Child (Slight Return). 

Each song calls up Jimi’s specific rig for that track and automatically switches preset sounds as you follow the displayed chord changes measure by measure. Even though transitions between presets have a slight hiccup and the sounds are “close enough for rock ’n’ roll,” Auto Tone is still a great deal of fun. But more importantly, no Monterey Strats were set ablaze as I struggled through the changes. 

• STREET PRICE: $20 (Spark in-app purchase);
  $269 (Hendrix & Spark amp bundle)
• CONTACT: Positive Grid

If you're yet to work out exactly what you're going to buy the guitar player in your life this Christmas, time is running out. But with less than three weeks to go, Positive Grid may just have saved your bacon, with some of the biggest discounts ever on the Spark and Spark Pearl practice amps, plus bundles.

There are three main offers to choose from – first, up to $140 off a Spark or Spark Pearl amp with a free Spark Traveller padded carrying bag and free shipping. Alternatively, you can put together your own Spark or Spark Pearl bundle with the Spark Hendrix add-on pack, and your choice of Sennheiser headphones or in-ear monitors, themselves undergoing a chunky discount from Positive Grid too!

The Positive Grid Spark is equipped with 33 amp models and 43 FX ranging from utilities such as noise gates and EQ through overdrives, modulation, delay and reverb. What's more, you have access to thousands of preset tones via the Spark smart app.

There's Bluetooth and USB on board, so jamming to your favourite music, hooking up wirelessly to the Spark app or connecting to your computer for recording is made easy.

But some of the most incredible functions lie in the Sparks intelligent feature. Smart Jam learns your playing style and automatically generates authentic bass and drum backing tracks for you to play over the top of.

Meanwhile the Auto Chords feature works with the Spark app to analyse any song you care to play through it, at which point it'll figure out the chords for you, allowing you to sit in with your favourite recordings with ease.

Take a look at our 5-star Positive Grid Spark review for an even deeper dive.

• Get more ideas with our guide to gifts for guitar players

It's hard to believe now, but before Yamaha launched its THR series just over a decade ago, the average practice amp (trust us, they were very average) sounded remarkably like an enraged wasp in a tin can. Full of custard. 

Typically thin, nasally, gutless and muddier than the Mississippi Delta, it's no wonder that players dreamed of upgrading to something like a Fender Twin, an AC30, a Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ or a Marshall JCM800. Sadly, the well-healed ones who did would have made two alarming discoveries. First, noise abatement orders are ruinously expensive, and second, playing at neighbor-friendly volumes sucks all the tone from even the finest guitar amps.

Fortunately, Yamaha came to the rescue with its little THR10 and tiddly THR5 amps. These were game changers because, for the first time, guitarists could experience authentic classic amp tones at living room volumes. 

Just as importantly, these toaster-sized wonders looked rather tasteful in a retro-modern, art-deco-ish kinda way. So much so, they weren't visually toxic to close family, putting paid to scathing GAS-killing comments such as: "I'm not having that monstrosity in my living room!" Rather than unimaginatively wrapping a small cab in cheap black vinyl, while muttering 'that'll do', it seems that somebody in Yamaha's design department actually gave a damn.

This masterful combination of considered design, authentic modelling and fine audio (Yamaha's music division turned to its home entertainment boffins for help in getting a huge sound from tiny speakers) spawned an entirely new product genre – the desktop amp. Yamaha sold gazillions. 

The two original amps were quickly joined by the bluesy-voiced THR10C, and an extreme high gain model, the THR10X. Puzzlingly, Yamaha then sat back for the best part of ten years, letting the competition catch up and ultimately overtake it with products such as the Boss Katana Air Wireless and the Vox Adio Air.

Then, about 18 months ago, Yamaha launched the THRII Series, finally introducing a slew of long-awaited new features and power upgrades. The THR30II Wireless sits right at the top of the model range – does it punch hard enough to enable Yamaha to win back its crown as king of the Desktop Amps? Let's see.

Yamaha THR30II Wireless review: Form & function 

The THR30II Wireless looks reassuringly similar to the original amps. Its smart, cream metal front and top, with subtle chrome details, is just as elegantly executed, even if we do prefer the original herringbone-style cut-outs to the new Yamaha inspired Ys. Along the top sits a long, neat row of glossy, black, fluted knobs to shape your sound with gain, EQ and effects. There's also a small numerical LED screen, various inputs/outputs including wireless plus five user memory buttons. A minimalist chrome carry handle tops off the unit, contributing to the retro vibe. 

Round the back and sides it's all tough, moulded, textured black plastic that'll easily shrug off a few good knocks and then some. A USB port and two quarter inch lineouts sit centrally on the rear panel, enabling you to hook it up to your computer or audio interface for recording.

The THR30II Wireless is slightly larger than its similar looking THR10II siblings – the THR10II Wireless and THR10II non-wireless – and weighs about a kilo more, but it's still unobtrusive enough to sit discreetly on a bookshelf or desk. Rated at 30 Watts (2 x 15W) it needs the extra space to house a pair of 3.5"(9cm) speakers against the THR10II's 3.1"(8cm) pair. Slightly confusingly, although Yamaha has stuck with the THR10 naming convention for these lesser models, they have benefitted from a power upgrade to 20 Watts (2 x 10W).

The THR30II Wireless' larger form size has also enabled Yamaha to provide direct, top panel access to its 15 amp models, which is an important feature for many guitarists. More on this below.

Perhaps the most significant suite of upgrades falls under the new Wireless moniker. Yes, the THR30II Wireless can be used sans guitar cables of any sort. Bluetooth enables you to connect Yamaha's THR Remote app for deep system edits, as well as stream backing tracks to jam along to. 

The previous THR10 series could be mains or battery powered but the prospect of it gobbling through eight AA batteries at a time was prohibitively expensive for most guitarists. Thankfully, all wireless models now have an internal rechargeable battery that should last about five hours, if you're playing at medium volume levels. So, no more mains cable clutter if you fancy moving it to the centre of your living room. 

The wireless THR-IIs also now feature an integrated Line 6 Relay G10 receiver. Just buy a G10 transmitter (street price about $/£100) to discover the overwhelming sense of liberation that comes with a cable-free setup. In practice, this means you can sit in your local park, jamming along to your favorite tracks completely cable free for up to five hours at a time. Which is more than enough for everyone.

Yamaha THR30II Wireless review: Sound 

Even when the old THR10 should have retired, drawn a pension and moved to a residential home, it was still a strong seller. Why? Because it sounded heavenly and was a breeze to use.

So, how does the THR30II sound? Thoroughly marvellous. No, it doesn't sound exactly like a Fender Twin, a Marshall stack or a high gain Mesa, but that's not the point. It certainly gets you in the right ballpark, and we'd argue it sounds way, way better than the aforementioned amps at bedroom volumes. Yamaha's 'Virtual Circuit Modeling' technology, which simulates each circuit down to component level, is still up with the very best modelling tech out there.

Just like the original, thanks to Yamaha's 'Extended Stereo Technology', it also manages to sound ridiculously expansive, despite its pint-sized enclosure. Spin the amp knob to whatever takes your fancy, from sparkly clean models to monster gain, and you'll be rewarded with a tone that has real depth and complexity. A far cry from the practice amps of a decade ago.

Yamaha provoked the ire of bedroom guitarists when it launched the separate boutique THR10C and extreme gain THR10X amps instead of making the additional amp models available to existing THR10 owners via firmware. But it's now made amends. Every amp in the THR-II series ships with all 15 amp simulations, from classic to boutique to high gain. 

We don't have room to go through every simulation here, but suffice to say that there's no filler, they all sound exemplary. One of the reasons we find it hard to tear ourselves away from this little amp is that it's so dynamic, just like a real tube amp. Dial in a crunchy or lead tone, before backing off your guitar's volume or playing more delicately, and the little THR will clean up immediately. Dig in again and the sound will begin to break up in the most gorgeous fashion. It's a very addictive playing experience.

Today, our favorites are the Crunch and Lead amps on the Boutique setting, but tomorrow will we favor a super transparent tone or a modern high gain sound? All we know is that it's an absolute gift to have this level of sonic versatility on tap.

However, it is worth noting that the THR30II is the only amp in the line-up that makes all 15 models readily accessible on the top panel via a physical three-way switch. The lesser amps in the series default to five models with a further ten only available through the THR Remote app. 

We suspect Yamaha has done this in order to differentiate the THR30II and justify its higher price tag, but it seems a shame that its siblings have been hobbled in this way. With the THR30II your sound can be almost entirely shaped by turning a knob or flicking a switch on the top panel, with little need to resort to the app unless you want to fine-tune the results to the nth degree.

Five amp models – Clean, Crunch, Lead, Hi Gain and Special – are accessed via a rotary dial, but these are available in three different flavors, found by clicking a switch to either Classic, Boutique or Modern. In addition, there are settings for Flat (keyboards etc), Aco (acoustic guitar) and Bass.

Judicious twisting of the Gain knob and Master knob will adjust the amount of preamp and power amp saturation, while EQ is taken care of by the Bass, Middle and Treble knobs. The Guitar Output knob then governs the actual volume delivered to your living room. This can be balanced against the Audio knob that adjusts the loudness of a streamed backing track.

The THR30II takes pedals well, but for sheer immediacy of use it's impossible to fault the built-in chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo and reverb effects. They're so good, and so easy to use – again via a suite of dedicated physical knobs – you may find your gigging pedalboard stays in its case when you're practicing at home.

Fall in love with a tone and you can save it to one of five user-memory buttons for easy recall.

We didn't bother that much with the THR Remote app, not because we don't like apps but because if you enjoy playing for the sake of playing then you really can access every setting you need without having to menu surf. That's a big plus for us. If, on the other hand, you love finessing (aka endlessly fiddling) then the app does give you much finer control. You can select cab emulations, activate a compressor, turn on a noise gate, assign third party footswitch support and more. You'll either love it or not use it at all.

Yamaha THR30II Wireless review: Gigging power? 

Crank a Vox AC30 and your neighbor's neighbors will know about it because the paint will start peeling from their walls. The THR30II Wireless is also a 30 Watt amp, so surely it should be loud enough to gig with too? The short answer is no. Wattage ratings only have a small influence on how loud amps actually are, and comparisons are pointless. The truth is, the THR30II is designed as a practice amp that's most at home in a small room. If you play an acoustic singer/songwriter set with no drums, then you may get away with it in a modest venue but that's about it.

So, why did Yamaha up the wattage from the original's 10 Watts? We suspect it's all to do with increasing headroom for better playing dynamics, especially with looper pedals. The bigger speakers in the THR30II provide better bass response too. And, of course, the GAS in us knows that bigger is best when it comes to numbers. Even when it's not.

All is not lost, however. The THR30II has two quarter inch lineouts, which means that you can plug it straight into your venue's desk or PA. This is certainly worth experimenting with because, under the right circumstances, it would make a super little lightweight touring amp.

Yamaha THR30II Wireless review: Conclusion 

Yamaha took its time resuscitating its THR series, but the wireless capabilities and rechargeable batteries now found in the premium models make them almost indispensable. The THR30II, with its comprehensive, user-friendly top panel and lineouts, is easily the pick of the bunch, even if the price tag is high. 

Yamaha THR30II review: Specifications 

• Amp Types: 15 Guitar Amp Models, 3 Acoustic Models, 3 Bass Models, 3 Flat Voicings
• Effects: Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Echo, Echo/Rev, Spring Reverb, Hall Reverb, Compressor, Noise Gate
• Bluetooth: Audio/MIDI
• Guitar Wireless: Requires Line 6 G10T/GT10II transmitter
• Chromatic Tuner: Yes
• User memories: Five
• Connections: Input (1/4"), Aux (Stereo Mini), Phones (Stereo Mini), Line Out L/R (1/4" X2), DC In, USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant
• Speakers: 3.5"(9cm) Full Range x 2
• Rated Output: 30W (15W + 15W), On battery power – 15W (7.5W + 7.5W)
• Battery: Rechargeable, 5 hours life approx
• Dimensions: Width - 420mm; Height - 195mm; Depth - 155mm
• Weight: 4.3kg
• Contact: Yamaha 

The Vox Adio Air GT is a small desktop guitar amp with modeling capabilities. Packing a massive 50W into a small package, this tiny but mighty amp boasts 11 amp models (23 if you use the app/software), a range of different effects, Bluetooth connectivity, eight slots for custom presets and two 3” speakers working in stereo. It can be powered via mains, or batteries.

It’s a great amp for beginners and more seasoned players alike. Those just starting out can learn about the different amp and effects types, whilst getting some great tones for all different styles of music. Experienced guitarists can use it as a practice amp in the office or living room, to save firing up the big tube amp for every quick jam.  

So, what does the Vox Adio Air GT sound like? Honestly, it’s great. The first thing we noticed is how much bigger it sounds than its actual size suggests - you can dial in some great sounding, big rock tones all pumped out by a pair of 3” speakers. There is a little bit of that ‘boxiness’ that you usually get with small amps, but nowhere near as much as you might think. The Adio Air GT keeps up with amps much bigger than this.

Starting from the cleans, you can get a good range - from bright, sparkly and chimey, to warm and mellow. Combine this with some nice reverb from the effects section and you’ve got a really good clean tone that works well with any type of guitar. Working your way through the different amp channels, you get a wide range of different tones - from classic rock crunch all the way to hi-gain saturation. Some of the really distorted sounds can get a little muddy in the bottom end, but that’s if we’re being super picky!

Whilst the amp models aren’t exactly spot-on replications of what they’re meant to be, they’re close enough. You’ve got enough on board to cover rock, blues, country, metal, pop, funk and seemingly anything else. Plus you can download the Vox Tone Room app on your tablet or smartphone, which gives you access to a total of 23 amp models. It’s great to have so many different virtual amps to use as a basis of your tone, but it’s likely that you’ll probably keep coming back to the same two or three. For us, we particularly loved the on-the-edge-of-breakup sound of BTQ CL, and the high-gain chunk of DOUBLE REC.

What definitely needs mentioning is the ‘wide’ function. When engaged, this takes advantage of the stereo speakers and gives you a really wide 3D sound image. Pair this with the Wide Delay setting and it really is like you’re in the middle of a stereo rig - very cool! It’s also really useful how Vox has split the effects section in two, so that you can layer different effects, instead of just choosing one. Pairing tremolo with spring reverb on a clean amp sound yielded some nice Fendery tones, and going for a JCM800-style amp with chorus and delay was just pure 80s rock.

The amp also features Bluetooth. This is particularly handy for playing along with backing tracks, or maybe learning some songs from Spotify or YouTube. A nice touch - simple, but very effective - is having two volumes; one for your guitar sound, and another for Bluetooth (or aux in) audio, so you can balance them how you like. The Bluetooth feature and battery power operation also mean that you can use the Vox Adio Air GT as a wireless speaker at outdoor parties, BBQs etc.

Another useful feature is being able to use it to record. Simply take a USB cable out of the amp and run it directly into a computer to record without having to use any microphones. It’s really easy to use and the results are great!

The volume that you get out of the amp is perfectly enough for playing at home. You wouldn’t be able to gig with it, but that’s not what it’s designed for. When you start pushing the volume towards its max, the speakers do start giving out a little but honestly, we can’t imagine when you’d ever need to do that. We’re also a little bit sceptical about it being rated at 50W - this won’t push out as much volume as a Boss Katana 50, for example.

Vox Adio Air GT review: Verdict 

The Vox Adio Air GT is probably one of the best non-giggable modeling amps out there. It’s a great solution to those wanting to play at home, without having to use a big guitar amp. It pumps out a wide range of high-quality amp tones and effects, plus it’s got a range of features that make everyday life as a guitarist that bit easier. 

Vox Adio Air GT review: Specifications 

• Price: $299/£249
• Technology: Digital Modeling
• Power: 50W
• Channels: 11 (23 with Tone Room)
• Speaker: 2 x 3” Standard Speakers
• Effects: 8 (19 with Tone Room)
• Connectivity: Instrument Input, Auxiliary Input, Headphone Output, USB Port (Type B), Bluetooth
• Contact: Vox 

Certified djent god Jared Dines shows us a thing or two with his Positive Grid Spark, the #1 best-selling practice amp Want to learn more? Get $40 off and free carrying bag right here: https://bit.ly/3gwGvxE 

Following the recently announced Airborne Go, Harley Benton has launched its latest practice amp, the TableAmp V2.

Weighing just over 3kg and featuring music streaming capabilities integrated via Bluetooth, the TableAmp V2 is “for songwriters and instrumentalists needing a compact amp for practice at home”.

In terms of connectivity, the amp is compatible with both electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele and vocals. It sports both instrument and XLR inputs, as well as an Aux input and Headphone output.

Featuring a 5-inch bass woofer and 1-inch tweeter, the TableAmp V2 generates 30W of power, and features an onboard digital reverb and two-band EQ (Bass and Treble).

The TableAmp V2 is available now for $79. For more information, head over to Harley Benton.

2021's been a busy year thus far for Harley Benton. The company has already launched an updated version of its HB-35 Plus, new EMG-loaded SC-550 Plus and SC-Custom Plus models and even a colorful new range of soprano ukuleles, and now it sets its sights on the affordable practice amp market with the all-new Airborne Go.

Chief among its features is wireless playability – the amp itself acts as a receiver, and a Harley Benton AirBorne instrument 2.4 GHz wireless plug-n-play transmitter is included, which can be charged via the amp's USB port.

There's an impressive spec sheet elsewhere, too, including Bluetooth connectivity, three modern and classic guitar amp "HD" models, 13 digital effects, and a drum machine and metronome with 9 rhythmic patterns.

While the amp sports a relatively simple control layout with Gain, Volume, Tone and Delay/Reverb knobs, players can install the Airborne Go app for advanced tone editing.

The unit also includes an Aux/Line-in input, offering players the ability to plug in their playback device of choice to play along with streamed music.

Build-wise, the Airborne Go features a single 3-inch speaker housed within a wooden cabinet, weighing just 1.3kg (approx. 2.9lbs), and measuring only 220 x 114 x 155mm (L x W x H).

The Airborne Go is available now for $138/£100. For more information, head over to Harley Benton.

Fender has officially launched its ultra-versatile, plug-in-and-play guitar amp, the Mustang Micro, which puts a huge array of amp tones into a compact, pocket-sized package.

Described by the guitar giant as “the ultimate on-the-go guitar amplifier”, the Mustang Micro features an easy-to-use design, with a headphone jack giving guitarists immediate access to a wealth of tonal options.

Boasting a rechargeable ion battery with over four hours of uninterrupted play, the Micro comes equipped with 12 amp models, ranging from classic clean tones to high-gain metal sounds, which take sonic inspiration from Fender’s Mustang series of amps. 

It also features 13 onboard effects from Fender's Mustang GTX series, including reverb and delay, as well as EQ and Modify controls for a sophisticated tone-sculpting experience.

Specific LED colors are used to differentiate between which amp has been selected, with five separate colors being assigned to the EQ control to highlight different sonic variations. Likewise, individual colors are used to distinguish which combinations of effects are in operation.

Sporting a functional flexibility that matches its tonal versatility, the amp also features a USB-C output for easy integration into recording setups, Bluetooth connection to play along with tracks and videos, and a rotating input plug, which fits a variety of electric guitars.

The Fender Mustang Micro is available now for $99.

Head over to Fender for more information.

For many, the Deluxe amp defines the Fender tweed sound. Its rock ’n’ roll growl and sweet singing saturation has long been associated with countless guitar luminaries over the years including Larry Carlton, Mike Campbell, Neil Young, Scotty Moore and Don Felder. 

Several permutations of the Deluxe were designed, although it’s the sixth version – the 5E3, released in 1955 and manufactured until 1961 – that is the most widely acclaimed and serves as the basis for Fender’s hand-wired ’57 Custom Deluxe reissue.

The story of the Deluxe begins in 1946, when the first Fender-branded amps were released. Referred to as ‘woodie’ amps because of their natural hardwood finish, they are easily identified by their distinctive red, blue or gold-coloured grille cloths and chrome-plated vertical front strips. 

These original woodie models consisted of the Princeton, Deluxe (branded ‘Model 26’ on the control panel) and Professional, and were fitted with either an eight, 10 or 15-inch speaker (respectively). 

Featuring two inputs labelled ‘instruments’, and one ‘microphone’ input, along with separate volume controls for each and a single tone control, the Model 26 Deluxe is the precursor to the first tweed Deluxe model, the 5A3.

In 1947, Fender added the ‘V’-front Dual Professional 2x10 combo (later renamed the Super) to the top of the company’s amp range, and with its new tweed covering it set the standard in Fender amp aesthetics until the end of the 50s when harder wearing Tolex vinyl covering appeared.

By 1948, Fender’s entire amp range had transitioned to the new-look tweed style. Affectionately known as ‘TV-front’ amps on account of their resemblance to a 1950s TV set, this included the upgraded 1x12 Deluxe model 5A3.

The next Deluxe model – the 5B3 – appeared in 1953 and is essentially the same as the 5A3 in terms of circuitry, although by this point Fender’s ‘wide panel’ tweed amp format had been implemented across the line.

Significant revisions to the Deluxe’s electronics came with the 5C3, which included a negative feedback circuit, although this was removed from the further revised 1954 5D3 ‘wide panel’ design.

Appearing in 1955, Fender’s ‘narrow panel’ tweed amp range featured the now legendary 5E3 model. As per all previous versions, it runs on a pair of cathode-biased 6V6GT power valves (which some hear as akin to the chime of a Vox AC15) and features a 5Y3GT rectifier valve, which has a tendency to sag and produce a slightly spongey attack. 

Partly due to its lack of a negative feedback circuit, the 5E3 sounds characteristically sweet at lower volume due to added harmonics, before breaking up into saturated distortion at higher settings. The 5E3’s unique cathodyne phase splitter also adds to its distinctive tone.

Throughout the early days of rock ’n’ roll, the tweed Deluxe proved to be a dependable amp for use both on stage and in the studio. However, in 1961 the end of the tweed Deluxe era was heralded by the arrival of the more powerful tremolo-equipped brown Tolex-covered 6G3 Deluxe.

You’d be hard pressed to name an amplifier that has made a bigger splash in the guitar world in recent years than Positive Grid’s Spark. Then again, Spark isn’t just an amp – at least not in the conventional sense.

The intelligent amplifier is loaded with amp models and effects, and can access more than 10,000 additional amp-and-effect presets via the online ToneCloud.

Additionally, music can be imported from Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube, and Spark’s smart app will auto display the guitar chords in real time. And users can pick a tempo, play a riff or a chord progression or choose the genre they want and the amp will create a backing track with authentic bass and drum sounds to jam over.

That’s a whole lot of functionality – and also only the tip of the Spark iceberg. For those interested in trying out Spark for themselves, Positive Grid is now offering the opportunity to seriously deck out your at-home practice, jamming and recording setup with your own Spark in the Positive Grid Jam at Home Giveaway. 

One lucky winner will receive over $3,300 in prizes, including a Positive Grid Spark guitar amp and BIAS software pack, plus amazing items from ESP, PreSonus, Dunlop and more. Enter here.

For an easy introduction to some of the amazing sounds Spark is capable of producing, YouTuber Darrell Braun has put together a new video in which he plugs in and unlocks five of the most iconic amp tones in history.

What’s more, he hooks the Spark directly into his computer via the USB output. “It’s a hugely convenient feature,” Darrell says, “to have an audio interface built straight into a practice amp.”

From there he dives into iconic amp tone #1: the AC Boost. Using the controls on the Spark app, Darrell adds noise gate and compressor and dials in his own amount of reverb to achieve that classic AC liquid chime. “Every note is just clean and legible,” he marvels. “Every string and every range sounds so, so beautiful.”

The next four amp sounds are just as stunningly authentic, from the “perfect Fender tone” of the American Deluxe patch to the “aggressive attack” of the British 30, the spongy, singing quality of the Plexiglass to the modern metal roar of the Boogie-like Treadplate.

Of that last patch, Darrell notes, “There’s so many awesome high-gain amps on the Spark, and once you connect the amp to the internet it’s pretty much unlimited.”

Which, essentially, is the Spark in a nutshell – seemingly unlimited tones, effects and features, which combine to unlock boundless creativity in your playing.

To find out more about Spark, click here.

And to enter for your chance to win a Spark and BIAS software pack along with other prizes, head to the Positive Grid Jam at Home Giveaway. Entries close on November 30.

Looking for huge savings on guitars amps and more? Take a look at our dedicated Black Friday Positive Grid deals and Black Friday guitar deals pages for all the latest and greatest offers.

In the world of guitar amps, preorder sales of 25,000 is huge. So how did the Positive Grid Spark manage to convince so many people to buy one before having the chance to try it? And what has made over 100,000 players go for the Spark within a year of its release?

Maybe the first part of that answer lies in the tone engine. Anyone who has played through Positive Grid's BIAS modelling software or heads can attest that it is very good. And here, that is really the main event.

• Take a look at the best practice amps
• Keep the noise down with the best headphones for guitar amps

But there is more to it than that. Positive Grid recognises one central truth about guitar players; most of us play at home. And they have kitted out this desktop amp to provide all the features you might want from your stay-at-home amplifier.

What's more, the Spark is not a pricey piece of kit. It is priced well within the beginner's reach. 

Then you have to consider the idea that the Spark isn’t just an amp. At least, not in the conventional sense.

Of course, you have heard it all before with regards amp integration blah blah, Bluetooth audio streaming yada yada... And sure, the Spark does all that. But the Spark can also analyse a song of your choice from Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube then transpose its chords so you can play along with it. 

Pick a tempo, play a riff or a chord progression, choose the genre you want and it’ll create a backing track for your to jam with. Even the most cynical tone hound would have to raise an eyebrow at that.

The Spark looks like a proper guitar amplifier. It is a table-friendly format, but it isn’t trying to masquerade as a piece of hi-fi equipment to appeal to the home gadget fanatic. It looks good; all that black and gold, and a piping, grill and control panel that should look reassuring to any player. 

The finish is high quality and there is a leather removable carrying strap for porting it about (at 5.2 kg, it is very portable). There are channels to choose from – including bass and acoustic. The controls are familiar enough, with three-band EQ, gain, master and output. 

With their own controls, you can quickly dial an organic blend of effects in and out to your taste. Modulation, delay and reverb controls each have their own knobs. This amp is ready to rock-and-roll as soon as you plug in. No need for the app, or a manual. 

It is nice to get a taste of what’s on offer without too much searching. The Spark's tone recipe is additive – we were having too much fun playing to go experimenting at first.

This is the little amp that could, and did, offering 40 watts through a stereo speaker setup, and making its respectable wattage count for a lot. Play it at house-friendly volumes or through headphones, but if the mood takes you, this amp can really sound expansive and loud, with modelling tech that offers valve-like dynamics in a digital practice amp format.

When you couple it with the Spark app, all new possibilities are presented. In terms of tone, you have 30 different amps, five compressor pedal models, nine overdrives, 10 modulation pedals, six delays and nine reverbs to play with. 

You can design your own signal chain then save those choices into one of seven amp voices across the four preset banks. It might take a while; not because it’s difficult, but it is easy to get carried away with so many tonal possibilities.

As well as offering control over your tone, the Spark app offers two key and potentially game-changing features; Smart Jam and Auto Chords. You can stream a range of backing tracks from YouTube inside the app, but Smart Jam uses your smartphone or tablet's mic to generate a backing track based on what you’re playing.

Smart Jam is great but we see Auto Chords as a much bigger deal. This listens to a song of your choosing within the app, and if it doesn’t already have the chords for it on its database, it will analyse the song and transpose the chords for you to play along. 

It is very accurate, only occasionally missing chords, and it only takes minutes. This opens up the Spark as a great learning tool, and it will make learning fun. Does it make you want to play? Yes, a lot.

The hype is real. The Spark is an incredible practice and recording amp, and it is very competitively priced. To be honest, we’d recommend the Spark at this price if that’s all it delivered, but once you factor in those smart features, each encouraging solo players to learn songs and stay inspired, there is no doubt that the Spark is a guaranteed home run.

The Spark is available direct from Positive Grid.

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Specs

• PRICE: $299
• TYPE: Digital modelling combo for guitar, bass and acoustic with BIAS Tone Engine and app integration for jamming
• OUTPUT: 40 watts
• SPEAKERS: 2x4” Custom Designed
• TOP CONTROLS: Amp Type, Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Master, Mod, Delay, Reverb, Output Volume, Music Volume, four programmable Preset buttons, Tap/Tuner button
• ONBOARD EFFECTS: 30 Amp Models, 40 Effects
• SOCKETS: 1/4” guitar input, 1/8” aux input, 1/8” headphone, Bluetooth audio, USB connectivity for recording 2 In x 2 Out
• DIMENSIONS: 350mm [w] x 180mm [w] x 190mm [d]
• WEIGHT: 5.2 kg / 11.5 lbs
• CONTACT: Positive Grid

The Positive Grid Spark 40 has changed the game for the guitar amplifier, and there is no going back. It has changed the game with its features, offering the first truly smart amp, and by sheer force of numbers – with more than 100,000 guitar players worldwide making the Spark the crucial component in their at-home rig. 

What's more, Spark users find themselves playing more than ever, and deriving more joy from their guitar practice, too.

Those sales figures are crazy numbers, and they have put the Positive Grid team in a pretty good mood – so good, that they are offering a 10 per cent discount on the Spark 40 until September 21st, 2020. Available exclusively via Positive Grid, the Spark 40 retails at $299, and… Well, it might just change your life.

How so? Well, you could read our five-star review here, or you could ask any one of the 8000 guitarists who have joined the Spark Amp Owners Club on Facebook. That’s where Spark users share tone tips and gear epiphanies, and dig deeper into some of the amplifier's capabilities. 

Players like Tom F, whose Spark has replaced the need for pedals, and has made his envious glances at other players' setups a thing of the past.

“The Spark does everything I need and more,” says Tom. “I don’t have lots of amps and pedals and this is a great way to explore sounds without having to break the bank.”

As Tom sees it, Spark is not so much an amplifier – it's “a little box of tricks.” He is not wrong – what lies under the hood is magic, just not in the conventional sense...

Spark is a 40-watt Class D amplifier with a pair of 4-inch custom designed speakers. It uses Positive Grid’s BIAS amp modeling technology to offer a choice of 30 amp models and 40 onboard effects. 

It has Bluetooth connectivity, a USB out, and when you connect via the bundled Spark App on your mobile device, you can use some very cool next-gen features such as Smart Jam and Auto Chord technology.

Guitar players are choosing Spark because it addresses their needs, and not just those of tone. Take the Smart Jam feature, which allows you to stream backing tracks from the Spark App. 

Say you want something bespoke, and you’ve gamed out a cool chord progression, Smart Jam will generate a custom backing track then stream it from your mobile device to the amp so you can play along. 

There is nothing that will improve your timing and get your chops up quicker than playing with an accompaniment, and if you can't get in a room with your bandmates, Spark offers the next best thing. Also, unlike your drummer, it will never get tired.

Then you have its Auto Chord technology, a smart feature that is just plain showing off. Simply stream one of your favorite tracks to the amp and Auto Chord will transpose the chords so you can play along. 

The app has an extensive library of songs to expedite the process, but if your track isn’t there, it’ll take a moment, work out the chords and off you go.

The Spark App is a trove of valuable resources, with a library of over 10,000 guitar and bass amps, and effects presets to download. With a USB output, it is ideal for home recording.

It's no surprise to learn that the pros are getting in on the act, too. Doc Coyle of Bad Wolves has a drummer who is excellent, but even he admits the Smart Jam feature makes Spark "a game-changer when it comes to practice amps."

"I was completely stunned when I heard the quality of the tones," he says, "The ease of use when trying different amps and effects by integrating the Spark with my smartphone, and the ability to use backing tracks as a practice tool puts it over top as the best product of its kind on the market." 

All these features might sound intimidating but fear not, the Spark looks and feels just like a guitar amplifier, rocking a desktop amp profile that’s finished in black textured vinyl and a black-and-brown grille cloth. It has a removable leather handle so you can easily carry it from room to room. And it only weighs 11.46lbs. 

Crucially, the control panel is reassuringly simple. You don’t need a degree in electrical engineering to work out what’s going on. 

A rotary dial allows you to select from seven amp types – Metal, Hi-Gain, Crunch, Glassy, Clean, Bass, and Acoustic. That’s right, Bass and Acoustic – it’s not just for electric guitar. There are controls for gain and master volume, a 3-band EQ, modulation, delay, reverb and output. A smaller knob on the top controls the volume of external audio, and there is a tap tempo feature for the delay and a tuner.

Tone-wise, Spark has no right to sound as deep and wide as it does, but there you go. Spark will cover all styles, and you can save your favorite tones down as presets. No wonder it’s the choice of over 100,000 players worldwide.

The question is: when will you be joining them?

The Positive Grid Spark 40 is compact, portable, packed with features, and no matter what level you are at, it’s a game-changer. Find your Spark here.

For more information, visit:

Positive Grid:
POSITIVEGRID.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK  

Bad Cat Amplifiers has launched The Paw, an altogether boutique-vibed take on the increasingly popular desktop amp format.

The Paw combines an all-tube preamp - one EF86 and two 12AX7s, based on the company’s Cub combo - with a 60W Class D power amp, yielding American-voiced clean and grit.

A pair of six-inch speakers are onboard, but The Paw can also drive up to two external speakers, as well as offering a pair of direct outputs and two FX loops.

Speaking of, the amp offers the ability to load and save impulse responses, with 16 in-built, and a USB input to connect to your Mac or PC.

The Paw also boasts Bad Cat’s trademark K-Master control, which provides full output whether the preamp is driven or not, affording a wider dynamic range than you might expect.

This is a genuinely exciting development in compact amps - the ability to use this at home and at a gig makes it a unique proposition in the desktop arena.

The Paw is available to preorder for $799. For more info, head over to Bad Cat Amps.

The emergence of pedalboard-based amps isn’t just significant for portability, it’s also a huge development for accessibility. 

If you’ve lusted after a company’s valve-driven heads in the past but have been priced out, or can’t justify the outlay to try an extra amp to add to your arsenal, these things are very good news. 

A prime example is how Victory’s range of preamp pedals brought the tones of three of its most popular £1,000 heads to your feet for £349. Now, Orange are combining a preamp and power amp in an even smaller package. Surely something’s got to give?

Orange were at the forefront of the lunchbox heads movement that’s still going strong, eventually sizing down to Micro Terror and Micro Dark that this is the logical next step from. Small stompbox-sized and weighing under a pound, the Terror Stamp pedal amp is titchy. The company claim it combines the Micro Terror and Dark – a potent combination if it can pull it off .

Orange deliver the all-analogue design by combining valve and solid state elements; an ECC83 (12AX7) valve preamp with a 20W Class A/B solid-state power amp.

The layout is simple, especially so compared to the likes of Blug and Victory, with a switchable master volume offering an instant boost for your leads, alongside a shape control that is key to shaping your tone and the all-important gain. No bass, middle or treble here. The streamlining is actually liberating.

It may be small, but the Terror Stamp is LOUD. People are going to be surprised by how loud it is. It also becomes apparent this sounds like an Orange amp – articulate, full... Did we mention loud?

On its own, the Terror Stamp is versatile and based in the Micro Terror’s territory; from rolling back to a light chimey gain to Orange mid spank and poke and fuller bore fuzz-tinged heavy rock.

It’s gain range plays very well as a pedal platform; namely the overdrives we tried out with it (such as the Korg OD-S) that enable more gain voices for your palate, and you’ll need one to get it into those scoopy metal chug realms. And while the stamp is loud with gain, dialling back to crystal clean might see you struggle in a band mix.

It feels like Cliff Cooper’s company have packed a lot into the little Stamp – great Orange tones at a great price and all at your feet. 

Some players may not appreciate Orange’s aversion to three-band EQ controls, but the shape control is very sensitive and versatile, and you can further tweak by aligning the Terror Stamp with other pedals.

Whether it’s your backup amp, introduction to Orange, portable rig or a power amp for a modeller, this is one of the best gear buys of the year.

Specs

• PRICE: $199 / £149
• TYPE: Class A/B pedal amp
• OUTPUT: 20 watts
• CONTROLS: Volume 1, Volume 2, Shape, Gain
• SOCKETS: 1/4” guitar input, buffered effects loop, cab sim output, speaker output (8/16 ohms)
• POWER: DC15V power brick
• DIMENSIONS: 130mm [w] X 41mm [h] X 95mm [d]
• WEIGHT: 0.8lbs
• CONTACT: Orange Amps

The entire world has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. People from all walks of life are seeing their lives change and their incomes slashed. Among the hardest hit financially are musicians, who rely almost entirely on income accrued from touring and playing to live audiences. These musicians need our help to make it through this tough period.

On the flip side, the time at home in lockdown has allowed us all to exercise our creativity, and for some us, purchase new gear. If you're someone who's in the market for a new practice amp, why not go for the Positive Grid Spark - which MusicRadar called the "Best Amp of the Show" at NAMM 2020 (a coveted title considering the hundreds of new amps unveiled every year)?

The guitar tech company has promised to donate to the Sweet Relief COVID-19 Fund for every Spark sold, so you'd land yourself an incredible sounding amp - with intuitive built-in practice features and onboard EQ, effects and a tuner - and you'd be helping impacted musicians at no extra cost. 

The amp even includes a voice-activated app, through which you can explore and download over 10,000 guitar and bass amp-and-FX presets via Positive Grid's ever-expanding ToneCloud.

The same promise goes for every unit of BIAS software sold - including industry standard modeling amp suites BIAS FX 2 and BIAS Amp 2. Hyper-realistic amp emulations and simplistic DAW integration make these the go-to for those looking to take their amp tone inside the box.

The compact guitar amplifier market has become very interesting in recent years with the rapid proliferation of small lunch box heads and versatile desktop combos. While One Control’s new BJF-S66 certainly also qualifies as a compact amp, it’s quite different than a lunch box amp (which often has somewhat low output power and limited controls) and a desktop amp (which is usually a do-it-all product with a variety of tones and effects geared more for home and studio applications). 

Instead, the BJFS66’s 'genuine big amp in a micro-sized package' design places it in a class by itself. Small enough to fit into a gig bag or carry-on luggage and powerful and versatile enough to gig with, the BJF-S66 is perfect for guitarists seeking the ultimate in portability without making any compromises.

• The best guitar amps: tube, solid state and modeling amps

Features

According to One Control, designer Björn Juhl’s main inspiration for the BJF-S66 was the tone of Sixties blackface amps, known for their stellar clean and crunchy overdrive tones, pristine reverb and trippy tremolo effects. The BJF is no mere clone, however, providing individual rhythm and lead channels each with separate reverb, decay and level controls for truly independent reverb effects, a lead channel boost control, an effects loop and a ¼-inch preamp output. 

There is also a compact three-switch footswitch controller (sold separately or included as an amp/footswitch bundle) for engaging channel switching, tremolo on/off and FX loop on/off functions, or users can connect separate individual footswitches to the channel, tremolo and FX loop jacks. 

The lead and rhythm channels share the same set of treble, bass and mid EQ controls as well as a gain knob, but each channel has its own master volume control. Like a classic blackface combo, the amp also features a bright switch, while the tremolo effect provides depth and speed controls.

The BJF-S66 combines a discrete solid-state preamp with an all-analog signal path and an extremely efficient Class D power amp design. Output power depends on the ohm rating of the connected speaker cabinet, delivering a maximum output of 100 watts with a 4-ohm cabinet and a minimum of 30 watts with a 16-ohm cabinet.

Performance

Tube purists may balk at the BJF-S66’s solid-state design, but anyone with good ears and an open mind will discover that this amp sounds uncannily like a blackface amp and much more. As one might expect for a solid-state amp, the clean headroom is impressive, but the overdrive tones also deliver harmonically rich crunch, expressive touch-sensitive dynamics and impressive body and definition. 

The BJFS66’s EQ controls provide a wider range of tonal colors than a blackface amp, with peak frequencies at 70Hz (bass), 450Hz (mid) and 2kHz (treble) while the bright switch boosts 4kHz by 10dB. As a result, the amp can deliver bigger bass, fatter mids and more sparkling treble without flab, mud or shrillness.

The BJF-S66 provides a moderate amount of overdrive crunch that’s ideal for classic/roots rock, blues and country. Pedals are essential for guitarists who need heavier distortion or prefer compressed high-gain lead tones, but fortunately the amp is the perfect platform for a pedal-based rig. 

I got some of the best tones I’ve ever heard from my B.K. Butler Tube Driver and MXR Super Badass Distortion pedals, with an extra layer of clarity I’ve never gotten from a tube amp. The BJF-S66’s built-in reverb and tremolo effects are also first class, so it can save some space on your pedalboard that would be taken up by those effects.

Other than its incredibly small size and light weight, the BJF-S66 is truly a big amp with pro features. For maximum volume output you’ll want to use a 4-ohm 4x12 cabinet, but I found a 16-ohm 1x12 more than loud enough for a club gig.

STREET PRICE: $599 ($699 bundle w/footswitch); footswitch (separately), $119
MANUFACTURER: One Control, one-control.com

• Individual rhythm and lead channels provide a wide variety of classic blackface amp tones, from sparkling clean to rich, raunchy overdrive.

• Each channel has individual reverb, decay and level controls to provide truly independent reverb effects.

• THE BOTTOM LINE: Offering the ultimate small amp portability along with big amp tone, volume output and features, the One Control BJF-S66 is the perfect solution for guitarists looking to minimize their performance rigs to the smallest size.

NAMM 2020: Positive Grid recently unveiled the Spark, a smart amplifier and app combo which offers guitarists a truly interactive play-along experience.

The Spark includes an Auto Chord feature that allows guitar players to stream music from major streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music, while the app displays the chords in real-time to play along to.

With a wide range of features including Smart Jam that maps out your style to create its own rhythm section for you to play with, this amp is sure to be one of the most effective practicing tools out there right now.

We chat with Roy from Positive Grid about the Spark, and manage to catch the amp in action!

For more information about the Spark, head to Positive Grid.