Positive Grid Spark review

With features such as Smart Jam and Auto Chord, is this the future of desktop amplification?

Positive Grid Spark 40 review
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

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.

Pros

  • +

    Modeling technology keeps the tube amp tones convincing.

  • +

    It makes a great practice tool.

  • +

    Excellent value.

  • +

    Intuitive layout.

  • +

    Sound is huge, the form compact.

Cons

  • -

    None.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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.

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Rob Laing

Rob is the Guitars Editor for MusicRadar, handling news, reviews, features, tuition, advice for the strings side of the site and everything in between. Before MusicRadar, he worked on guitar magazines for 15 years, including as Editor of Total Guitar. He's currently set aside any pipe dreams of getting anywhere with his own songs and is enjoying playing covers in function bands.