The Spark Amp | What's it really like?

Summary

In this video, the reviewer shares their experience with the B stock Spark 40 modeling app, which they purchased for over $230. They discuss its solid build, impressive bass response, and the ability to save four custom presets. Despite the amp's loudness and high-quality sound, they find the bass to be excessive and lacking tightness. The Spark's app offers a vast library of tones, including famous song presets, which can be easily accessed and customized. The reviewer appreciates the app's simplicity and its potential for beginners, but they remain unsure if it suits their personal preferences. They plan to test it further, acknowledging its potential for firmware updates and improvements.

Takeaways

• 🎸 The user purchased a B stock Spark 40 modeling amp for over $230 to explore its features and answer questions they had.
• 🔍 First impressions were positive, with the amp feeling solid and having quality knobs.
• 🎶 The amp's sound was unexpectedly bass-heavy, which was the user's first complaint, as the bass control didn't seem to help much.
• 📢 It's loud enough for practice but might not be suitable for gigs without additional amplification.
• 🎚 The amp has a good high-end response and a mid-range that can be mastered with volume control.
• 💾 Users can save four favorite presets for easy recall, a feature appreciated by the user.
• 🎵 The user recorded examples using a microphone in front of the amp to capture the amp's sound directly.
• 📱 The Spark 40 app allows for easy sound customization and access to over 10,000 tones uploaded by other users, which the user found useful.
• 🌐 The app connects to a cloud where users can share tones, including those from famous songs, making it easy to replicate desired sounds.
• 🎵 The amp's clean tones are very clean and chimey, but the user wished for more breakup with added gain.
• 🔧 The user prefers dialing in sounds manually but found the app simple and well-organized, despite not being a big fan of apps for sound design.

Q & A

What is the speaker's initial opinion on the B stock Spark 40 modeling app?

The speaker initially had a positive first impression, noting that it looks good, has the right weight, and the knobs are of good quality.

How much did the speaker spend on the B stock Spark 40 modeling app?

The speaker spent just over 230 dollars on the B stock Spark 40 modeling app.

What was the speaker's concern regarding the bass response of the amp?

The speaker was concerned that due to its small size, the amp might lack bass response, but found that it actually has plenty of deep and low bass.

What issue did the speaker have with the bass control on the amp?

The speaker found the bass to be a little too bassy and not tight enough on the low end, and the bass control did not help to resolve this issue.

How does the speaker describe the volume of the amp?

The speaker mentions that the amp is plenty loud enough for practicing but may not be loud enough for gigging.

What features of the amp does the speaker appreciate for its high-end sound?

The speaker appreciates the high-end sound when the treble and mid-range are cranked, and the ability to master volume, which acts like a digital attenuator.

What is the speaker's opinion on the clean tones produced by the amp?

The speaker likes the clean tones, describing them as really good, chimey, and not sounding digital.

How does the speaker feel about the app's ability to instantly provide song tones?

The speaker finds the app's ability to provide instant song tones useful, especially for those who require quick results and are learning famous songs.

What additional features does the speaker mention about the app?

The speaker mentions that the app allows users to save tones, connect to a cloud for user-uploaded tones, and includes a backing track feature.

What is the speaker's overall verdict on the B stock Spark 40 modeling app?

The speaker is undecided about whether the amp is for them, but acknowledges that it made them play the guitar more, especially with high-gain tones.

What potential improvements does the speaker suggest for the amp?

The speaker suggests that firmware updates in the future might help improve the bass control and overall sound quality.

Outlines

00:00

🎸 Unboxing and Review of the B Stock Spark 40 Modeling App

The reviewer recounts their initial hesitation but eventually decided to purchase the B Stock Spark 40 modeling app for over $230 to understand its popularity. They share their first impressions, noting the amp's solid feel, quality knobs, and impressive bass response despite its small size. However, they express a concern that the bass is too dominant and lacks tightness, with the bass control not being very helpful. The amp's volume is praised as being sufficient for practice but possibly inadequate for live performances. The reviewer appreciates the high-end sound and the ability to save and recall four favorite presets. They plan to demonstrate the amp's sound using a microphone recording and mention the amp's digital attenuator-like feature for lower volume use. The review also touches on the amp's connectivity to a cloud service where users can share tones, including those from famous songs, and the ease of using the app for instant sound customization.

05:45

🎵 Benefits for Beginners and Guitar Enthusiasts

The reviewer discusses the benefits of the Spark 40 modeling app for beginners and guitar enthusiasts, emphasizing how the right sound can encourage more frequent practice. They mention the app's ability to provide instant tones from famous guitarists like Slash and James Hetfield, which can enhance the playing experience. The backing track feature, which creates a track based on the chords played, is highlighted as a fun and useful tool. The reviewer acknowledges the amp's room-filling sound, attributed to its unique reverb effect, and its additional effects and USB connectivity for use as an audio interface. They also note the amp's Bluetooth speaker capability. While the reviewer is unsure if the amp is a perfect fit for them, they admit it has motivated them to play more, especially with high-gain settings. They express optimism about the amp's potential with future firmware updates.

Keywords

💡B Stock Spark 40

The 'B Stock Spark 40' refers to a specific model of guitar amplifier, which is the central focus of the video. The term 'B Stock' typically indicates that the item is not brand new, possibly refurbished or returned, but is still functional and of good quality. In the script, the reviewer purchased this model for just over $230, highlighting its cost-effectiveness. The video discusses its features, sound quality, and overall performance, making it a key concept for understanding the reviewer's experience and opinions.

💡Amp

An 'amp' in the context of the video is short for 'amplifier,' a device used by guitarists to increase the volume and modify the tone of their electric guitars. The reviewer describes the amp's physical qualities, such as its weight and the feel of its knobs, which contribute to the perception of its solid construction. The amp's performance, including its bass response and volume capabilities, is a significant part of the review, as it directly affects the user experience and satisfaction.

💡Bass Response

The 'bass response' refers to the low-frequency sound output of the amplifier. In the script, the reviewer notes that despite the amp's small size, it delivers a surprising amount of bass. However, they also mention that the bass is 'a little bit too bassy' and lacks tightness, indicating that the amp's low-end sound could be improved. This term is crucial for understanding the reviewer's critique of the amp's audio performance.

💡Firmware Update

A 'firmware update' is a software upgrade that can improve or modify the functionality of a device. The reviewer suggests that a firmware update might help address the amp's bass response issue, indicating that the device's performance could potentially be enhanced through software improvements. This concept is relevant to the video's theme as it highlights the possibility of future improvements to the product.

💡Presets

In the context of the video, 'presets' refer to pre-configured settings on the amp that can be quickly selected to achieve specific tones. The reviewer mentions that the amp allows users to save up to four favorite presets, which can be easily recalled using preset buttons. This feature is important for guitarists who want to quickly switch between different tones during practice or performance.

💡App

The 'app' mentioned in the script is a mobile application designed to work with the Spark 40 amp. It allows users to easily dial in tones, including those from famous songs, and connect to a cloud where other users can share their tones. The app is a key part of the Spark 40 ecosystem, as it provides a convenient way for users to access and customize tones, which is a central theme in the reviewer's discussion of the product's ease of use and versatility.

💡Tone

A 'tone' in the context of guitar playing refers to the unique sound produced by an instrument, which can be influenced by the amp, effects, and playing technique. The reviewer discusses the amp's clean and distorted tones, noting that while the clean tones are very clean, they wish for more break-up when adding gain. The term 'tone' is central to the video's theme as it relates to the overall sound quality and the user's satisfaction with the amp.

💡Compression

In audio terms, 'compression' refers to the reduction of the dynamic range of an audio signal, which can help to even out the volume levels. The reviewer mentions 'instant and amazing compression' as one of the features available through the app, suggesting that the amp and app combination can provide professional-sounding effects that are easy to access and use.

💡Effects

Effects in the context of the video refer to the various audio modifications that can be applied to a guitar signal, such as reverb, delay, and distortion. The reviewer praises the amp's reverb effect, describing it as 'almost a 3D reverb sound,' which contributes to the unique and immersive sound experience. The term 'effects' is integral to the video's discussion of the amp's capabilities and the range of sounds it can produce.

💡USB Interface

A 'USB interface' allows a device to connect to a computer via a USB cable, facilitating data transfer or use as an audio input/output device. The reviewer notes that the amp can be connected to a computer via USB, which enables it to be used as an audio interface. This feature is significant as it expands the amp's functionality beyond just a standalone device, making it a more versatile tool for guitarists.

💡Bluetooth Speaker

The term 'Bluetooth speaker' refers to the ability of the amp to connect wirelessly to other devices for audio playback. The reviewer mentions this feature, indicating that the amp is not only a guitar amplifier but also a multifunctional device that can be used for playing music from a smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This feature adds to the amp's appeal for users looking for versatility in their audio equipment.

Highlights

The reviewer initially ordered a B stock Spark 40 modeling app but changed their mind, then reconsidered to understand the hype.

The cost of the Spark 40 modeling app was just over 230 dollars.

First impressions of the Spark 40 were positive, with a solid feel and quality knobs.

The amp has a surprising amount of bass response for its size.

The bass is criticized for being too loose and not tight enough.

The bass control on the amp does not seem to help with the loose bass issue.

The reviewer suggests a possible firmware update might improve the bass response.

The amp is loud enough for practice but possibly not for gigging.

The high end is praised when the treble is cranked up.

The amp features a digital attenuator-like function for mastering volume at lower levels.

Users can save and recall four favorite presets using the amp's preset buttons.

The reviewer will demonstrate tones using a microphone in front of the amp.

The clean tones are described as chimey and clean, with a slight break-up when gain is added.

The reviewer wishes the clean tones would break up more.

The app allows for instant access to tones and the ability to save them locally for recall.

The app has a library of over 10,000 tones, growing daily, and includes tones from famous songs.

The app is simple to use and has a user-friendly layout.

The backing track feature creates a track based on the chords played by the user.

The amp's reverb effect is described as room-filling and almost 3D.

The amp can be used as an audio interface via USB and as a Bluetooth speaker.

The reviewer is unsure if the amp is for them but acknowledges it made them play more, especially with high gain tones.

The amp's potential for improvement through firmware updates is mentioned.

Transcripts

i did originally order one of these but then  i changed my mind then recently i thought  

okay i'll get one in order to see what  all the fuss is about and answer some  

questions that i couldn't find answers to  so this is my b stock spark 40 modeling app  

cost me just over 230 dollars here's  the good and the bad for what it's worth

i know youtube doesn't need another spark review  but i thought i'd throw my two cents in because  

i've got the amp and i've got a youtube channel  so why not first impressions are good though it  

looks good it's got the right weight to it making  it feel like a solid amp and the knobs are quality  

and they feel good and it does pack a punch one  question i couldn't find the answer to though was  

how do the speakers really sound it's a small amp  so you would imagine that there's going to be no  

bass response right well there is and there's  plenty of it it's deep and low and that's where  

my first gripe comes in it is a little bit too  bassy and not really tight enough on the low end  

and the bass control doesn't help either maybe  a firmware update in the future will help though  

now the amp is plenty loud enough practicing  very loud maybe not loud enough to gig with  

but the volume is certainly there nice high end as  well when you crank the treble and mid-range and  

you're going to master volume as well so you can  still use the game presets and get a good sound  

at lower volumes sort of like a digital attenuator  if you like you can also save four of your  

favorite presets into the amp and recall them  at any time just using the preset buttons  

now the examples i'll play will be recorded using  a mic in front of the amp rather than directing  

there are plenty of videos demonstrating that and  i'll play a couple of tones direct in though just  

in case you haven't watched any other videos on  it does seem incredibly unlikely though i really  

wanted to try and capture what i hear from the amp  itself so let's try some of the famous song tones

the clean sounds are really good nice and chimey  and when you add a little bit of gain the clean  

tone will break up a little now i wish it would  break up a bit more to be honest as the cleans are  

really really clean they don't sound digital  either but they do have a nice tone to them  

and that's where the app comes in and i  do understand that people require instant  

results these days it's not like having  a tube amp and some pedals and dialing it  

all in to get the right sound or at least the  sound that you love and the app also connects  

to a cloud where other spark users can upload  their tones including tones from famous songs  

so it's so easy to dial in the song that you're  learning and get that sound instantly i totally  

get it you can demo the tone as well by clicking  on it playing guitar so make sure that you like  

it and then afterwards save it locally to your  phone or ipad for instant recall and i think  

there are just over 10 000 tones at  the moment but it is growing daily

now imagine having instant and amazing compression  an instant overdrive or high gain tone with noise  

gates reverbs delays etc etc right there on your  phone or ipad having said that i'm not always one  

for messing about on my phone to get sounds i  do prefer dialing everything in using pedals  

and the amp settings and i'm not a  big app fan to be honest but this one  

it is simple to use it's laid out really  nicely i spotted some good tones on the app  

from tyler larson from music is win  and also a few from steve stein as well

i think it's for guitar players who just need  something quick and easy to practice with great  

for beginners as well as the right sound will  make you play your favorite songs and pick up the  

guitar more imagine instant slash james hetfield  john mayer srv rhcp and so on and that's a good  

thing anything that makes you pick up the guitar  and play is always a good thing and when you get  

the right tone it's pretty much on you will need  to tweak the volume on some of them though as they  

can be a bit loud and of course you can tweak all  the parameters of the amps and pedals etc couple  

that with the backing track feature where the  amp will listen to you playing chords and create  

a backing track to play over and as i said for a  certain type of guitar player it's an instant win  

now it's a lot of fun to play with and it's pretty  simple to use and a pretty decent sound i've heard  

people say that it's a room filling sound and  it really is and it all stems from the reverb  

it's almost a 3d reverb sound very unique but  difficult to hear on this video unfortunately  

but it does make you turn your head to see where  that sounds coming from it's pretty amazing and  

it also has plenty of other effects and of course  the link to your computer thrown in via usb that  

allows it to be used as an audio interface and it  has the ability to be used as a bluetooth speaker  

it really does seem to have it all it will suit  a beginner or someone who just wants to have fun  

playing the guitar just not sure it's for me yet  though but having said that it did make me pick  

up my guitar and play more especially the high  gain stuff it aids control when using really  

distorted tones maybe i'll give it a few months  and see if i still use it and of course being  

the latest thing i'm sure there will be firmware  updates to improve it as it progresses so cheers