Anyone use a spark amp with acoustic guitars?

[musical123]

If so, please provide your thoughts.


Regards

[Vognell]

I tried.... but for some reason even using the acoustic presets, it sounds kind of "grainy". I love it for my electrics though.

I wound up buying a Fishman Loudbox Mini. Much better experience with that.

[fpuhan]

I purchased a Spark MINI since I liked the idea of having a small practice amp on my living room table! I think it punches above its weight, and am considering buying the 40!

I also have the XVive wireless system, so I don't have cables snaking all over.

What I like about the MINI is that OOB it has three different built-in settings (rhythm, lead, solo) and a custom setting that is adjusted using the free Spark app (available for tablet and phone).

It works for electric and acoustic, which surprised me, as most amps not made specifically for acoustic instruments tend to sound muddy or extremely distorted. The Spark can do this, too. But it doesn't take much twiddling to get a nice clean sound (honestly, I like a little added reverb). All in all, I'm quite happy with it.

[KevinH]

I've had a Spark 40 for several months now and really like it. It was pretty easy to find good settings for the guitars I use it with. It's sound easily fills the room I have it in. I use it with a Getaria wireless system, which works great.

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[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by musical123

If so, please provide your thoughts.


Regards

Hi m123-etc
I played my Olson with my K&K Pure Mini and my ToneDexter through a Spark, and it sounded shrill (or tinny) and it was more than I could put up with long term. I like something that puts out a smooth and full sound, and that represents the trebles as sweet tone, not edgy.

I have used a number of acoustic amps over the yrs and the amps with 8" two way setups sound best. I don't like the 6" or 4" speaker cabs, and the 10" are not very pleasant with acoustic.

The best two sizes are 8" two way and 12" two way. More like the balance of of an acoustic guitar itself.

[rmp]

I've had a spark 40 for about two weeks now

While it does have 4 separate presets aimed at acoustic players, they all fall a bit short if you compare them to a bonified acoustic amp

It will "work", sure but if you have the expectation that it will sound like an acoustic amp, I'm here to say, it really wont

For electrics though, yea I love what it can do.

[Vognell]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I've had a Spark 40 for several months now and really like it. It was pretty easy to find good settings for the guitars I use it with. It's sound easily fills the room I have it in. I use it with a Getaria wireless system, which works great.

Attachment 86206

I like your amp stand. Looks like a pretty easy build. I might have to try making one,.

[Vognell]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I've had a Spark 40 for several months now and really like it. It was pretty easy to find good settings for the guitars I use it with. It's sound easily fills the room I have it in. I use it with a Getaria wireless system, which works great.

Attachment 86206

I like your amp stand. Looks like a pretty easy build. I might have to try making one.

[jwwvabeach]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I've had a Spark 40 for several months now and really like it. It was pretty easy to find good settings for the guitars I use it with. It's sound easily fills the room I have it in. I use it with a Getaria wireless system, which works great.

Attachment 86206

Love the stand you set it on, mind if I ask what that is that was repurposed?

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by Vognell

I like your amp stand. Looks like a pretty easy build. I might have to try making one.

Originally Posted by jwwvabeach

Love the stand you set it on, mind if I ask what that is that was repurposed?

Thanks. I made it from some sapele I had in my shop.

[jonfields45]

I've got a Spark Mini on order from MF. I should have it in a few days and will report back. It is purported to be highly programmable. The factory default knob selected programs are all inappropriate for acoustic guitar (to my ear as heard on YouTube).

Several reviewers say it is a very good Bluetooth speaker for music listening, which bodes well for acoustic guitar amplification.

[JBCROTTY]

Bought the mini last week and tried it out yesterday. Great little amp - the best part is the app that allows you to build tones out of hundreds of virtual pedals or search and download and save tones from other users that approximate the tone of you favorite artists or bands. I can switch between Metallica and Soundgarden tones as I play through a song list. The app is fantastic.

Both my acoustic and electric guitars sound good through the amp, but the featue set is obviously better for electric. I have to play around with the acoustic options a bit more.

I am primarily an acoustic player - I have a Epiphone Les Paul that I bought used just to noodle around on. I have little or no experience with amplification - amps, pedals, etc. The Spark gives me the ability to experiment without heavy trial and error expenses (pedals, boards, different amps, etc) and the result is fun. The bluetooth function allows you to play your music through the amp while playing, and the app has many song options built in that analyze and display chords while a song is playing. Not sure how accurate that funtion is - haven't spent a ton of time with that feature.

If you are looking for an easy, flexible, feature-rich amplification option that is easy to setup, fun to use, and takes up little to no space, I'd highly recommend it.