February 06, 2024

I've got a confession to make – I'm a certified Positive Grid junkie. Since the debut of the original Spark 40-Watt practice amp, I've been hooked. The freedom to plug into an amp anytime, anywhere, and access a plethora of amps and effects without lugging around a pedalboard felt as if it was a gift descended directly from the guitar gods. And like reliving my youth collecting pocket monsters through cards and games, with Spark series amps, I had to catch 'em all. The OG Spark, Spark MINI, Spark GO and even Spark Control…they all have a special place in my gear collection. As one of the half-million Spark users worldwide, I know I’m not the only touring guitarist with roots in big amps, huge stacks, and even bigger pedalboards. To me, Spark series amps were fantastic for home practice, impromptu hotel jam sessions and last-minute warming up, but taking one on stage? Not a thought that crossed my mind – until Spark CAB entered the scene. That’s me testing Spark MINI in a park! Now, let me clarify something upfront. I've been part of the Positive Grid family for over three years now, trying my hardest to keep my cool around the office whenever something new is getting made. However, this isn't a Spark CAB review; it's the story of how it became a permanent fixture in my stage setup. If you've been pondering questions like, "Is Spark CAB loud enough?" or "How does Spark CAB sound on stage?" or "How do I incorporate Spark CAB into my existing setup?" This article is for you. My Guitar Setup Let's kick things off by revisiting my old setup. I'm no gearhead by any means, and my tone is super straightforward. Playing in a punk rock band, anything beyond an overdrive or delay is overkill for me. I mean, my guitar of choice is a Les Paul Junior (because who needs more than a P90, am I right?) In the office, I’m known as “the guy with one tone.” Two decades ago, my go-to setup was a JCM800 head, any available cab, and a modest pedalboard. If there wasn’t a cab I could plug into, I’d probably lug around an AC30 or Twin Reverb. It wasn't until my stint at Positive Grid that I discovered the wonderful world of amp sims, realizing my gear could shed about 50lbs. The Wonderful World of Amp Sims Loading up my favorite JCM800 simulator onto my pedalboard with an amp sim pedal, I had a live setup I could carry in one hand. But, as typical with digital amp sims, there was no physical amp behind me. And for those who aren’t familiar with this type of setup – amp sims basically do away with on-stage amplifiers, and they plug directly into the console or house PA system. And this is where my problem started. The absence of the familiar vibration and total silence behind me made me realize I needed to not only sound good but feel good too. And yes, even with my guitar coming through the floor monitors in front of me, it still didn’t feel the same. Connecting to Spark CAB for live shows is incredibly easy. In my quest to resurrect the missing vibration, oddly enough, Spark CAB never crossed my mind. It's not that I doubted its capabilities; rather, I had this notion that pairing a Spark series amp with a Spark CAB was almost a prerequisite. It had never dawned on me that I could just as seamlessly integrate Spark CAB into my existing pedalboard setup. After all, Spark CAB is a fully powered FRFR speaker. Anyway, the answer was upstairs all along and the hardware team graced me with a Spark CAB to try out. So, at the next gig in a small venue, I took the plunge, connecting my pedalboard directly into Spark CAB, dialing the volume to about 8, and just like that—the vibration was back. In the snapshot above, you'll notice that Spark CAB wasn't placed directly behind me due to the cramped stage space. Initially, I figured I was in for my first hiccup, given our drummer's talent for hitting hard. I was concerned whether Spark CAB could hold its own against his mindless hitting, I mean, playing. Turns out that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Spark CAB cut through effortlessly – giving that giant Orange cab behind it a run for its money. And instead of the usual mic setup, our sound guy opted for the direct out on the back of Spark CAB, feeding it straight into the house PA. This gave him more control upfront. I Play a Whole Show With Spark CAB Needless to say, our half hour of power went off without a hitch. The audience seemed happy, but more importantly, I was happy with what I heard on stage thanks to Spark CAB. And it was after our show that I had a revelation about Spark CAB – it's not just tailored for Spark amp owners; it's as much for true guitar enthusiasts and players seeking an alternative gigging setup. While it does wonders for adding some extra 'umph' to my 5W Spark GO, it goes far beyond that. Delve a little deeper, and you'll uncover all the thoughtful features the hardware team at Positive Grid packed into Spark CAB. They could have just added a 1/8" input for Spark amps and called it a day. But no, they went the extra mile, incorporating multiple 1/4" and XLR inputs, along with the added bonus of an XLR output, making it one of the most versatile FRFR speakers on the market. So, what’s up next? I’m toying with the idea of elevating Spark CAB on a riser or finding a way to angle it up, redirecting the sound more towards me than straight into the audience. Scratch the riser; I'll opt for grabbing another Spark CAB, stacking it on top of my current one, and daisy chaining them together to create a full-on wall of sound. Well, maybe not a wall—I don’t want to subject anyone to that. Jokes aside, though, I’m seriously considering going full Spark and swapping out my current amp sim for a Spark GO. It's a snug fit on my pedalboard already, so why not? Or maybe I should just forego the whole pedalboard and cab setup and just bring the brand new Spark LIVE along for the ride. If, for some reason, you want to check out my band. All live photos taken by Steven Vigar

February 02, 2024

Another year, another NAMM show! We want to send a massive shout-out and heartfelt thanks to all the incredible musicians including Ando San, Freekbass, Jimena Fosado, Adam Miller, and Laurence Juber, just to name a few, who swung by our booth, jammed out, and added their magic to the unveiling of our latest gear. What a weekend – soaking in the future of music, connecting with the greats, and launching some serious game-changers. Now, let’s take an inside look at what happened over this unforgettable weekend. Positive Grid Announces 3 New Products At NAMM 2024 At NAMM 2024, we announced not one, not two, but three brand-new pieces of gear. Check out the video below to get a quick rundown of what’s to come. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Positive Grid (@positivegrid) Spark LIVE Spark LIVE is an all-in-one 4-channel smart amp and PA system that supports multiple instruments including guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards and so much more. Fueled by Sonic IQ Computational Audio, this 150-Watt performance beast delivers big, adaptive sound for any event. Spark LIVE is available for pre-order now! Spark Control X The next generation of Spark Control is here with Spark Control X. This official wireless foot controller for Spark series amps now features 6 customizable switches, 2 TRS expression pedal inputs, a long-lasting battery and more! It’s the perfect companion to Spark LIVE and all the other amps in the award-winning Spark amp family (includes 40-Watt, MINI, GO!). Pre-order your Spark Control X now! Spark LINK It’s time to go cable free with Spark LINK – an ultra-low latency (under 3ms) wireless guitar system that not only looks great with a Spark amp, but is also compatible with virtually any other amp and instrument with an output. Play at a distance of up to 70 feet (over 20 meters) without any lag, signal drops, or sacrifice in sound. Spark LINK is now available for pre-order. How loud is Spark LIVE? There’s no better way to demonstrate the raw capabilities of Spark LIVE than to have our resident guitar guru, Rob Math, plug in and shred outside of NAMM. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Positive Grid (@positivegrid) Going the Distance with Spark LINK We put Spark LINK’s 70-foot playing distance to the test on some unsuspecting NAMM attendees and the reactions were priceless! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Positive Grid (@positivegrid) So there you have it – NAMM 2024 in a nutshell. Want to learn more about everything new we announced this year at NAMM? Be sure to check out the official Positive Grid website for all your guitar and music needs, including all the latest news and updates for what’s coming next.

January 29, 2024

Thinking about diving into the wonderful world of wireless guitar systems but haven't quite pulled the trigger? Well, amidst Positive Grid's recent product announcements, there's one gem that has the guitar community buzzing - Spark LINK, their debut in the wireless guitar system game.

January 29, 2024

Spark LIVE is officially available for pre-order, and the hype surrounding the all-in-one performance monster is nothing short of electric. With its roots deeply embedded in our award-winning smart practice guitar amplifiers and tone-building software/plugins, we have taken our expertise in speaker design and software to create something revolutionary with the birth of Sonic IQ – delivering more than just an amp.

January 25, 2024

Spark Control X pre-sales are officially live, and the buzz is real! Guitarists worldwide who love jamming with Spark are gearing up for the next big thing – the much-anticipated iteration of the popular wireless foot controller for Spark series amps. But it’s not just a minor upgrade. 

January 16, 2024

Spark LIVE is coming, and it's about to make some serious waves in the gigging scene. So, what is Spark LIVE exactly? It's a 4-channel multi-instrument smart guitar amp and PA system. That’s right, it’s an all-in-one performance machine that can handle guitar, vocals, bass, keys, and whatever else you throw its way.

November 07, 2023

Last month, the pulsating heart of the music world found its rhythm at the vibrant Orangewood guitar's headquarters in the sunny expanse of Venice Beach, CA. The occasion? One that summoned a diverse constellation of musical talents to gather: Jam Lab 2023.

September 06, 2023

Positive Grid's latest collaboration with Paul Gilbert has brought us a gem in the form of a custom Spark MINI, personally crafted and autographed by the guitar virtuoso himself. If you missed out on this exclusive piece, don't fret, because you can still tap into the brilliance of his iconic sound.