Positive Grid Spark Pearl Guitar Amplifier Electric, Bass and Acoustic Guitar 40-Watt Combo Practice Amp with Spark Mobile App (Pearl)

I am not going to talk about the features of this amp, they are numerous and well thought out. I will say The included drum machine is a welcome feature for new players instead of a metronome. This will get you up and rocking a lot faster. If you are not comfortable controlling this with a smartphone or computer, then I would look elsewhere. If you are fine with this, then this can be the best-sounding practice amp under 300$, by a mile.My only complaint with this amp is it needs an additional Digital signal processor between the effects loop and the actual power amp, the speakers without correction are very dark and boomy.. There are 3 models of the spark amps and they all share the same tone cloud, so this thing sounds best when recording, or using the headphone out. In the spark 40, the speakers sound a bit dark, where they sound lean on the smaller units. But do not fret(pun intended) You can add an overdrive module on the front end of the chain and use the tone knob on that to boost the upper mids. There is also a 7 band EQ, and if you bring down 200 and 500hz, then lift 2k and 4k a touch, you can get a nice, rock/metal tone that sounds utterly fantastic through the speakers. I would not have believed it if I did not hear it for myself, this thing is stunning once you compensate for the speakers.. Just note that if you use the EQ, you will not be able to add modulation effects. Also note that the tones you create for the speakers will sound lean and harsh through headphones or recording through the USB out. Fortunately, you can store them in your phone, or have up tp 4 stored on the unit to switch between tones for recording, and tones for playing through the speakers.This is the best-sounding practice amp I have ever used. It is easy to dial in tones, and once you EQ the speakers, this thing sounds amazing. It can get loud enough to rock out in a living room without annoying your neighbors, but not loud enough to play over a drum kit. You could gig at a coffee bar or small acoustic venue, but that would be it. Regardles,s it gets surprisingly loud for its size, and sounds like a much bigger amp. I am impressed.

should have bought this sooner this amp is amazing

I use this Spark amp. EVERY DAY . I play around two hours each time and have NEVER had a problem. There are many many different settings to use and I love that. I play for my own pleasure and HIGHLY recommend this amp for reliability and fun . WELL DONE !!!!!!!

I really 100% wish this had been available back when I started playing -- it would be a great way for beginners (young or old) to get started playing guitar -- perfect for that! The apps make it easy to choose a custom amp/rig sound, or to search for other players' recommendations on which rigs can help you get certain sounds (i.e. like how to make your rig sound like certain songs from bands like Deftones vs the tones/sounds from various songs by Alice in Chains, or Foo Fighters, etc. )Here's what I love about it:The amp is also great because of the onboard controls and ability to shape sound -- even if you didn't use the app at all! It has great sound (at 40 watts not LOUD loud but absolutely fine for beginners and/or as a spare practice amp for others (how I plan to use it myself.) It has a switch with 7 different core amp modeling sounds (Acoustic, Bass, Clean, Glassy, Crunch, Hi-Gain, Metal.) This is awesome because you can simply plug in your guitar and start playing with that huge range of tones and sounds -- so you don't need to go buying effects pedals out right out of the gate (TONS of sound shaping options here for the price, and being built right into the amp.) In addition - you also have built in Delay, Reverb and Modulation --- that's three more effects you get to experiment with but not have to buy separate pedals as you get started!They have some cool ideas going with the way it can bring in a 'virtual drummer' or bassist to accompany what you're playing - how cool is that!? (It's not perfect, but what in life is? In this case -- it's all software (in the app) so they can upgrade/enhance it over time -- which is the absolute miracle about living in this age of tech. So like with other gear out there - this product and experience could get better and better, it all depends on how the company supports it over time --- but their website and customer forums/support section seem very solid and active -- my gut says this product will keep getting better...)For me, since I've been playing for years (too many to admit) and have accumulated lots of amps and effects -- I mainly bought this amp for the amp modeling functionality through the app, and to see what the 'virtual drummer' and bassist would be like... if I remember back to my 'beginner' days this amp with the app functionality would have been PERFECT... (and I'm looking forward to seeing how this company supports/enhances the functionality of the app - I've been impressed so far so I'm optimistic!)If all that wasn't enough -- it can also be used as a bluetooth device or powered speaker also! For this price -- it does a whole lot in such a small package -- perfect for beginners, but also useful and well worth the small price for 'veterans' like myself who always have a way to use an extra little practice amp!