Key Takeaway: The Positive Grid Spark GO delivers remarkable sound quality in an impossibly small package, making it the ultimate portable practice solution for guitarists on the move. At $129-$179, it’s a game-changing piece of gear that removes all excuses not to practice.

Introduction: The Tiny Amp That Could

Have you ever looked at your bulky practice amp and wished you could just stuff it in your guitar case? Positive Grid certainly has. Their Spark series has steadily conquered the practice amp market since its debut, with the original Spark 40 becoming a pandemic-era phenomenon and the Spark Mini redefining what we thought possible in portable amplification.

But the new Spark GO takes portability to an entirely different level.

This minuscule marvel—barely larger than a stompbox—packs legitimate amplifier technology into something you can slip into your pocket. But does ultra-portability mean compromise? After extensive testing and research, we’ve got the definitive answer for Get My Guitar readers.

Physical Design & Build Quality

The first thing that strikes you about the Spark GO is just how ridiculously small it is. Measuring a mere 125 x 85 x 45 mm (4.92 x 3.34 x 1.77 inches) and weighing just 346 grams (0.76 lbs), this amp is genuinely pocket-sized.

Unlike its Tolex-wrapped siblings, the GO sports a textured rubber sleeve over its plastic shell. This pragmatic design choice enhances grip when placed on flat surfaces and provides reassuring protection against everyday bumps and drops. The overall construction feels sturdy and road-ready—exactly what you want in a device designed to accompany you everywhere.

What’s In The Box

• Spark GO amplifier
• Removable protective sleeve
• Reversible duo-tone carry strap
• USB-C charging cable
• Woven grille option
• Hardshell grille

The GO offers surprising customization out of the box with its interchangeable grilles (gold/black basketweave and black plastic herringbone) and straps (leather or rubber). While not essential features, these options allow players to personalize their GO from day one—a thoughtful touch for something so personal as a practice amp.

Technical Specs

Sound Quality & Performance

Let’s address the elephant in the room: How can something this small possibly sound good? Through computational audio wizardry, that’s how.

Positive Grid has leveraged advanced digital signal processing to make the GO’s tiny 2″ speaker sound much bigger than its physical dimensions suggest. The passive radiator design maximizes bass response from the compact enclosure, creating a surprisingly full-range sound.

While it won’t rattle windows or fill a venue, the GO produces remarkably rich tones at practice volumes. Clean settings sound crisp and articulate, though they can begin to distort when pushed hard. Where the GO truly excels is with overdriven and distorted tones—the natural compression helps the tiny speaker sound larger than life.

Through headphones, the GO really shines, delivering stereo sound with impressive depth and detail. For silent practice sessions, this is arguably the GO’s strongest feature.

Tone Library

The GO comes loaded with an impressive array of digital amps and effects:

• 33 amp models
• 43 effects (including noise gate, compressor, distortion, modulation/EQ, delay, and reverb)
• 4 onboard preset slots

This extensive collection covers virtually any tone you might need for practice, from pristine cleans to high-gain metal. The preset system allows you to store your favorite setups for quick access without needing to reconnect to the app.

Usability & Versatility

The control layout of the Spark GO is minimal but effective. Despite its compact size, the designers have prioritized essential functions:

• The guitar volume knob cleverly doubles as the guitar input jack cup, making it larger and easier to adjust than other controls
• A dedicated music volume control adjusts Bluetooth audio independently
• A preset selector cycles through your four saved tones
• A side-mounted power/Bluetooth pairing button handles connection duties

Some controls feel a bit small and fiddly—an inevitable consequence of the GO’s diminutive size—but the larger guitar volume knob shows thoughtful design prioritization where it matters most.

Placement Options

The GO can be used in several positions, each offering slightly different acoustic results:

1. Upright position: The rubber feet suggest this as the intended orientation, giving a more directional sound projection.
2. Flat position: Placing the GO with the passive radiator against a tabletop enhances bass response and creates a more room-filling sound. This position also offers greater stability and prevents accidental tip-overs.
3. Strap-mounted position: Perhaps the GO’s most unique use case—you can attach it to your guitar strap or belt and play completely untethered. While fun and extremely portable, this positioning compromises volume and bass response compared to surface placement.

App Integration & Smart Features

Like its larger siblings, the GO seamlessly connects to the free Spark app (iOS/iPadOS/Android), transforming it from a simple practice amp into a comprehensive guitar ecosystem.

The app provides access to:

• ToneCloud: A library of over 50,000 user and professionally created tone presets
• Smart Jam: AI-powered accompaniment that generates backing tracks based on your playing
• Auto Chords: Chord charts for millions of songs to help you learn new material
• Video Recording: Capture your performances with your phone for sharing on social media

These features add tremendous value to the GO, especially for players looking to improve their skills or expand their tonal palette.

Spark Go Real-World Applications

Where does the Spark GO truly excel? Based on user experiences and our testing, these are the scenarios where the GO proves invaluable:

Travel & Mobility

The GO’s extreme portability makes it perfect for:

• Hotel room practice during business trips
• Vacation playing without sacrificing luggage space
• Quick jam sessions in unconventional locations
• Students in cramped dorm rooms

Silent Practice

With its high-quality headphone output, the GO serves as an excellent:

• Late-night practice solution for apartment dwellers
• Personal monitoring system for private playing
• Mobile recording interface for direct-to-DAW guitar tracking

Convenience Playing

Sometimes the best practice amp is the one you’ll actually use:

• Easily moves from room to room without hassle
• Fits in a guitar case for storage and transport
• Requires minimal setup time, encouraging spontaneous practice

Community Feedback

The Spark GO has generated significant buzz among guitarists, with users sharing their experiences across forums and social media. Several themes emerge from this feedback:

One experienced Spark user who owns all three models notes:

“The GO is amazing for a tiny amp I can pack in my gig bag, but it’s very difficult to get a good clean tone with it as at any volume it begins to distort, whereas the Mini is very good to reasonable volume. Of course, the GO cannot match the bass quality of the Mini or S40 either.”

However, they added:

“That said, it absolutely shreds and sounds fantastic at low volumes, which is why I bought it (so I can play in my hotel when I’m on the road).”

Another GO owner humorously observed:

“It’s worth it, I can hang it off my guitar strap and annoy my wife in any room,”

highlighting the unique portability aspect.

On value comparison, one guitarist remarked:

“It has way more functionality than the Fender Mustang Micro for $10 more,”

Noting its competitive position in the portable amp market.

Perhaps most tellingly, a new guitarist who purchased the GO based on community recommendations stated:

“This gives me no excuse not to practice anymore.”

Pros & Cons

What We Love

• Incredibly portable design that fits in a guitar case
• Surprising sound quality from such a tiny package
• Extensive amp and effects modeling via the Spark app
• Up to 8 hours of battery life
• Built-in USB audio interface functionality
• Customizable appearance with included accessories
• Remarkably affordable price point

What Could Be Better

• Limited clean headroom; tends to distort at higher volumes
• Controls can feel small and fiddly
• Bass response limited by physical speaker size
• Limited volume output compared to larger practice amps
• Requires smartphone for deep tone editing

Spark Go Value Assessment

Priced between $129-$179 depending on region and promotions, the Spark GO represents excellent value in the portable practice amp market. When compared to competitors:

• It offers more features than the similarly priced Fender Mustang Micro ($119)
• It’s significantly more affordable than the Boss Waza Air ($349)
• It provides greater functionality than the basic Blackstar Fly 3 ($69)

The GO’s combination of sound quality, app integration, and extreme portability justifies its price point, especially for guitarists who prioritize convenience and travel-readiness.

Which Spark Is Right For You?

If you’re deciding between Positive Grid’s Spark models, consider these use cases:

Choose the Spark GO if:

• Maximum portability is your priority
• You primarily practice at low volumes or with headphones
• You want something that fits in your guitar case
• You travel frequently and need a practice solution

Choose the Spark Mini if:

• You want more volume and better bass response
• You need better clean tones at moderate volumes
• You still value portability but don’t need pocket-sized
• You’ll use it as a Bluetooth speaker frequently

Choose the Spark 40 if:

• You need practice-room or small-gig volume
• You prefer physical knobs for all parameters
• You want the fullest possible sound
• Portability is less important than sound quality

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Portable Practice Solution

The Positive Grid Spark GO successfully addresses a specific need in the guitarist’s toolkit: a truly portable, feature-rich practice amp that delivers quality tone in an ultra-compact package. Its combination of advanced technology, app integration, and thoughtful design makes it an appealing option for players seeking practice flexibility.

While it won’t replace a full-sized amp for performance situations, it excels at its intended purpose—providing guitarists with a convenient, powerful practice tool they can take anywhere. For bedroom practice, quick jamming sessions, or on-the-go playing, the GO offers remarkable functionality in a surprisingly small package.

The Spark GO removes the final barrier to consistent practice—inconvenience. When your amp fits in your pocket, there’s no excuse not to play. For $129, that alone makes it worth the investment.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first practice amp or an experienced player seeking a portable solution for travel and convenient practice, the Spark GO deserves serious consideration. Its blend of portability, sound quality, and innovative features represents the current state of the art in ultra-portable guitar amplification.

The Positive Grid Spark GO is available at major retailers like Amazon.

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