NAD: Positive Grid Spark 2

[Frosteeman]

The title pretty much says it. I got a Spark 2. This is my first piece of gear for playing the bass out loud. I got it not only because it's quiet (I live in an apartment), but also for all of the connectivity for playing along with songs and tracks from my phone and the tracks they have in the Spark app. I know it's geared more towards guitar, so I shouldn't be too disappointed that they only have 2 bass amp models, but I still kinda am. I do have guitars since I played them before picking up bass, so it won't be a total waste, but still.

Any tips for getting the most out of it for bass?

 

[Passinwind]

There are actually 4 bass amp models, and IME the acoustic guitar ones also work OK for bass, as do the Twin Reverb and JC-120 models. I haven’t really used my Spark 2 much for bass so far though, but I really love it for both acoustic and electric guitar.

 

[daddymactx]

I don't have the 2 but my experience with the 1 on bass is totally negative. I teach bass and guitar but the speakers couldn't handle bass at all. Actually felt like I blew a speaker. I stopped using it on bass, repaired the speaker. But I love it for Guitar!!!

 

[daddymactx]

I don't have the 2 but my experience with the 1 on bass is totally negative. I teach bass and guitar but the speakers couldn't handle bass at all. Actually felt like I blew a speaker. I stopped using it on bass, repaired the speaker. But I love it for Guitar!!!

If anyone else is using either the 1 or 2 on bass Id also like to hear about their results. Thats the main reason I didn't "upgrade" to a 2. Ive used mine on guitar on 1 or two low wattage gigs, but never ever on bass. @tindrum @Passinwind

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I got a Spark 2 this last Christmas for guitar, and was surprised to find that it does great job for bass as well. The GK amp clone does a nice job. The other one that shows up on the list for me looks like an Eden clone. You're not going to play a gig with this little amp, but it's plenty loud for practice. I think it's great.

 

[daddymactx]

I got a Spark 2 this last Christmas for guitar, and was surprised to find that it does great job for bass as well. The GK amp clone does a nice job. The other one that shows up on the list for me looks like an Eden clone. You're not going to play a gig with this little amp, but it's plenty loud for practice. I think it's great.

Thanks Chris, Are you using mostly upright, Passive or active basses or all of the above?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

No need to amplify an upright for practice. I have a passive P and an L-2000 that I use in passive mode. Plenty of volume for practice!

 

[Passinwind]

If anyone else is using either the 1 or 2 on bass Id also like to hear about their results. Thats the main reason I didn't "upgrade" to a 2. Ive used mine on guitar on 1 or two low wattage gigs, but never ever on bass. @tindrum @Passinwind

I’ve been meaning to try the line out into my AudioKinesis cab, it works incredibly well for acoustic guitar into my DIY 8 + horn cab powered by one of my homemade amps. Recent health issues have pushed that experiment back though, unfortunately. I’ve also contemplated running the line out to FOH at open mics so I could double on guitar and bass with a minimal carry factor. The original Spark just barely worked for bass at an otherwise all acoustic jam I play most Fridays, but I haven’t tried the Spark 2 over there for bass yet, as I generally play guitar these days to leave room for an upright bass player, who doesn’t need to be amplified for the most part.

In any case, the Spark 2 seems markedly better for everything I do than the original Spark, which I also have a fair amount of experience with. The 2 is OK for me as a bass practice amp, but it’s just as easy to plug in something more capable for the rare times I’m playing bass at home these days.

 

[Freekmagnet]

I've been using the Spark 1 for low volume bass practice. I use the TH500 model. I have a real TH500, and for what the Spark is, I think it performs really well and sounds convincing enough for sitting at my desk and learning songs.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Just for poopies and giggles I did my morning DB scale warmup through the Spark2. It sounded fine. Not sure why I would ever do that again since it's an acoustic instrument and it's plenty loud for practice without an amp, but I was curious.

 

[Old Ozzie Guy]

Iv had one for years, it's brilliant for guitar, electric and acoustic, but, by itself, for bass, it only rates an OK IMHO. A friend has lent me the 140w 10" powered frfr. Together it sounds a lot more like a 'real bass combo'.
I now use it as my daily practice amp. As someone mentioned earlier, I actually prefer the JC120 sim, to the dedicated bass heads, but YMMD.
PS. Adding the the frfr not only makes the spark a better bass rig, it also takes normal guitars to another level. Iv used the 2 together live for acoustic guitar, with great success.

 

[CletusMarley]

I have the Spark 2 and I love it. I mainly use it to play drum loops and backing tracks to jam over. I rarely play bass through it without headphones but you definitely can if you dont plan on cranking it. Lots of cool patches in the tone cloud. As a practice tool it's awesome.