Positive Grid Spark 40 · problems & reliability report

Positive Grid Spark 40 problems: what real owners report

42% of 52 verified Positive Grid Spark 40owners don't recommend it — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

For balance: 54% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score

Most common complaints

In owners' own words

“The first built-in practise pattern I tried has got wrong chord positions in the grid - pretty much useless for a beginner, who *depends* on the practise material to be _correct._”
— @Noone-of-your-Business on YouTube
“I personally hated the way the spark sounded. I opted for a Spider V 60 Mk2 instead”
— @captaco22 on YouTube
“the EQ doesn't work, and the system can't use gain loud without a loud hissy fit, rendering useless for many purposes”
— Competitive_World927 on Reddit
“The Spark 40 isn’t bad by any means but I think the THR is a better and simpler (in a good way) package”
— huyexdee on Reddit
“I wouldn't recommend a positive grid product to someone who wants to learn to play the guitar”
— didihearsnacksorwhat on Reddit
“The spark 40 I have does not like hot or high output pickups or pickups close to the strings”
— minizanz on Reddit
“I hate that the Spark isn't portable, muffled, and the auto chords are wrong half the time”
— awarren82 on Reddit
“It's been a little more than a year and I don't use it anymore, just a gizmo to me”
— Robb on Squier-Talk Forum
“the mustang will likely give you what you describe better than the Spark”
— ReverendRevolver on Reddit
“PG flat out stinks when it comes to anything going wrong with their amps”
— threedollabills on Reddit
“I have never been all that impressed by Positive Grid's modeling”
— kasakka1 on Reddit
“it was very digital and thin sounding in comparison with my amp”
— HSTDB42 on Reddit

Setup quirks & things to watch for

Not complaints — practical notes from owners that didn't affect the score.

“the Spark is more of an all-in-one kind of unit”
— tigojones on Reddit
“as a practice amp its already there”
— Passion8lyApathetic on Reddit
Weighing it up? The full report has the other side — what 54% of owners like about it, who it's for, and every sourced quote. Full Positive Grid Spark 40 owner report →