The guitar is undoubtedly the king of all musical instruments, and for good reasons. Firstly, it is a versatile instrument and can be used to play any music genre.
From classic to pop music, you can play any genre with a guitar. Unlike other instruments, it is exceptionally portable, making it easier to carry around.
With that being said, no matter how versatile and easy to play guitar is, you need a few accessories for the best playability. You may think that it’s only fingers that do the magic.
However, many things work together to give the perfect sound. A guitar amp is such a tool that is used to elevate the weak signals, so they can be heard on big stages.
Yamaha and Positive Grid are two companies that specialize in manufacturing guitar amps. They have been in the industry for a long time and enjoy a sound reputation.
If you are learning to play the guitar and want to buy a perfect amp for your guitar, this article is for you. We will be comparing the Yamaha THR 30 ii and the Positive Grid Spark hereinafter so you can choose the right one.
Yamaha THR30ii vs Spark Overview
Let’s put the Yamaha THR 30 ii and the Positive Grid Spark in a detailed comparison to find out the winner.
| Features | Yamaha THR30ii | Positive Grid Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Yes | No |
| Tone | Bright | Warm |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs | 11.46 lbs |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
Yamaha THR30ii
Yamaha THR 30 ii is manufactured by Yamaha, which is a big name in the music industry.
It is mainly known for manufacturing guitars, but you’d be surprised to know that it manufactures an extensive range of musical instruments and accessories, including guitar amps. It started offering amps over a decade ago.
Construction
The Yamaha THR 30 ii is one of the most sought-after guitar amp models by Yamaha. It has a metal front face and top and a metal handle to easily maneuver it around.
However, the backside is made of plastic, which does not necessarily feel squishy but is a turn-off for some players.
While it looks premium on the front and topside, the backside looks somewhat cheaper. That being said, it is pertinent to mention that this molded plastic is pretty solid and won’t break easily.
Now coming to its controls, all the knobs and other controls have a pretty professional look. Their tall size makes them easy to use, and they also feel great in hand.
Performance
Talking about its performance, the Yamaha THR 30 ii has a bright and natural tone that we all like. However, it is important to point out that it is not ideal for large auditoriums.
It works fine in studios, jamming sessions, and small gigs, but it may let you down on big stages.
As for versatility, the Yamaha THR 30 ii is a highly versatile guitar amp. One of the main reasons why the portable desktop guitar amps have secured massive popularity is that you get lots of tones with many effects on top.
Gone are the days when you only had a clean channel and overdrive tones. These guitar amps hit the nail on the head by giving you all the tones you can possibly think of.
Battery
The key difference between the Yamaha THR 30 ii and the Positive Grid Spark guitar amp is that the Yamaha THR 30 ii is powered by a battery. Of course, there are times a power source is not available.
he Yamaha THR 30 ii will come in handy in such situations. Its wireless nature gives you freedom, so you do not have to sit around the power source all the time.
There are many wireless guitar amps on the market, but unlike them, the Yamaha THR 30 ii has a more powerful battery that can last for several hours.
You can rest assured that its battery won’t die midway through performing. Just unplug it when it is charged, and you are good to go!
As for the layout, you get plenty of controls with the Yamaha THR 30 ii. The main power button is used to turn it on and off, and it has an indicator that lights up when it is powered on.
Then, it comes with five presets so you can save your audio. Saving the recordings is an absolute cinch, and you just need to press and hold the saving button for a few seconds.
Apart from that, the Yamaha THR 30 ii comes with Bluetooth, so you can attach it to other devices as well. It also has a mobile application for better control and convenience.
It has all the controls, and it allows you to operate it easily. The interface of the app is user-friendly, and even non-techies can operate all the functions.
Positive Grid Spark
Manufactured by Positive Grid, the Positive Grid Spark is a widely used guitar amp and is one of the main reasons for the company’s success. It has low weight and great sound, excellent for anyone looking for a portable yet powerful guitar amp.
There are many reasons to love the Positive Grid Spark guitar amp, and its app is one of them. The app is available for both iOS and Android mobile phones and operating it is an absolute cinch.
The controls on the amp might be fewer, but the company has provided enough controls in the mobile app.
Construction
As far as the layout is concerned, the Positive Grid Spark has a power switch to turn it on and off. Like the Yamaha THR 30 ii, it also comes with an indicator, so you don’t have to play the guessing game.
You also get a tap button to sync the time-based effects. Whether you want to add delay or speed up to your tempo, you can use this button to add your desired effect.
The Positive Grid Spark has four preset buttons so you can record your audio and listen or edit them later on. Volume control is the last button on its layout, which happens to be a bit tiny.
However, that’s not a problem for most users. It is a bit taller as compared to the Yamaha THR30ii. It has a tolex body with golden piping and has a pretty clean front face.
Performance
Now talking about its sound quality, the Positive Grid Spark gives you tons of effects, including delay, speed up, reverb, and several others. With its two speakers, you get an exciting sound.
If you are looking for an amp to play in big halls, the Positive Grid Spark might just be the perfect option for you. However, you may not like its extra-warm sound if you are into cleaner and brighter tones.
Final Verdict
The Positive Grid Spark and Yamaha THR 30 ii are two exceptional guitar amps with lots of cool features. While the Yamaha THR 30 ii has a natural and bright tone, it lacks in terms of loudness.
It weighs next to nothing and comes in compact housing. On the other hand, the Positive Grid Spark is a good option if you are looking for a loud amp at a reasonable price. Overall, the Yamaha THR 30 ii is the clear winner.