Yamaha THR10II vs Positive Grid Spark?

**Wattevr** · 02-24-2025, 12:19 PM

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a new practice amp. I’ve narrowed it down to either the yamaha THR10II or the positive grid spark. Has anyone tried these amps out? Other amp suggestions are welcomed too.

Thanks

**pingu** · 02-24-2025, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Wattevr

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a new practice amp. I’ve narrowed it down to either the yamaha THR10II or the positive grid spark. Has anyone tried these amps out? Other amp suggestions are welcomed too.

Thanks

I got a Spark mini as a small
light ,portable , usb chargable
practice amp / blue tooth speaker

It works ok for that ….
I’m giving it 7/10

**rpjazzguitar** · 02-24-2025, 08:41 PM

I don't know anything about the Spark.

The Yamaha, from what I can see on line, weighs 9.5 lbs. It has some features that you may or may not need.

What I'd consider for a practice amp, ahead of the Yamaha, would be the DV Mark Little Jazz. It weighs 15 lbs, but it's still in the category of one hand, easy to lift. It doesn't have many different sounds, but it is widely reported (including by me) to sound great. Most important, it's plenty loud enough for a jazz jam and even a quiet gig. $70 more than the Yamaha.

**mr. beaumont** · 02-24-2025, 09:22 PM

Yamaha THR is the best practice amp I've ever used. Voiced more like a high quality bluetooth speaker, sounds great for playing with tracks. Sound fills a room nicely, but it's definitely for practice, not performance (unless its like a tiny coffee house solo gig)

But the sound quality is outstanding. ..if you want to hear it's jazz tones, check out any plugged in video i've posted in the last 3 years or so.

**Alder Statesman** · 02-24-2025, 10:03 PM

My brother has the Yamaha and my son has the Spark. The Yamaha is the superior amp. My brother has even mic’ed the Yamaha at jam sessions when he did not feel like schlepping Katana.

**medblues** · 02-26-2025, 07:10 AM

I have the HX Stomp and the Yamaha THR30ii, it's easier to mobilize the Yamaha and get many versatile sounds. I haven't gigged with it but it has stereo line outs for that purpose as well and I heard people praising it as a gigging tool.

**Flat** · 02-26-2025, 09:44 AM

I've got a Yamaha THR10c. It's really great.

I've never heard the Spark. Could be great or even better. Can't say.

**bluejaybill** · 02-26-2025, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar

I don't know anything about the Spark.

The Yamaha, from what I can see on line, weighs 9.5 lbs. It has some features that you may or may not need.

What I'd consider for a practice amp, ahead of the Yamaha, would be the DV Mark Little Jazz. It weighs 15 lbs, but it's still in the category of one hand, easy to lift. It doesn't have many different sounds, but it is widely reported (including by me) to sound great. Most important, it's plenty loud enough for a jazz jam and even a quiet gig. $70 more than the Yamaha.

That's what I did, easy to drag to a jam, great for practice- in that it sounds great at low volume, unlike my tube amps. And my wife thinks it's cute!

EDIT: Just a note that this is really jazz only, if you like to get your ya was out with a distorted sound, other options might one better.

**jim777** · 02-26-2025, 01:44 PM

The Fender Champion 20 and 40 are options. The 40 weighs less than 20 pounds, and I've used mine in band practice as well (keys, bass, 2nd guitar, and double bass drum rock outfit).

**Jabberwocky** · 02-27-2025, 04:28 AM

I would recommend that you check out any generation of the BOSS Katana, if space is not a limitation. The Yamaha THR lunchboxes are very nice but there are times when you really wish they had larger drivers.

**ScarTissue** · 02-27-2025, 04:53 AM

Yamaha THR 5 V2 - owner here.
I will write comment which some of you won't like, but it might be helpful.
If you want full 100% on practice amp, I would give it a pass.
Yamaha THR is some weird mix of interface and tiny micro amp.
So I would like , recommend buying like, proper small combo amp ...
I bought Yamaha THR to record practices. But if I didn't need that feature, I would just buy regular small solid state combo.

Edit:

RPjazzGuitar - my point exactly. You just happen to describe it in more useful way than me. Words are hard.

But I agree with RPjazzGuitar.

**rlrhett** · 02-27-2025, 04:54 AM

I have a couple of PG Sparks in their different sizes. They are excellent practice amps. I suspect the Yamaha is very good, but unless things have changed it is twice the cost. I also feel I can throw the Spark around and take it to a jam session. The Yamaha looks like it is meant to stay on a bookcase. Regardless, I can’t offer a true comparison but can say I don’t regret buying the Sparks in the least.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Adam C.** · 02-27-2025, 07:59 AM

Another Yamaha THR-5 V2 owner here.
For me as a practice amp is great! I can say that I use it almost every day when practicing/playing at home. It has everything I need (most of the time a clean sound with a touch of tremolo and a bit of reverb), and more (I also use it to teach guitar, so having distorted sounds and other modulation/reveb/delay effects a touch of a button away is perfect). Plus the option to have 8xAA batteries! You can bring it anywhere without even checking if the ones that are in the amp are full or not, because I bought 16 AA rechargeble batteries, so I have a spare when the ones in use are empty. Change them (1min), and you're good to go!

Soundwise I like it a lot! I use the "crunch" mode for the clean sound with my archtop.

With everything said, keep in mind that I never tried the Spark and if you need even more sounds/effects, the spark has almost everything.