Not seen this on here yet, looks like a decent upgrade, better sound, more power, looper.
Better yet, they appear to be the same price @ $299 per the 2nd link.
Your choice, spark 1 or spark 2.
Yeah no increase in price.
I dont think its worth an upgrade unless you can move on the spark 1 at a reasonable cost but the new model doesnt add any extra cost.
At ÂŁ289 its not cheap , you can get a gen 3 katana 50w for that also etc so still have a look around before buying
I think that, in general, the Katana is better value:
You get a full-sized amp which you can gig with, the FX options and configurability with BTS on the Katana are much more flexible, and (if the Spark 2 is anything like the other Spark range), the Katana has a much more dynamic feel and responsiveness.
But you don’t get a looper (which I think is big) and you have to pay extra for Bluetooth. I also wouldn’t think the Katana makes a good Bluetooth speaker.
So I think there’s room for both and, if you don’t need a full sized amp and are looking for something compact and good for practicing, the new Spark 2 looks decent.
Cheers,
Keith
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Yeah different class I think the spark is a home desktop amp and does more true modeling than the katana.
If by “true modelling” you mean it has predefined settings which are configured to sound like specific analogue amp models, I agree.
But the technology used in a lot of the Katana isn’t dissimilar to the Spark (although the Katana has a fairly classic analogue power amp stage).
The Katana has an extremely powerful tone sculpting capability (through multiple, highly configurable EQ sections on top of the amp models (which are, mostly, their own sound, rather than attempting to be “A Marshall” or “A Bognor”, etc. but with some work you should be able to make it sound close to almost any other amp (and people have).
Personally, I think it’s a much more sensible (and honest) approach as it requires you to trust your ears more when trying to find a tone, which is a very old-school, analogue way of thinking.
But, for a desktop practice amp, perhaps something more dumbed down has its place.
Cheers,
Keith
One of the main problems I have with my Gen 2 Katana 50 is the software… it’s got a ton of features but you’ve got to deal with Boss’s terrible software to access any of it. The result is that I don’t use any of the effects that can’t be directly set from the panel on the amp.
Gen 3 really was them resting on their laurels with no significant changes (well none of the changes I wanted) so I hope the Spark 2 takes a lot of sales from Boss
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Possibly but, personally, I think the Spark software interface is pretty dreadful, worse than the Katana.
Yes, it looks prettier, but I always found it clunky to use and, for all it’s prettiness, it does a whole lot less than than Boss Tone Studio, and is a lot less flexible overall.
For instance, it has a smaller FX chain, the FX chain order cannot be changed, and it has a very limited EQ capability. And no spring reverb! What’s up with that!
Also, I would argue that you get much better control on the top panel on the Katana. I found the top-panel controls on the Spark to be close to useless and found myself firing up the app, not because I enjoyed using it, but because it was the only practical way to control the amp.
Arguably, because it allows you to change less, that makes it easier to use because there’s simply fewer controls.
Cheers,
Keith
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I’ve not actually used a Spark so your criticisms may well be fair. Certainly one of the things that puts me off amps like the Spark is the fear of having a large useless brick if the app becomes unsupported.
The best software I’ve used so far is the app for the Valeton Multi FX pedals. A lot of flexibility and for the most part quite intuitive. I think the only criticism I had of the Valeton was only being able to have 1 pedal of a given type in the chain but then again it is an inexpensive unit (and maybe it was user error).
I suppose my takeaway from this is just to buy an amp that can deliver good sounds straight from the panel and consider everything else a bonus. I do still regret my Katana purchase but I doubt the Spark is the amp I’m looking for either.
Unfortunately, the only real way to know is to try it out yourself. You might gel with the Spark where I did not but, given your complaints about the Katana, I suspect you wouldn’t.
I had the Spark for a couple of years and wanted to love it, but with the lack of dynamics in most the models, the user interface (including the top panel), and the lack of flexibility in effects and routing I ended up hardly using it.
One key thing they seem to have fixed (according to reports) in the Spark 40 v2 is the really unnatural bass that was in the Spark 40 v1.
That’s an example of where the inflexibility really was a problem as the “tone stack” on the control panel couldn’t counteract it. They, eventually, did a firmware update which added an EQ FX option which could be used, but it eliminated the ability to do use modulation FX in the process.
If it’s fixed in the v2 then that is no longer such a concern, although the inflexibility of EQ would still be a concern to me, as that is one of the most useful tone shaping tools on any amp.
I will point out that the Katana has multiple EQ sections (I think you can have up to 3) with flexible placement and each has the option of multi-band parametric or graphic versions. One of the EQs is global, so it can be altered independently of patches, and I have seen comments from gigging musicians who love the Katana for this, as it allows them to easily adjust the EQ for the room they are gigging in.
For your use, if you have the Valeton and enjoy it, I would suggest using the Valeton into the power amp input on the Katana. Yes, you would be bypassing a lot of the Katana functionality this way, but the Katana makes a pretty good powered guitar cabinet (not quite FRFR, but close) and is still a lot cheaper than other options. You may, of course, already be doing that.
Cheers,
Keith
2 Likes
I also regretted my Katana 50 purchase - mostly since it didn’t have an effects loop and I didn’t like any of the preset amps besides clean and crunch. I wound up getting a Line 6 Catalyst 60, for about the same price and am very happy with it so far. I don’t see it mentioned much in this community so I could be an outlier, but it’s worth auditioning if you or others are looking for a new amp.
Line 6 also have software with lots of customization possibilities, but I found it easier to use the actual knobs and dials on the amp, for the fairly limited customization I do. I’m sure I will tumble down the tone rabbit hole at some point!
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Theres a lot of options out there now which is great.
Probably too many choices!
And yes I know this site (and most tbh) are very pro katana, its a good bit of gear, but perhaps not right for everyone
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Today’s Andertons video is kind of relevant to this thread… a looper for those of us without an FX loop (be sure to check the manufacturers website for amp compatibility before ordering - they say more amps will be added so check back if yours - like mine - isn’t currently listed)
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That actually looks pretty smart and a good option if you have a modeler with no looper
Procrastination is my middle name James. Still no amp with an fx loop, still no fancy voice or tone pedal, still no extension mic for my phone. 
Interesting that a manufacturer has finally cottoned on to the fact that a looper is limited/difficult to use if your amp doesn’t have an fx loop. There are of course work arounds using the aux in socket that have been discussed here in the past.
FWIW, I just pulled the trigger and pre-ordered a Spark2. Scheduled to ship mid-October. They took my $ and it shows on my account status, so I know the wheels are rolling. I looked at a Katana 50 gen 3 and was sold until I checked out the Spark2. I have a Taylor acoustic-electric and have been using an old Bose S1 Pro I had as a monitor from my pro keyboard days. I needed both the delay and reverb which really enhances the acoustic sound and hope to get a Fender electric one day soon, so the Spark2 fits the bill for me as a practice amp around the house.
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Update on the Spark 2. Ordered it on 9/13. Received it on 9/21 … yes! 8 days later! So much for mid-October shipping. Been watching every YouTube vid they had and set it up quickly without any problems. Wow! What a unit! … and I love the app for phone or ipad (I’m using both). So glad I bought it. With all the settings you have, it makes practicing a pleasure. My fingers are totally worn out. lol
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Am I correct in assuming that if you use the presets you can adjust accordingly just using the knobs as a stand alone amp without delving in to the app ?
Yes if this works the way as the first one did.
Not sure if when you restart the amp you lose it or it reverts back to the pre-set but once you move of it to anther pre-set its gone unless you save it