Optimistic Grid Spark MINI Vai Amp | Evaluation

MSRP: (UK) £249 / (US) $249

Nick Jennison goes full ‘Ardour and Warfare’ as he plugs into Optimistic Grid’s newest addition to the Spark MINI household—the Spark MINI Vai Particular Version. Designed in collaboration with legendary guitarist and 3-time Grammy winner Steve Vai, this 10-watt moveable sensible amp makes an attempt to convey Vai’s distinctive type to the compact Spark format. That includes distinctive design particulars and an unique burgundy weave cable, the Spark MINI Vai combines signature seems with the versatile efficiency the collection is thought for.



The Spark Mini already has a strong rep as among the finest small-format apply amps on the market. It is moveable, versatile, and surprisingly highly effective for its dimension. However with this Steve Vai Restricted Version, Optimistic Grid is not simply including a little bit of beauty aptitude—they’re giving gamers a direct window into Vai’s sonic world.

Let’s begin with the seems. The amp comes wrapped in deep maroon Tolex with a customized mandala-patterned grill, and it is in all probability the best-dressed Spark Mini but. The included braided cable with pure gold plugs and Vai’s emblem feels extra like a premium accent than a throw-in. It is flashy, positive—but it surely works, and it units the tone (pun supposed) for what this version is all about: considerate, detail-driven design.

The place issues actually get attention-grabbing is with the 4 unique presets—Contemporary, Delicate, Scorching, and Fireplace—every crafted by Steve Vai himself. These tones aren’t out there anyplace else—not on the Spark Cloud, not in the usual Mini—and so they cowl a variety of floor. “Contemporary” is your pristine clear, “Delicate” provides you edge-of-breakup crunch, “Scorching” brings the warmth with wealthy distortion, and “Fireplace”… effectively, it lives as much as the title.

The Fireplace preset particularly stands out. It is a fantastic instance of construct a fluid, expressive lead tone utilizing the Spark’s current amp fashions and results. It begins with a noise gate, goes right into a compressor, then a green-style overdrive cranked sizzling, feeding right into a high-gain American amp mannequin—topped off with EQ, delay, and reverb. It is a tone that sings, with simply sufficient chunk and saturation to maintain issues attention-grabbing with out getting messy.

What’s cool is that these presets do not use something you may’t discover in the usual Spark Mini. However the way in which they’re put collectively exhibits off Vai’s deep understanding of tone—every little thing is deliberate, balanced, and musical. For those who’ve ever wished to peek backstage of how a participant like Vai dials issues in, that is about as shut as you will get with out borrowing his rig.

After which there are the backing tracks and jam loops, additionally unique to this version. You get tracks like “Mud,” “Avalanche,” and even “Constructing the Church”, supplying you with actual materials from Vai to jam with. Whether or not you are a longtime fan or simply on the lookout for inspiring grooves to apply over, these tracks add severe worth.

The remainder of the Spark Mini’s strengths are nonetheless right here, in fact. Bluetooth audio, all-day battery life, and the highly effective Spark app allow you to edit tones, obtain consumer presets, and tweak your sign chain with ease. There’s additionally a tuner, metronome, and a surprisingly helpful video sync characteristic for recording and sharing your enjoying on to social media.

As for sound, it nonetheless punches effectively above its weight. Whether or not you are operating it by means of the stereo aux out or simply listening through the built-in speaker, tones are full, articulate, and room-filling. We mic’d it up with a Shure SM57 for demo functions, and even in mono, it held its personal. That stated, the stereo unfold from the onboard speaker is the place this factor actually shines—particularly for those who’re enjoying with broad delays or ambient results.

Backside line: this is not only a Spark Mini in a brand new swimsuit. With the unique presets, artist-created loops, and tasteful design upgrades, the Steve Vai Version appears like a well-curated, tone-forward software that additionally occurs to look incredible in your desk.

Whether or not you are a Vai superfan, a tone chaser, or simply somebody who needs an inspiring, moveable amp with a little bit of character—this little field delivers.

The Spark Mini already has a strong rep as among the finest small-format apply amps on the market. It is moveable, versatile, and surprisingly highly effective for its dimension. However with this Steve Vai Restricted Version, Optimistic Grid is not simply including a little bit of beauty aptitude—they’re giving gamers a direct window into Vai’s sonic world.

Let’s begin with the seems. The amp comes wrapped in deep maroon Tolex with a customized mandala-patterned grill, and it is in all probability the best-dressed Spark Mini but. The included braided cable with pure gold plugs and Vai’s emblem feels extra like a premium accent than a throw-in. It is flashy, positive—but it surely works, and it units the tone (pun supposed) for what this version is all about: considerate, detail-driven design.

The place issues actually get attention-grabbing is with the 4 unique presets—Contemporary, Delicate, Scorching, and Fireplace—every crafted by Steve Vai himself. These tones aren’t out there anyplace else—not on the Spark Cloud, not in the usual Mini—and so they cowl a variety of floor. “Contemporary” is your pristine clear, “Delicate” provides you edge-of-breakup crunch, “Scorching” brings the warmth with wealthy distortion, and “Fireplace”… effectively, it lives as much as the title.

The Fireplace preset particularly stands out. It is a fantastic instance of construct a fluid, expressive lead tone utilizing the Spark’s current amp fashions and results. It begins with a noise gate, goes right into a compressor, then a green-style overdrive cranked sizzling, feeding right into a high-gain American amp mannequin—topped off with EQ, delay, and reverb. It is a tone that sings, with simply sufficient chunk and saturation to maintain issues attention-grabbing with out getting messy.

What’s cool is that these presets do not use something you may’t discover in the usual Spark Mini. However the way in which they’re put collectively exhibits off Vai’s deep understanding of tone—every little thing is deliberate, balanced, and musical. For those who’ve ever wished to peek backstage of how a participant like Vai dials issues in, that is about as shut as you will get with out borrowing his rig.

After which there are the backing tracks and jam loops, additionally unique to this version. You get tracks like “Mud,” “Avalanche,” and even “Constructing the Church”, supplying you with actual materials from Vai to jam with. Whether or not you are a longtime fan or simply on the lookout for inspiring grooves to apply over, these tracks add severe worth.

The remainder of the Spark Mini’s strengths are nonetheless right here, in fact. Bluetooth audio, all-day battery life, and the highly effective Spark app allow you to edit tones, obtain consumer presets, and tweak your sign chain with ease. There’s additionally a tuner, metronome, and a surprisingly helpful video sync characteristic for recording and sharing your enjoying on to social media.

As for sound, it nonetheless punches effectively above its weight. Whether or not you are operating it by means of the stereo aux out or simply listening through the built-in speaker, tones are full, articulate, and room-filling. We mic’d it up with a Shure SM57 for demo functions, and even in mono, it held its personal. That stated, the stereo unfold from the onboard speaker is the place this factor actually shines—particularly for those who’re enjoying with broad delays or ambient results.

Backside line: this is not only a Spark Mini in a brand new swimsuit. With the unique presets, artist-created loops, and tasteful design upgrades, the Steve Vai Version appears like a well-curated, tone-forward software that additionally occurs to look incredible in your desk.

Whether or not you are a Vai superfan, a tone chaser, or simply somebody who needs an inspiring, moveable amp with a little bit of character—this little field delivers.

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