Steve Vai: 🎸 “Every time I plug in, it feels like Christmas”

Steve Vai on the first mini amp that truly punches above its weight

Many players would call it the ultimate practice amp — and Steve Vai would absolutely agree. In fact, he loved it so much that he eventually put his name on it.

Positive Grid’s Spark has firmly earned its place among the most influential pieces of guitar gear of the 21st century. The original model made an immediate impact, quickly dominating the smart amp category. Since then, we’ve seen the Spark 2, Spark Mini, Spark LIVE, and even Spark Neo Core headphones — the concept expanding into every imaginable form. But according to Steve Vai, the real magic often comes in the smallest packages.

Calling the Spark Mini essential to Vai would be an understatement.
“I carry one in my luggage at all times,” he says. “I keep one in my dressing room and another on the tour bus. I warm up with it before every show, and I’ve even used it in the studio, plugged straight into my DAW.”

After years of dealing with outdated and unreliable technology, Vai was genuinely blown away by the Spark Mini’s consistency and its surprisingly big sound. That experience eventually led to the creation of the Spark Mini Vai signature edition — and this was clearly more than a casual endorsement.

“Pretty much every guitar-playing friend I’ve given one to absolutely loves it,” Vai explains. “They write to me all the time telling me how much they enjoy it… even people I never expected to hear from again.”

There’s no denying that the Spark Mini, in all its variations, changed the game for guitarists — whether on the road, in tight spaces, or working within a budget. It allows players to feel powerful and inspired without hauling around massive cabinets or complicated rigs.

“It removes the headache of endless digital menus,” Vai says. “Every time I plug into my Spark Mini Vai, it feels like Christmas. I knew it would be useful — I just had no idea how essential it would become.”

Vai’s interest in portable gear goes back long before mini amps were even a thing.
“Back in the days of mini cassette recorders, I tried almost everything that came out. Early small amps were still too bulky and awkward to travel with.”

Then came ultra-compact, cigarette-pack-sized amps — but they sounded terrible. Later, during the mid-’90s and early 2000s, pocket-sized headphone amps and multi-effects units became popular as digital processing grew smaller and more affordable. One of the early examples was the Korg Pandora PX1, released around 1995.

When did things really start to change?

“Brands like Korg, Line 6, Zoom, Tascam, Boss/Roland, Vox, and Yamaha all began releasing pocket guitar processors, and I tried many of them. A lot allowed you to load backing tracks and play along.”

But the compromises were always there: headphones were mandatory, editing was often complex, latency was noticeable, and the tone lacked realism. It was usable — but never inspiring.

“When I tried the Spark Mini, the light bulb went on,” Vai recalls. “It was exactly what I needed. It’s small enough to take anywhere — just plug in and play — and it sounds real right out of that tiny speaker.”

Four instant presets were all he needed. Add jam tracks, uploadable audio, and an aux input for backing tracks, and the concept finally made sense.

📱 Where does the app fit in?

“It’s legit. That’s why it’s been so widely embraced — it’s simple, practical, and travel-friendly.”

The app unlocks virtually endless combinations of amps, cabinets, microphones, and effects. There’s also a headphone output for silent practice. And the AI tone feature completely impressed Vai: describe the sound you’re after, and the system builds a tone based on that description.

🎨 How did the Spark Mini Vai come to life?

“I reached out to Positive Grid, and we started working together on a signature version that reflects my workflow and visual style.”

🏆 Why does the Mini deserve its place among the greatest?

“It’s real. People connect with it because it’s easy to use, easy to carry, and it responds like a real amp. At this point, if I didn’t have it, I’d probably warm up without anything at all — I’m done with pocket boxes. And none of the other small amps give me a sound I can truly live with.”