Kevin11":22g53fs8 said:
A quick update on my Katana experience. <SNIP> So in the middle of the gig, our singer/rhythm guitarist's JCM800 died. Between sets, I set him up with my Katana and I went back to my XTC...always bring a backup. Everyone in the band and production crew agreed that he never sounded better (his poor Marshall has needed some TLC for years now). He's the only guitarist in both of my bands that doesn't own a Katana and he was so happy with it, he's ordering one now too.
Wow. More great testimony to reassure my decision.
It seems almost too good to be true. I can get something great for $350 ?!?!?
Where was this thing 20 years ago!
I remember one time I bought a first-gen Peavey 5150 head from a local shop that
went out of business many years ago. I forgot what I paid for it, but it was more than
I ever paid for any amp before. ( Or since! )
I brought it home, plugged it into my 4x12 cab and started banging away on it.
After 30 minutes... I started getting worried. After two hours.... I was PISSED.
The thing sounded like DOG SHIT on a STICK.
I boxed it up, and took it straight back to the shop! The owner was nice enough to
refund my purchase. ( I bought other things from him, so he was cool taking it back. )
My problem is, I can never judge something in a store. I need to hook it up to MY rig,
and play on it for awhile in order to get to "know" it.
I can't demo anything in a store. You crank it up, and start annoying people. Then I start
feeling self-conscious.
Besides, any other guitar besides YOUR favorite guitar won't feel and sound like YOUR favorite
guitar! You can take one off the wall... and it is always out of tune, with bad action and intonation.
Very rare a shop does a full "setup" on every guitar they get in-stock. They unbox them, and
stick them on the wall. SWEETWATER supposedly does a 55-point inspection/setup on every
guitar they sell. Which is what ALL shops should do.
But I digress....