Boss Katana

[Halen]

i wanna see jeff and dan recreate this.......

Can't y'all just three way text each other, we don't need to see that. Ever.

 

[JackBootedThug]

that's an actual album cover...saw it on gab....i convulsed for 10 minutes after seeing it....

 

[SavageRiffer]

I've heard clips that sound OK but you guys have me curious. So this feels and plays like a good tube amp? I've been burned before by reviews like this though so excuse my skepticism.

Of course there is NOTHING like a real tube amp. However the Axe FX does the best job of emulating one. The new POD HD has improved a lot, but not quite as good as the AxeFX. I haven't tried the Helix. The ElevenRack sucks in my opinion and feels like playing through a computer soundcard. I haven't spent much time with the Kemper, but I'd put it at a very close second or on the same level as the AxeFX.

Having rated those, I'd say the Katana is kind of like the AxeFX in that it has a good feel even though not like a real tube amp. If you have played a solid state Randal, Marshall Valvestate, or Vox Valvetronix, then you're going to get a very solid state feel. The Katana does have that to an extent, but there is something very interesting they've done to make it more tube amp-like than any other solid state amp. It's remarkable, but it won't quench tube amp cravings.

One exception to your list is a Randall...but the vintage RG 80/100es series from the early-mid 80s. I have an 80 and it is very tubelike, to the point of almost fooling me. And I've played another's AXE2 rig, this Randall is more tubelike than that rig. Now, the way he had it set up might not be optimal, so YMMV. But if this Katana is equal or better than the 1986 RG80 I have, then I'm sold. BTW I paid 149 for the Randall. Try one sometime. Underrated amp.

I wouldn't know about the older models, but the newer Randall stuff is quite good for SS. The Katana is very, very intriguing in terms of feel and dynamics. I have a BOSS Waza Craft BD-2w which is THE best modded BOSS pedal I've ever owned. I've tried everything from Analogman, Monte Alumns, Keeley, etc..., but whatever recipe Waza used for this pedal produces the most satisfying tone. Honestly, the fact that Waza was behind the making of Katana was the ONLY reason why I'd ever consider a solid state amp other than an AxeFX. That same genius behind the Waza Craft pedals is in the Katana. I don't care much for any of BOSS COSM stuff, and pretty much their only products that I genuinely like are the classic analog pedals and the DD500. The Katana is a new direction and whatever recipe they're using opens up the door to a whole host of new, innovative products in the future... I would think. Man, $199 for that little combo cannot be beat. Just keeping one to get banged around in the trunk of your car for whenever you might need it is worth the money. The FX are a ton of fun to play with.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Man I'm going to need referral money for all these buys!
No audio, no video just candles, my Katana and Danno's ass!

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Guys you know my amp history both being in the biz and owning.
Katana 100 head is all I own now! No interest in buying anything!! It inspires me to play! It's the real deal seriously I'd eat Danno's ass out if you didn't think this amp flat out kills!

On this statement alone I ordered one.

Jeff's tone sounded great on the vid. Our styles are really far apart but I'm too intrigued not to find out for myself.

No lose situation for me. Danno's ass or a cool amp.

I ordered one and gonna tell Jeff it sucks.
Just on principle.

You are a participant your not allowed to vote!

 

[bubbastain]

Man, I have two seriously bad ass amps that I love and for some reason (all the glowing reviews) I want to try one of these. I gotta try it at home and loud though.

 

[paulyc]

Ok...those of you who already have one, which one did you buy (head or combo, if combo which one), and what (primarily) are you playing on it (80s LA, thrash, etc...) ? I'm REALLY interested in one, but some of the clips online are meh and some are fantastic...

 

[atrox]

Ok...those of you who already have one, which one did you buy (head or combo, if combo which one), and what (primarily) are you playing on it (80s LA, thrash, etc...) ? I'm REALLY interested in one, but some of the clips online are meh and some are fantastic...

I have the head. I play proggy instrumental shit (link in signature for better idea). I use a fairly heavy Jerry Cantrell type of tone. I also have a prog Death Metal project that i only record with, but have written all my parts for the newest album using the Katana. Some of those songs are tuned to straight B (most are standard E). I have tried it with my Friedman cab and Marshall cab.

 

[Mailman1971]

Never knew I could line out to another power amp to run a 2nd 4x12.
This TOTALLY changes my thinking on buying it
Gonna be a bit since I have a new Amp coming in today (PRS ARCHON)
What would be the best 100 watt power amp for this?
Is it just line out from the Katana
then Speaker out from the power amp into the 2nd 4x12?

 

[ob1clyde]

I'm going to put this on the list for the Wifey to purchase for me..

 

[SavageRiffer]

Ok...those of you who already have one, which one did you buy (head or combo, if combo which one), and what (primarily) are you playing on it (80s LA, thrash, etc...) ? I'm REALLY interested in one, but some of the clips online are meh and some are fantastic...

I got the head. It's advantageous for several reasons. First, it has a built-in 5" speaker, so you really don't need the combo just for practice or even band practice. It has several power scaling options. The 1x12 combo, however, is the best value since it's only $199.

 

[rsm]

Boss and Roland user here. Don't need the Katana at the moment, but based on my forum activities it seems it's impressing many tube amp purists.

Given the price, and that you can get these from online retailers with discounts and generous return policies, seems worth a look with little downside/risk (except to some of your tube amps!)

I heard Boss is going to release a 2x12 cab in the future. The Waza amp was the prototype for their Katana approach which the Boss project manager explained in more detail on TGP. It's not COSM, and it's not based on the Roland CUBE modeling - I have and use both. I suspect Boss is going to use this / refine this across many modeling products.

The 50 watt combo has limitations; if you're thinking combo spring for the 100W.

 

[paulyc]

Never knew I could line out to another power amp to run a 2nd 4x12.
This TOTALLY changes my thinking on buying it
Gonna be a bit since I have a new Amp coming in today (PRS ARCHON)
What would be the best 100 watt power amp for this?
Is it just line out from the Katana
then Speaker out from the power amp into the 2nd 4x12?

Why can't you just run two cabs in parallel ? 2 16 ohm cabs would be 8 ohms, 2 8 ohm cabs would be 4 ohms...it's not a tube amp, so you won't hurt anything as long as you stay above the minimum recommended ohm load...

 

[thegame]

You don't even need to do that. This affordable parallel box will allow you to safely hook up two 16 ohm cabs to the Katana's single 8 ohm output : http://procablesnsound.com/items/speake ... detail.htm

Never knew I could line out to another power amp to run a 2nd 4x12.
This TOTALLY changes my thinking on buying it
Gonna be a bit since I have a new Amp coming in today (PRS ARCHON)
What would be the best 100 watt power amp for this?
Is it just line out from the Katana
then Speaker out from the power amp into the 2nd 4x12?

 

[Mailman1971]

Dude thank you for this info!!

 

[SavageRiffer]

Boss and Roland user here. Don't need the Katana at the moment, but based on my forum activities it seems it's impressing many tube amp purists.

Given the price, and that you can get these from online retailers with discounts and generous return policies, seems worth a look with little downside/risk (except to some of your tube amps!)

I heard Boss is going to release a 2x12 cab in the future. The Waza amp was the prototype for their Katana approach which the Boss project manager explained in more detail on TGP. It's not COSM, and it's not based on the Roland CUBE modeling - I have and use both. I suspect Boss is going to use this / refine this across many modeling products.

The 50 watt combo has limitations; if you're thinking combo spring for the 100W.

Keep in mind these aren't the typical RMS power solid state amps. They're LOUD for SS amps. The 50w is plenty of volume for many venues.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Damn you all
Katana head ordered!
FYI: I had trouble making any online coupons work so I called Sweetwater and asked for a deal- and got a good one! I'm silly stoked!

 

[MrDowntown]

So you guys already using....are there footswitches available? Are you looping efx?

 

[Purpleibby]

I'm pretty intrigued by the Katana as well....upon looking around and reading the 100+ pages about the amp at TGP, it's disappointing(correct me if I'm wrong) that you cannot take the speaker emulation off of the line out. This may be of concern to folks thinking of running it to a second sound system/power amp with a guitar cab.

 

[Mailman1971]

Dammit.....
I just ordered one as well.

Justification was I spent that much close on a Pedal.
So I am not sweating this. Seems like a cool product.
And also got a small discount thru Sweetwater

Going to replace my Practice amp in the house.