Introduction and Boss Katana

[Bloodstorm]

Hello everyone!

I'm new and need schooling on gear.

I've got a band in the forming right now and am shopping for gear. The style I play can be summed up as Van Halen-ish hard rock. I want a good amp that can run with drums and still sound good, that has legitimate quality and is gig-worthy, but doesn't cost a fortune. The Boss Katanas have been getting lots of buzz as of late I've noticed. I was looking into the 100w head version. I was wondering if some of you could chime in on the legitimacy of this amp? Is it a good amp worth looking into? I already have a 1960a cab loaded with G1275s that I could run it through. Does this sound like a good pro setup that could get me going in the right direction? I'm very intrigued by these amps because of the cool features they have. All the built-in Boss effects, the software where you can essentially create your own patches/sounds and program them into the amp, etc. I also like the price point. Just wondering if this amp is of good quality/legitimacy, or should I look into something else?? Thanks so much!!

 

[Robotechnology]

I think it would work fine for your application (and many others). I have one and am very happy with it. I bought it for its built in speaker to take it with me when traveling for work during overnight stays in hotels because it was about the same price as the Yamaha TH’s. My work situation changed and I am every glad that I didn’t buy one of those smaller traditional travel amps because I use the Katana 50% of the time now at home and keep it set up with a 1x12 in my living room. It’s very convenient. Haven’t used it on a gig yet but have used it for 3 band practice sessions and I wasn’t wishing... why oh why didn’t I bring my 5150 III 50 watt Head with me works great and more importantly sounds great. Would I take it over my EVH? No but, $350 new vs $1k new isn’t very comparable now is it!?!

 

[romanianreaper]

I think they are badass amps, especially for the price. I don't own one but every time I'm in a guitar store trying out a guitar, I plug into one. They are easy to dial in, simple, etc. In my opinion, the key is using the boosts in the amp. So basically have a reasonable amount of amp gain and then a decent amount of gain from the pedal. I think the "Brown" setting is my favorite.

I've been playing since 1985 and have owned tube, hybrid, solid state, and now own a Fractal Axe-FX II. I think that amp is a solid piece of gear. As mentioned, it is not going to replace someone's huge rig but a huge rig costs way more.

 

[Racerxrated]

I had one for a week, and while it won't chase a tube amp away IMO it is a great bang for the buck rig that sounds very good, and has great features. At a gig no one would know it's not a tube amp. I think the tube feel at a decent volume is lacking but the Katana does this as good as the high priced modelers IMO, so you don't have to spend big bucks on an AXE FX or Kemper to get the best feel out of a modeler when you have the Katana.
Another option in that price range is a Crate Stealth, all tube Lee Jackson designed circuit. Nice 3 channel amp with a good loop and can be found for less than 300...these were made in the early 90s and are not the typical Crate junk. The EVH 5153 50 used can be found for 500 used as well.
Good Luck!

 

[Bloodstorm]

Thanks for the good responses guys. I'm feeling very encouraged to purchase this amp. I think it could work really well for me. Especially the 100w head version since I could run it through my 1960a cab. I shouldn't be lacking in volume/headroom with a band with this setup should I?

 

[Hartattack1090]

Thanks for the good responses guys. I'm feeling very encouraged to purchase this amp. I think it could work really well for me. Especially the 100w head version since I could run it through my 1960a cab. I shouldn't be lacking in volume/headroom with a band with this setup should I?

Not at all. It's just as loud as a 100w tube amp would be. Good luck with your purchase. These amps can't be beaten for how much they cost!

 

[jcj]

I guess I'll be the lone dissenter; I tried a 50 watt combo, and was completely underwhelmed.

It was fine, but I was expecting way better, based on the online hype.

 

[jski59]

Ive has the 100watt head for about a month and am really impressed with it.

Playing through my cabs, I’ve got it dialed in fairly close to my Friedman Marsha...close enough that my bandmates can’t really tell the difference. It’s not 100% the same feel but it’s pretty damn good.

Played a gig Saturday night through the clubs backline cabs, which were newer Marshall 1960s and everything sounded like shit to me...A good reminder to not underestimate the importance of the speakers.

I normally use port city 2x12os cabs with scumbacks.

 

[ZEEGLER]

Thanks for the good responses guys. I'm feeling very encouraged to purchase this amp. I think it could work really well for me. Especially the 100w head version since I could run it through my 1960a cab. I shouldn't be lacking in volume/headroom with a band with this setup should I?

Not at all. It's just as loud as a 100w tube amp would be. Good luck with your purchase. These amps can't be beaten for how much they cost!

Well, technically a 100 watt SS amp is about on par with a 30 watt tube amp. Having said that, I have the 100 watt Katana combo, and I believe it can hang with a band, just about.

 

[Rick Lee]

I have a Katana 100w and play VH. I use the Katana as a backup and have needed it twice at band practice and once at a gig. It gets the job done and I'd have no problem using it as my main gig amp, except I love my Marshalls even more. I've had two EVH 5153 100w's, a Stealth 100w and two 50w's. IMHO, the non-Stealth 100w wins there. But it's like hauling a boat, it's so big and heavy. Sure is nice to throw the Katana on the floor in front of the passenger seat in my car and tuck it behind my 4x12 at gigs, in case the need arises. I haven't done anything with firmware or downloads, just use it as it came from the factory on the Brown setting and with less gain than I think I need. Works just fine and takes pedals well too. Huge bang for the buck.

 

[Racerxrated]

I guess I'll be the lone dissenter; I tried a 50 watt combo, and was completely underwhelmed.

It was fine, but I was expecting way better, based on the online hype.

If you run the head through a decent cab, it's much better.

Still not a tube amp though.

 

[Bloodstorm]

Reviews look pretty favorable to me. I'm definitely buying the 100w head. It's just so great for the money. No need for pedals either with all the effects built in. I think tone is mostly in the fingers anyway. No reason a good player shouldn't be able to dial in solid tone on this amp. But just to be clear, the 100w Katana head is a full-blown gig-worthy amp, right? I mean, it's got loud, professional-sounding tone and headroom for a band situation, right? I just want to be sure that a band situation is not going to be iffy with it.

Just one more question. I'm a little confused about the software it comes with. Can you pretty much create your own tone? Is that what I'm hearing? Like, is it just a bunch of models of amps, cabs, and pedals that you can mix and match to create your own patches/sound? I've heard most people say the Katanas are NOT modeling amps.

 

[MrDowntown]

Gig worthy, loud enough, professional sounding? some of that is at your discretion, and subjective...although there are a bunch of guys on here who have gigged with theirs. I seem to remember one guy on here that tours somewhere in South America, IIRC, with 100w head....swears by it (for him).

As i understand it, the 4 stock settings on the katana are Boss's stock SS amp tones, designed around the Waza tube amp. Those are just straight solid state amp tones...and pretty damn good ones. there is free software, you USB from amp to computer, and shape the tone, eqs, effects, etc. and save it to the amp setting slots and you're off. there is also a midi pedal you can get,,,,i think its a midi,,,, that'll allow you to shift between different settings, etc. i'm not exact on how much the pedal will allow you to do, someone else maybe can chime in and brief you on that.

There are also "sneaky amps" you can download. those amp models are just that, models of other amps; fender, vox, mesa, marshall, etc.... i eff'd with those for awhile, burned out from all the switching between amp models and dialing in this and that eq/effect, etc. and moved on; I've owned modelers in the past, i know full well it is a huge rabbit hole man.

Depending on what type of music you're into, there are enough guys on here with a katana they may be willing to share a patch with you to get you going. Just my opinion,but older rock tones, 80's, some 90s...i think the Katana does very easily. if you're in to the heavier, what i call "chugga" stuff, the amp may need a push from a pedal up front...seems i remember a few guys broaching that a while back. Some were able to shape the sound they needed with the on board parametric eq, IIRC.

Katana is a GREAT practice amp, especially the built-in speaker on the 100w head version. but it will also convince most people standing in a crowd listening to you/your band. They are VERY easy to play, very forgiving...at least the setting i have/i use. But as others have said, it's likely not going to bury your favorite tube amp, especially if its something higher end.

GL

 

[jcj]

I guess I'll be the lone dissenter; I tried a 50 watt combo, and was completely underwhelmed.

It was fine, but I was expecting way better, based on the online hype.

If you run the head through a decent cab, it's much better.

Still not a tube amp though.

I'm sure you're right. My hopes may have been a bit high, based on the glowing reviews. There certainly wasn't anything wrong with the amp, I just didn't get anyone ditching their tubes amps for one (which I had read).

Hell, I'm not that even tough to please, I play through a SpiderJam all the time.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Welcome!

I own the Katana 100w head. It's 100% gig worthy. More than enough power on tap and then some. I'm currently using it as back up in my band. My other guitar player has one as well. We both dig em.

 

[guitarobert]

Love the Katana. I practice using it more often than my tube amps now to save the life of my tubes. It’s a huge cost saver from that point of view, and still sounds awesome.

There is a big trick for the Katana to be aware of. Make sure to run the Master volume very high. I run mine around 3:00 (75%). Then use the power setting (100w, 50w, 0.5w) and the Channel volume to set the volume where you want it. The responsiveness and tone improves dramatically when the Master is set high on this amp. The Channel volume doesn’t change the tone much. So it’s backwards from a normal amp. But you’ll have a much better tone experience doing it this way. Took it from “meh” to “wow!” for me when I learned about this.

 

[Bloodstorm]

Love the Katana. I practice using it more often than my tube amps now to save the life of my tubes. It’s a huge cost saver from that point of view, and still sounds awesome.

There is a big trick for the Katana to be aware of. Make sure to run the Master volume very high. I run mine around 3:00 (75%). Then use the power setting (100w, 50w, 0.5w) and the Channel volume to set the volume where you want it. The responsiveness and tone improves dramatically when the Master is set high on this amp. The Channel volume doesn’t change the tone much. So it’s backwards from a normal amp. But you’ll have a much better tone experience doing it this way. Took it from “meh” to “wow!” for me when I learned about this.

Nice! Thanks for the tip. I'm definitely buying one of these. All of the videos sound awesome. Almost too good to be true. Something practical, lightweight, durable, and with awesome, gig-worthy tone. This is literally the amp I've always wished someone would make. They also look sweet too. You could probably get any sound you want out of this amp.

Also, can you record with the software that it comes with? I was watching a video by Rob Chapman where he was recording with his Katana.

 

[Hartattack1090]

Thanks for the good responses guys. I'm feeling very encouraged to purchase this amp. I think it could work really well for me. Especially the 100w head version since I could run it through my 1960a cab. I shouldn't be lacking in volume/headroom with a band with this setup should I?

Not at all. It's just as loud as a 100w tube amp would be. Good luck with your purchase. These amps can't be beaten for how much they cost!

Well, technically a 100 watt SS amp is about on par with a 30 watt tube amp. Having said that, I have the 100 watt Katana combo, and I believe it can hang with a band, just about.

Very true for most solid state amps, but the Katana's were made to basically be the equivalent of what a tube amp would be. So 100w Katana should be about the same as a 100w tube amp.