Boss Katana Artist mkii - My experience after 3 years of heavy use

[@jgbirds]

Just heard this today; I’m playing through a katana artist mkii and was also working on Spooky for a Halloween show! Still working on playing good like you.

[@dannymacnevin3939]

I'm a hard core tube amp guy. I use mostly Fenders on stage and have been for 30+ years. However, I did buy a MKII 100 watt Katana a couple years ago. I used it some for gigging, but found it boxy and struggled to get a great live sound. That being said, I believe I am going to go all in, and get the Gen 3 Artist combo, but keep my MKII and use it in Stereo expand. That way, I am only using the power amp section of the MKII (and speaker of course) and use the Gen 3 as the master. Then I will try different speakers in the MKII to find something that matches closer to the Gen 3. That way, small stages, I'll grab the Gen 3 and go, larger stages, I will take both. I may video and document this journey. Great video!

[@Smart-Alex]

My Marshall DSL40CR died so I picked up a Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 - I love it so much!

[@rickclark4714]

How would you compare them? I’m considering both.

[@Smart-Alex]

@@rickclark4714 Boss has its Tone Studio which you will need to dial in the tone that’s right to your ears. Not as simple as twisting a couple of knobs on a tube amp, but definitely much easier than Helix. Once it’s right to your ears, it’s set it and forget unless you want to keep experimenting. I am very satisfied.

[@ValiRossi]

I've had my Artist Mkii for 2 years now. All my guitars sound so good through it. The Waza speaker is awesome. I'm off the tubes and the complex effects units. I only use one pedal with it. A tuner pedal. :)

[@25dbz-ot9br]

Needed a grab n go for rehearsals and low volume (theater pit and jazz) gigs. Got a katana 100. Boxy mids. Nice in the bedroom lousy on stage. On a whim traded it for an artist (gen 2). HUGE difference. Boxy mids gone. Cuts thru at rock/blues band volumes. Distortion sounds fat and real (not fizzy) at low volumes. Perfect jazz tone with my box. Direct out is better than anything else I’ve tried. Using it for almost everything now. Can’t believe it.

[@JaredDrake-sn7lf]

Love the tone and your style! Very reminiscent of some older Santana stuff.

[@rodchubb]

Thanks so much for your kind words. Much appreciated.

[@salsplace]

Been using the Katana since MK1. Just bought the 100w Gen 3 and it sounds great. You get great sounds as well. I like the iphone bluetooth connectivity in the Gen3, makes changing patches fast and easy.

[@clgreenhagen]

Nice vid, thinking of buying the MKII because they're down to $399 now. Did you update the firmware? How was the process. There's a warning on Sweetwater's site that you could brick your Katana if not done properly.

[@rodchubb]

I always update the firmware. I never had any issues. Just follow the instructions. It is easy to do.

[@fastacesus8499]

Gen 3. Big improvement over mki and mkii. I suspect mkii and jumping in the editor you could get close. I find the kat for practice and rehearsal a god send if I use with the ga-fc. Pretty much managed to set up the patches from the panel, but yeah use Tone Studio which is easier to save. Agree about the Brown, does not cut so well. Use crunch and lead and ride the volume.

[@Ottophil]

Oh. This is wild. I have seen you at my local guitar shop. And seen your name in the webb weekly for lessons. You’re a local guy. I guess i’ll subscribe I wonder if I own any of your old guitars haha

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Does it still chug ? 🔊🔊🔊🔊

[@ibmuser4210]

I've for the 50 mk2 at home as a practice amp and I use the nextone stage as a pedal platform when I gig. They are good amps. The nextone replaced my Mesa rectoverb. It's that good.

[@rodchubb]

Never had a chance to check out the Nextone series but always thought they looked interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@bsquare6809]

I have the mini, the Air, the 50mk2, the 100/212mk2, and the Artistmk2 combo. I do love these amps, I just can't figure out what I'm doing on the Tone Studio.

[@mrfrog2020]

Thanks for the video Rod. I also watched your other on the DSL40cr. I am between the artist and the dsl, mostly for full band practice and small to medium gigs. Which do you prefer?

[@rodchubb]

I love them both. If you want an all in one package that is easy to carry around and has built in effects so you don't need a pedalboard, the Katana is hard to beat. If you want a great sounding amp that is a blast to play, the Marshall would be my choice. There is just something inspiring about playing through that Marshall. Both of these amps are valuable tools for me. I chose one or the other depending on the situation I am in. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@Rock-mi5qj]

cool video!

[@goodheartmedia]

Just FYI you can turn the gain on the Brown preamp ALL the way down and still have signal. I prefer that for edge of breakup tones over the Crunch (which IMO lacks the same "feel" as Lead & Brown).

[@rodchubb]

Cool, I will have to check that out. Thanks for sharing.

[@oklahomachris6298]

Where can you get info on how to use this amps and the apps and stuff?

[@Alex.Murphy0987]

Great video, Rod. Thanks for sharing.

[@simonwarner3601]

This or the Orange Super Crush (clean and crunch/dirty)?

[@barrettflorida]

I am looking for a new amp, specifically the Artist Gen 3 with the GA-FC EX pedal. Wish me luck as I go down the modeling hole for the 1st time. Seems the Waza Greenbacks are great speakers. Unfortunately, none locally to try. So using reviews such as yours. Thanks

[@TheCyberMantis]

Katana Tone Studio is easy to use. Much easier than something like a Fractal unit. You will be happy with your Gen-3 Katana.

[@KelsterVonShredster]

Does it Djent?

[@Matthew_Scan]

I’ve got the same amp 👍

[@twelthstring]

Very nice overview. Did you upload patches somewhere on the web?

[@rodchubb]

Thanks, I have not uploaded any patches anywhere yet.

[@2hi2dye]

Wow i forgot how flubby that amp is. Thats why i got rid of mine i spent so much time in tone studio tryin to tweak it, it was over shadowing my playing

[@rodchubb]

One man's flubby is another man's ear nirvana. That's what makes this stuff great. We all like different things. Imagine how boring the world would be if we all liked the same thing.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Flubby? You must be talking about a MESA Recto. 😆

[@ekredel]

I get what you’re saying. from my experience, the more pedals and options on an amp/modeller I have to more likely is that I will play the same minor pentatonic licks and sound boring no matter how good the tone is. also, people listening to your playing that are not the same type of guitarists you are don’t care about the nuances of your tone at all.

[@2hi2dye]

@@TheCyberMantis had one, sold it

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@2hi2dye Nice. Those amps are junk anyway. The only good ones are those Hermannson modded ones.