Boss Katana Artist Shootout

Which one did you prefer and why?
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[@zakklee2556]

A. clean sm57 1:40 mkii 2:07 gen 3 B. dirty sm57 2:37 mkii 3:11 gen 3 C. Clean direct out 3:47 mkii 4:12 gen 3 D. Dirty direct out 4:41 mkii 5:21 gen 3

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

Good to see you again Dave.....here's my take on these I have the MKii and Gen 3 Artist....the difference? The gen 3 sounds like the mkii with pedals in front of it...real pedals... For anything gain related. Anything clean on the Gen 3 sounds and feels even more like a tube amp . Any of you guys considering either of these my suggestion is never use tone studio. Use effect pedals in front for anything gain related, and good modulation or boutique pedals in the loop for any effect not in the katana to your liking. The time based effects are wonderful right on board the katana, also the chorus, flanger, and phaser is fantastic. 3 must have pedals ....gate, 808, Boss RV 6 and you be Golden with either amp.....the gen 3 does have a tighter low end without pedals in front, with pedals though there equal.....end note ...the high gain structure on the Gen 3 may be the best I've heard from any type of amp and the string separation is incredible again....with a analog pedal in front of it only . 👍🏻💯

[@scottcarruthers5127]

Cool! I've been waiting for this comparison. Thanks Dave!!

[@Claes_Isacson]

Very cool! Thx for sharing Dave! 🎸

[@MrDrakenator]

I absolutely love this dude! The real deal!

[@TheTreehouseShop]

Switched from my mk2 to the mk3, aaaand love it even more. It immediately feels smoother, especially nice to switch the whole sound with Variation and extra bloom buttons however you feel and whatever the surrounding cries for. MK 3 feels like a lifetime choice for me. So much more to explore in this little black box:) Thank you for all your delicious content❤

[@tommanseau6277]

It's the "Bloom" function that does it for me. That's the single biggest difference between the generations to me. It acts like a loudness function boosting the lows and highs but compressing at the same time. That reduces the harsh spike that a lot of solid state amps have. It mimics amp sag. It's a cool trick of effects mimicing what a tube amp does. There are also some minor EQ adjustments that make the amp sound fuller. It's subtle, but definitely there. I just got my standard Gen 3 100 watt head (not the Artist). The biggest difference between it and the Artist were a few panel controls & the XLR outs. Most of the extra panel functions can be replicated in the app. If you're recording or working larger stages, then the Artist is definitely worth a look. I personally wasn't a fan of the speaker in the combo, but that's me. I got this as an adjunct to my Nextone Special, which to me is just a monster, and for me it's the overdrive tones which supposedly is the amps Achilles heel.

[@RoodyH]

Oh Dave, Dave, Dave! This is the video I didn't want to see! I've had the Artist MkII for a year, just over, it's a stunning machine BUT now I've got to start selling everything and anything I can get my hands on in order to afford the Gen3. I hold you fully responsible! My wife may be in touch via an angry email! Top stuff as always! Keep on a rockin' 🤘🤠🤘

[@dereklearnsspanish]

Thanks for the video. There are videos out there demoing the 50 and 100 gen 3 but not too many of the artist. I decided to pull the trigger and my gen 3 artist should be coming in about a week. Im looking forward to seeing what tones I can get out of it.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Not even joking here. After 40 years of buying and using every amp ever made, in my opinion, the Katana Artist 2 and 3 are the best combo amps ever made.

[@diezelvh4133]

Nope, Diezel Vh4 is.

[@Fnnggjji]

@@diezelvh4133I was thinking Landry Lexi

[@squirelova1815]

Oh puleez...everyone knows the early Spider modelers rule.

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

I was going to say that 😂 👍🏻🤣​@@squirelova1815

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

these amps are incredible....I only wish we had them 25 years ago 🤣

[@casslanesmith1969]

I completely agree with you prefering the Mark 3. It's like it's had some kind of voodoo special sauce added. I noticed the difference even through my laptop. I can't imagine what the difference was like live. Thank you for doing what you do, good sir!

[@BigSifu67]

I traded my MK1 artist in on a Gen 3 100. I will eventually get a Gen 3 Artist, but right now, I'm good. Watched the Red Giant V Log a little while ago. Good stuff! Glad it was a good show!

[@bobblake7132]

Well Mr Dave, for me the 3 has it. There’s just so much more going on. The tone has more to it, a much fuller sound. Very surprising in one way, but of course if Boss hadn’t made it better they wouldn’t have bothered. Thank you for the education.

[@Rob-fn1lm]

Morning Dave hope your well today mate .lots of good vibes to you

[@thedustykeratometer8570]

Beautifully Done!

[@BMichel347]

Still sticking with my MkI 😊

[@JanLawicki]

Same here:)

[@garyjinks7482]

Same here works fine.

[@jeffrowlette]

I'm just here to say Hi Dave 👋 Oh - and you rock 👍

[@barrettflorida]

Gen 3 also has the xlr out that I greatly appreciate

[@SLAMcomics]

Every time I see the katana artist in action I look over at my Gen1 katana and ponder upgrading, then I remind myself that I’m a pure hobbyist and don’t even get chance to crank it up

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

Mine arrives tomorrow 😊😊 I already have a 100w Mk2 so although I was thinking of selling it, I may have to bask in the Stereo Expand feature!

[@garystevens6831]

Yeah spot on there, there's not much in it, Mark III definately had more low end and definately had a clearer cut to it.

[@dmac3316]

Cool vid. I’ve liked the Mk3 50s and 100s I’ve tried. Keeping my Mk2 100 and 50 for now tho. My next Katana will hopefully be a Mk3 Artist 🤘

[@DavidFernley]

Amazing amps amazing Dave the wizard Simpson maybe the 3 as it killer tone all round

[@aminahmed2220]

What a great video have a wonderful day Dave also Sunday was my mom birthday ❤😊

[@heeerka]

hey mr dave i hope ur doing great, cheers from bosnia

[@dylandavid1515]

I just bought the MK2 artist because of the insane price drop to 399$ stoked to get it ✌️

[@Martin_84]

I almost bought the artist 2 on sale but they sold out. I still enjoy the excellent Micro Cube GX and NUX Mighy Air thou. Thanks for all you do Dave I know it's hard.

[@bluessumlin...7067]

2 is slightly harsh, 3 sounds like you said special!🙂

[@philiplyon938]

The thing I really notice when comparing a Katana 100 mkii to a Marshall DSL20HR into a cab is that the Katana sounds "hollow" - it's as if it has a whole sonic chunk missing in terms of warmth depth and dynamics. That said I use the Katana all the time at whisper levels because it does that a whole lot better than a valve Marshall could ever do.. Does the Mk 3 have this missing tonal chunk filled in yet Dave ??????

[@thedavesimpson]

I have never noticed that with any of the Kats so can’t say. Sorry.

[@JHPRS]

I bought the Katana Artist Gen 3 head and a MKll Artist combo, because the combo was on sale for $399. Now I can run the Gen 3 head into the speaker of the combo and I still have the MKll combo. :)

[@styrkecoach]

Do you Just unplug the speaker chord from the combo and straight into the head? I Just ordered a artist 2 combo for a plattform for multifx and pedals.

[@johndrowe5281]

@@styrkecoachgood question … I would think so, but Boss (or the sales person) should be the one imvho to make the decision. Spread the blame just in case - Before you try it out yourself.🤷🏼‍♂️.

[@leighwilsonartist]

You could build a wall of Katana sound Dave, using your heads and cabs and combos👍😂

[@livefreehurtno1]

The Mk3 is just a splash more cream in the coffee with a hint more caffeine. Both just a bit smoother but also a fraction more loud or powerful sounding. The difference isn’t a lot but it’s enough to be easily perceptible listening to them head to head.

[@KellySchrock]

I have a MKII Artist, and I'm going to get a Gen3 Artist. I may not be able to tell a difference between the two (beyond the obvious "pushed" mode being different) but if I don't upgrade, I'll feel like I'm missing something. 🙂

[@themetaldudespodcast8136]

This is my issue with everything 😂

[@You_Are_Avocadorable]

I prefer my fender tweed blues junior 😅 but if I would buy a new amp it would probably be no 2 but I could not say why. Your playing sounds great on every amp I’ve heard you play on so far. My blues junior doesn’t hide my imperfections and it’s eagerly calling me out on it… all the time! Maybe I should get a new amp that likes me 🧐

[@defshepherd9042]

Dave you should have a band at the Rory Gallagher tribute night live at the moment on KZbin from Cork Remember if you want a roadie I’m your man you would blow them away Glad to see you seem to be coming ahead 👍

[@revtimewest]

The MKii is amazing . I just cant justify buying a new artist. Now if I was just getting into the katana the MK3 artist would be it.

[@andygardiner5431]

I love you man, although it's dark try to keep to the light. X

[@pauloneill7939]

Agreed III sounded slightly better it was very subtle, i own the II and will be sticking with it.

[@dreamerdeceiver6592]

Hi Dave what amp do you recommend for playing at home? i have a boss katana100 mk2 but i can´t get over how digital it sounds to me,very artificial and trebly and harsh it hurts my ears ,qhat is a better alternative? and orange cr60 for example or another orange valve amp even? im looking for a natural sound with plenty of punch but good cleans too and juicy and articulate thanks

[@gilbyglibber]

Its very subtle. I think the gen 3 has the edge in dirty tones. For clean tones, its more "different" than better or worse imo.

[@ldfox11]

I already own the Boss Katana Artist II. Barely could afford that, no way I'm going to upgrade.

[@666gun100]

It would be nice to hear the comparison of the 1x12 Artist vs the 2x12 combo. I've got the 2x12 combo mk2 and have been thinking about trading it for one of the Artists?

[@JHPRS]

Please help me to understand the settings you had the amps on. It looked like the gain, volume, and entire eq were all the way counterclockwise and the Master was up a little. How is there volume, with it set all the way down? :)

[@thedavesimpson]

I’m using my saved presets.

[@adiohead]

With those settings I liked the Mk3 for lower gain and the Mk2 for higher gain.

[@saxmidiman]

Answer is having both...huh?

[@timedwards1220]

I noticed that no one mentioned the fact that the Gen 3 is Bluetooth capable; as well as the Solo, Bloom and Variation features, which makes the Gen 3 more appealing (and worth the extra $200) to me. 🤔🎸

[@sundayslaps]

Hey Dave! I wonder if you had any tips or tricks for getting a clean hendrix/frusciante tone (the warm and glassy axis: bold as love style for sexy chord embellishments) on a Katana just using tone studio/panel. I think the new pushed channel sounds like it could help me out, but I'm currently on mkII 100

[@thedavesimpson]

Use the lead mode with the gain about 11 o’clock. Volume on full. Bass, mid, treb on 0. Presence on full. :)

[@sundayslaps]

@ i cant thank you enough. Strugglig for 3 years and feeling so lost with the katana. I tried this and added an EQ, and it feels really nice, like it cracked a code. Do you have any further tips on things i can try to add or adjust? If you have been playing with these tones, do you remember what knob you liked to play around with, or any fx pedals? Maybe there is an external pedal i should buy? I would be glad to send a tip as a thank you somehow :)

[@halloweenman6141]

Thanks for the comparison Dave, really useful. Great playing. I'm in two minds between this Katana with digital modelling or Orange Super Crush 100 (analog). What are the strengths and weakness of each and how do they compare? I just want great clean and overdrive tone, not that interested in all the other effects. Thanks.

bonjour, prends un jazz chorus 40, amitiés

[@nonchai]

Got my Artist Gen3 two days ago, & EX-Footswitch. Good sounding versatile amp but … what I don't get: We have a 3 colour LED-Switch for each effect but no way to turn OFF/ON on the panel except by turning corresponding knob anti-clockwise until light goes out. At which point we've zeroed that parameter!. DAFT!. Only other way to turn the effect Only other way is via the EX footswitch which means looking away from the panel. When i'm in tweak mode on the panel exploring options I dont want to be constantly lookign down at my feet just to audition or mute an effect. I thoiught msybe a long-pause on the LED button would maybe do it.. but nope....

[@user-mj4ye7cw8n]

Hi Dave! I'm looking for an amp for home use and can't decide between Katana Artist mk2 (or 3), Roland Blues Cube Hot, Roland JC22, Fender Mustang GTX50, Quilter Aviator Cub and Laney Foundry Super 60 112. I mostly play classic rock and blues. Also some clean atmospheric stuff...and a little bit of punk :) I know you love katanas, but you also tried lots of gear. Have you tried some of the other amps I mentioned? Could you give me an advice please?

[@thedavesimpson]

Katana. Haha. :) it does it all.

[@user-mj4ye7cw8n]

Thanks mate, I appreciate it!

[@DiMarzio-Tone]

I've got the peavey vypyr X3, I play almost all-time metal, and the peavey takes the cake no problem. I know the katana's are better every other way, except bottom end, and the peavey doesn't need the internet to optimize. But the peavey just sounds fuller and darker than the boss katana.

[@zakklee2556]

Suggestion for content. Please. the gen 3 head headphones out with stereo delay.

[@JHPRS]

Could the tonal difference be the Bloom feature? I think I saw it on when you were playing the Gen 3 Artist. :)

[@thedavesimpson]

Its a huge factor.

[@JohnWiku]

Both sound great, I'd get the gen 3 if I could, but the MK2 at half the price of the gen 3, it starts to sound like the best amp of the two very quickly 😂😂 I bought an Artist MK2 head for less than half of the gen 3, brand new.

[@saxmidiman]

So, I have the Artist Head Mk2. I hear that if you get the Mk3 you can use both in stereo, and get the Mk3 sound. Anybody got experience with this yet?🤩😎

[@keithdewey]

Nice. If you had to grab an amp for a big pub gig, just wondering if you'd Artist Gen 3, or Vox/Fender/Marshall value? I'm really struggling with what to buy after 100W m2!!!

[@thedavesimpson]

I’d go Katana.

[@SanDimas234]

I really like my mk2 artist but after trying a freidman ir-x it feels like that would be the upgrade I would go for rather than spending the same on another digital amp.

[@GordBrooksMusic]

Ahh man now I gotta go buy a Gen 3 haha.

[@timedwards1220]

Hello Dave, a good morning, afternoon and evening to you also! I have a question, I currently have a Line 6 Spider V 60. I have made up my mind to purchase a Katana Artist Gen 3 asap. What can you tell me about the differences between the Katana Gen 3 and the Line 6 Spider V?

[@thedavesimpson]

I’m not sure as i haven’t spent a great deal of time with the spider. Sorry.

[@Matthew_Scan]

I have a mk 2 Artist and a Boss GX 100 both sound good , but I can’t seem to get the mids on the modeler to sound like the amp . Both amps sound very similar DI , but a big difference micd up the the mk 2 sounds more boxy and mk3 3 bigger and open

[@MikeFergus]

Dave i cant tell which is which amp. Maybe you should have put up on screen which amp you were using each time 😊

[@thedavesimpson]

Look for the chevron beneath the boss logo. The mkii has two lines. The mkiii doesnt.

[@MikeFergus]

@@thedavesimpson cheers pal, loved the video, I've started watching the john videos again :)

[@carloswhomusic]

Dave is the noise gate buried in the software on these amps? No access to the noise gate without a phone/computer?

[@thedavesimpson]

No idea. Sorry.

[@carloswhomusic]

@@thedavesimpson its a major design flaw

[@JanLawicki]

I'm so gutted as had to sent my mk2 artist back as there was something wrong with it, sticking to mk1 !

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Just get another MK 2 you can get them brand new for $400. They’re so much easier to use than the MK1. I think the Katana Artist Combos are the best amps ever made.

[@JanLawicki]

@@BAND-MAID-USAthanks, Yeah it was cheap reduced £380 brand new deal. Amp was somehow corrupted or something, not sure I want to go through it again.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

@@JanLawickiI’d immediately buy another one without a doubt.

[@JanLawicki]

Still happy with mk1 but thanks for advice

[@Mrtn-gi6mp]

Gen 3 is more upper mids Orange 🍊 amp-ish now , Gen 2 still remains the real Boss tone .. I prefer the mkii still and connecting both amps s/b thee ultimate tone for the 👂👂

[@williamduehring3804]

Hi Dave, Katana artist G3 100 combo or Orange super crush combo?

[@thedavesimpson]

Katana.

[@williamduehring3804]

Thanks Dave, I’m on it

[@JanLawicki]

I’ll wait for gen4 I think

[@MikeHomar-u8c]

Hi 😊👋

[@markrobertson9020]

I never bonded with my Katana Artist. I couldn't wait to sell it. I went straight back to my hand wired Tweed Deluxe and pedal board and couldn't be more happier.

[@thedavesimpson]

They’re not for everyone. :)

[@Rob-fn1lm]

Is that the 62 strat

[@thedavesimpson]

Yep

[@Thomalom]

Hullooo good day good afternoon good evening to youuuuu Mr Simpson

[@wjewell63]

👍... you've got me eyeballing these amps now... I'm not a tube fan so I think one of these would suit me thanks.....👍

[@salsplace]

The Gen 3 is less digital sounding, rounder and fuller. I have the MK1 100 and Gen 3 100.

[@CheddyBear714]

Are they both waza speaker?

[@thedavesimpson]

Yep

[@saxmidiman]

BTW...I am sure we'll really know they are as good as you say when all the tube amps in your vicinity disappear.😶‍🌫

[@andrewbecker3700]

I'm not sure there's any difference in the tones you can get, if your using only the amps. How, you get the desired tones from each new iteration of the Katana. Has changed only slightly. But ultimately they can do the same thing. I think anything else, is in people's heads. If you use only the clean channel and pedals, with a separate 212 cab. There's absolutely zero difference.

[@Java78]

Gen 3 is better

[@Stereostupid]

Hey Dave! 😊question :what do you honest prefer the boss katana's tone on its own or using your pedalboard through katana on acoustic setting with your pedals?do you prefer amp tone or pedal sculpture tone?! thanks Dave ! I really think you should do a how to get Mike McCreadys tone videos that would be awesome! People sleep on Mike. He's fantastic !! His tone on black live on 2 legs is just unbelievable!!

[@thedavesimpson]

I like both. Without pedals i’m happy. With pedals i’m happy. :)

[@YOUTUBEOBWAYJACOBGASTON0800]

HELOW MR,SIMPSON

[@secretdaisy6484]

I lost my focus and wasn’t sure which amp you were playing. But which ever was the very first one I liked it a lot. The notes were like 3 dimensional. The next amp sounded a bit muffled and the sounds were compressed and not in a good way. Have you ever played a Bad Cat Black Cat small stack? Pricey but definitely worth it. Even better if you have good guitars 🎸🎵. 👍☮️🌞🎶🩷

[@JohnWiku]

It starts with the MK2 first, then intercalates with the gen 3 onwards

[@secretdaisy6484]

Thanks because I thought the opposite 🙃.

[@Stereostupid]

BTW mk3 does sound better and fulller and crisper! Better clarity