BOSS KATANA MKII vs BOSS KATANA GEN 3 - AND THE WINNER IS...?

[@borisv8766]

Sounds more like change in speaker emulation than preamp itself.

[@RMS12.2]

I do hear the difference but I will probably just stick with mkll

[@depam455]

The gen 3 is 200 euros more than the Mk2 and the sound is too similar

[@misterreality]

The Gen3 sounds darker to my ears from here. I like the way the mk ii pops on the video. There’s definitely a mushy sound the Gen3 has. No bad, but different. That said I’m happy with my mk II, and would probably buy a used mk Ii before getting the 3 as it doesn’t sounds like it would cut through a mix vs the 2.

[@TwistedIdentity]

I got a Gen 2 Artist Head recently and when I saw the Gen 3 came out I was just like "-facepalm- really." buuut it's to be expected I s'pose :P After actually hearing the Gen 3 on videos though, yeah I'm happy with my Gen2 I don't care to upgrade haha. You're right the 2 does seem a little brighter. I'd rather my amp be bright and be able to dial it down than to not be bright enough

[@fastacesus8499]

This is not my experience. In Gen 3 they have got rid of the low mids and the overall clarity is better. You need to try one though.

[@misterreality]

@@fastacesus8499 tried one a few times. Still sticking with the two. It’s all subjective. I don’t like it. You do, it’s all good.

[@kalaharithorn]

Very cool! Didn't the Gen 3 sound a bit too dark? I am not using great quality headphones, but that's what I heard. Didn't love the clean tone, which I thought sounded a bit better and brighter on the MkII. But the distorted tones, while darker/fuller, sounded great on the new one.

[@ryanmccabe7821]

Great Vid Juca. Noticable difference listening through some decent sony bluetooth headphones. Sounds more analog on the Gen3. I've got a Katana Artist MkII combo but 95% time use preamp pedals connected to the effects return of the artist. Using Joyo American Sound and SunT as preamps with boost pedals and much prefer the analog sound and enhanced dynamics. Still use the delay and reverb from the katana using this setup. Stock sounds of the katana sound good but a little spikey. My preamp pedal rig rounds out the sound quite a bit, Gen3 appears to produce a rounder less spikey sound in your demo. When I engage the global eq using the preamp rigup I get the eq shift I'm after but lose some of the harmonics and analog roundness.

[@nightworkband7715]

You said there was a weaker signal coming from the MK2 when you were doing clean and actually it sounded like the opposite it dropped off when you started playing the Gen 3. Just wondering if I'm the only one that heard it that way.

[@williamdavidson7893]

I heard it that way, too.

[@johnelias5293]

Me too

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

It’s because of the video sound when exported.

[@richardbrucemusic]

@@JucaNeryGuitar that and KZbin's compression is probably squashing the Gen 3's increased output.

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Yeah!

[@godsgifttotheinternet4538]

I have a first generation 100 Watt Katana, I seen no reason to upgrade to a second generation or third generation yet. Maybe the 4th generation will finally give me a reason to upgrade but from I've seen so far in these upgrades, I doubt it will. The Katana I already have does everything I need.

[@tim8745]

Listening to this through my computer speakers, they sound pretty much the same, only slightly different. Both seem to sound pretty good.

[@mobeersplz]

Thanks for demonstrating them both, I have neither amp and was considering the Gen3. I feel the MKII might sit better in a mix, the Gen 3 sounds like it would lost. I’ll have to play them both to really tell though.

[@JHKNVY02]

Would love to see the same shootout with the Artist Mk2 vs Gen 3

[@twelthstring]

Yes , but without bypassing the Waza spreaker.

[@robphillips8351]

I can say that owning both mkii and gen3 50 watt, I think it's more noticeable through the speaker in that it's a little smoother in the top end, if that makes any sense??

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

Great 👍🏻 Demo as always....tried the gen 3 myself. Im waiting for either rhe head or Artist which is coming next month. But i must say these gen 3 are a huge improvement especially that true natural response and sound is incredible on the gen 3 . Truly feels and plays like a tube amp now and mk ii was soo close already. Have a blessed day dude 😎👊🏻💯

[@jazzcat1056]

Prefer the Gen3. My Gen2 has that ice pick sound you have to dial out.

[@beefnacos6258]

Yup and it's still there just a little bit , for me at least. When I record though you can't hear it

[@riokinsey2134]

Juca, do you favor the waza or regular katana speakers? Relatedly, which do you personally feel your patches sound better through ?

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

They're both good, the Waza being a better speaker.

[@Officer_WF]

Thank you !!! Juka just saved me a lot of Εuros. I will definitely keep my MK2

[@ablegrei7050]

Me too!

[@ECO20222]

I think it is important to disclose if the gear was send by the manufacturer or bought by the reviewer's own money.

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Both sent.

[@vegetariancannibal3098]

Sticking with my MK2 ❤

[@stevewooten2157]

Great video! Thanks for doing this!

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Thanks :)

[@rderfa]

Awesome video as always, man. Thanks and cheers!!!

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Thanks man :) Cheers

[@tchnorl00]

Not sure if it’s just me but the gen3 sounds muddy and just lost compared to the mk2 which is the opposite of what you’re saying while you are playing through them so that’s strange. Don’t know why I have an eerie feeling that these gen3’s are a miss compared to the mk2. The new “pushed” amp is a cool addon but I’m sure that sound can be emulated through an mk2 anyway. So far not a huge fan after watching multiple reviews of gen3’s.

[@dougnation985]

Gen 3 sounds like you threw a thick wool blanket over it.

[@andythrash.]

I got the MK2 head and I love it to bits

[@johnb2941]

Like Juca says, maybe it sounds different in the room but from what I hear I agree with others that say the Gen 3 sounds dark in comparison to the MK2. I'm not a fan of dark and prefer the brighter sounds even if it's thinner. I'll stick with my MK2 for now. Maybe I'll change my mind if I ever get to hear one in person.

[@bluemawks]

Juca, this is the vid I wanted to see!

[@MarkBoese]

"MK" is "Mark" I was hoping this would be a comparison between the two in terms of technology...the sound between two solid state amps from the same company really can't be that different.

[@OFFICIALAZURITEKING]

I own a GEN 3 ARTST, I agree with you! The sound quality is there, more fuller than wth a MK2.

[@fantaizy4]

The winner is Katana MKII ...Sorry

[@JTB--]

I'd stick with the MKII unless you're going to upgrade to the Katana Gen 3 Artist with the "Bloom" Feature among other nice new features

[@rodneytod7141]

I like Gen 3 better, BUT, with digital every time you get something a new revised version is around the corner. You go broke keeping up! I’m just gonna be happy with what I have. I was happy with it prior to Gen3.

[@bluemawks]

'm dang sure they are both running the same preamp tech, maybe they updated the software. Run a loop into the front end, then a spectrum analyzer? just sayin?

[@bikeman1x11]

might just be the cab/speaker emulation

[@mostLikelywhite]

So the gen 3 has headphone jack stereo output but the mkii doesn't correct?

[@alessandrorighi1282]

Generally speaking the gen3 sounds fuller but sometimes the tone is too close with a lot of bass, maybe it's because was setup to work with the MK2.

[@lenni-hazels]

I think I missed if and where it was said but if it was just the MK2 patches ported over to Gen 3, no wonder it does sound a bit dull on the new one.

[@ChrisPuckett]

I bought a gen 3 head yesterday from Sweetwater and I can’t wait to get it. I have a MK2 100 W head for sale. I’ll let it go for 200 bucks. It’s in really good shape. Seller pay shipping, comment below and let’s connect if you want it.

[@andrelessard5305]

The MK2 sounds good but the GEN 3 sounds warmer and fuller. Good choice of guitar for this comparison. Thanks Juca

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Thanks :)

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

I keep my Artist MK II. There is no need for a new Amp. The "old one" works fine!!!

[@StanleyGrant13]

I got a Gen 3 and hooked my MKII up to it as a slave to get stereo out of the config. It’s the best of both worlds.

[@LairdDavidson]

I wonder if you can unlock the "sneaky amps" on the gen 3 amps like you can on previous ones.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Apparently not, unfortunately.

[@greenwichmusic6771]

The gen 3 sounds muddy in all of these clips but it person it doesn’t. I don’t think the eq responds the same on gen 3 so the patches won’t translate that well

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

It definitely won't transfer over well. But that's ok. Everyone can make their own patches again and upload em to the internet 😉 👍

[@JHKNVY02]

Gen 3 sounds killer through the DI! Much closer to a Tube but WAY simpler and CHEAPER to record! I may have to pick up an Artist Gen 3 head in the future!

[@Matthew_Scan]

Mk 2 sounds brighter than Gen 3

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I agree but it also is thinner sounding.the Gen 3 has a fuller, warmer tone. I wonder if you added more presence to it?

[@bzworld]

Thx Juca will the patches I bought from u work on Gen 3?

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Yes, sure :) Cheers

[@tomcaron9113]

Hoping the gen 3 does not sell well so I can pick up one cheap! Would like a second Katana for stereo with my Gen II 50 ex. Might go for the 100 gen 3 and put a neo in it to reduce the weight. Already got a neo for it.

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

What's a neo?

[@tomcaron9113]

@@jeffreyquinonez8964 It is a neodymium magnet speaker. A super lightweight magnet is used in place of a regular magnet.

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

@tomcaron9113 will it sound better or worse than the stock speaker. I'd like to try a different speaker with any katana I have in the future but I want it to sound great for metal

[@christopherhavison5176]

Thanks for the video.. no reason to up grade to gen 3 . Just do adjustments and save your money for a new guitar!!! Hell Yeah

[@JudgeFredd]

My next amp (Gen3 Head) - tx Juca !

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Cheers 👍

[@charlielamp2739]

I like the MK2, Gen 3 sounds like you put a pillow over the speaker, my opinion for what it worth.

[@STPATRICKMANNNNNNESS]

which was one the winner and why?

[@randall9000]

MK 1/Gen 1 gang rise up 🙋‍♂️

[@jeffmalz7103]

The 2 sounds better

[@sabbathcross]

Is it possible to connect GEN 3 to a smartphone via USB?

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Never tried, but I guess so.

[@sabbathcross]

@@JucaNeryGuitar could you check?

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

@@sabbathcross Will do soon :)

[@robphillips8351]

Gen 3 sounds a bit scooped in the upper mids

[@pikatchufleur7188]

Je pense que les katana son des amp de maison bidouilleur mais aucun son n est transcendant et organic.... il y a rien a faire de ses amps

[@ChristosEugenakis]

If all the settings on the amps and the daw are really the same, the GEN3 sounds awful compared to the mkii in this presentation ! Thanks !!!

[@lenni-hazels]

Well generally more lows and highs, less mids but I wouldn't say awful. Here I admit it sounds a bit too muffled. On other comaprison vids I thought the gen 3 sounded more crisp and "full"? Also the 100 moreso than the 50. Either way my Katana 100 3 gen is soon on its way so I can start playing and tweaking everything to my own taste :-)

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Your english is getting better👍

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Thanks :)

[@davidbarlow431]

I will be sticking with my 100 mk2.

[@nightworkband7715]

It's great that you did this video but can you please Check again Because I've already commented that when you said there was a weaker signal coming from the MK2. It sounded opposite to what you were saying and the weaker signal is coming from the Gen 3 can you please check that out and let us know

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

It’s definitely weaker. I tried to adjust the gain to match in my DAW.

[@nightworkband7715]

@@JucaNeryGuitar thank you for the response so you are saying that the MK2 sounded louder because you over adjusted it? Because the Gen 3 sounded weaker and more muffled

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

@@nightworkband7715 Yes, that's it. In the end of the video might seem that the Gen 3 is weaker but it's quite the opposite.

[@nightworkband7715]

@@JucaNeryGuitar thanks so much for the prompt responses. Maybe that's also why on the clean channel the MK2 came across a little better which surprised me but that could be because you overcompensated a little bit. Thank you very much for the video and your answers. I look forward to seeing more

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Stay tuned for the next video where I’ll use microphones. Cheers

[@yvandewever6518]

Gen 3 really dark sounding

[@greenwichmusic6771]

It has to be the way he has the eq set, I think this video confirms you can’t dial them in the same. In person the 3 doesn’t sound all dark and muddy like this

[@bonedale]

Have a mkii will wait for gen 4, best to skip a gen otherwise I could never keep up, beside I think we know someone who can make a pushed patch

[@beefnacos6258]

I'm sure you'll be waiting another 5 years minimum

[@scott6682]

Will GEN 3 patches work on Mk2?

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

Nope, only the other way around.

[@GerryBlue]

I have the MKii, and at least in this video, I think it sounds better

[@derekjohnson5720]

The first and most important thing about an amp is it's sound. All this fx loop, Bluetooth, line out etc is irrelevant. Tried a Gen 3 and to my ears it was a down grade from the mk2. The pushed setting can be created on the mk2, clean channel with the blues driver used as a boost. The gen 3 sounded darker. Boss are getting a bit stupid with this amp now. 2024 and you need a dongle 😂😂 you have the gen 3 mk2 that you can't use the footswitch with but they brought out a mk2 gen 3 ext that you can shortley after. I have a katana and I can tell you it has to be the most overhyped amp ever. Is it a good amp yes, is it the greatest like it's made out to be, hell no.

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

You can't use the footswich? Since when?

[@derekjohnson5720]

@@JucaNeryGuitar can't use the gaf footswitch on the mk2 gen3 50wat

[@JucaNeryGuitar]

@@derekjohnson5720 Oh, the 50 Watt.

[@derekjohnson5720]

@@JucaNeryGuitar yeh you can't use the gaf footswitch on the mk2 gen3 50 watt. You need to buy the mk2 gen3 ext to be able to use the gaf footswitch. I think that is a shit move from boss. They need to do away with this gen/ext thing. What they should do is just bring out a amp called the Boss Katana. Have a 50wat, 100wat, 100 2x12 100wat and a 100wat head. Put all the bells and whistles on all of them, built in Bluetooth and wirless connection, fx loop etc. Make them all compatible with the gaf footswitch. Price them accordingly and let peeps decide what size they want. This mk2, mk2 ext, mk2 gen3, mk2 gen3 ext, it's a load of nonsense if you ask me. Boss should bring out a basic katana for absolute beginners. Have it with 4 channels, clean, crunch, lead, brown. Gain, volume, master volume, bass, middle, treble and reverb, power reduction. No modulation or fx or tone studio. A basic plug in and play for beginners. I think a Katana is a bit to much for an absolute beginner, option paralysis. I learnt to play on a old Marshal mg 30watt. Moved on to use pedals with it. Then went onto a Katana 100watt, then a silverline 100watt. Then a Vox AC15 with pedals that gets kept in my pals studio as I was driving my neighbours crazy.

[@RF_Burns]

Both sound like a cheap multi-effects pedal to my ears.

[@Matthew_Scan]

It’s the Apple business model Gen 4 will come out and and Gen 3 will be obsolete rubbish

[@johndavenport7725]

MK II !!!

[@bikeman1x11]

not worht upgrading

[@jazzcat1056]

First lol.

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

And the winner is: The Boss GT-100, which you can snag used for $250.