Here's why the Boss Katana is the best value in a gigging guitar amp ever.

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

I have two 100w MKII's and one Artist MKI. The smaller 110w is so good I stopped carrying the artist around. I'm consistently impressed with these and how crazy versatile they are. I use my own effects for the most part, but they're solid enough and you can of course download some, which I've never done. I use an EQ through the FX loop and that thickens it a bit and sounds really great. Love these amps

[@danc3746]

Value is the key word for these amps. There are no better amps in that price range They sound fantastic. I have both the Mk1 50w combo and the Mk2 100w head.

[@jesselackey5333]

Just got one tonight, a MK2 50 watt. I’m super impressed how loud it is!!

[@sophiepaterson7444]

The USB output also allows you to send signal direct to your DAW, avoiding the need to go through an audio interface.

[@indrajithak47]

Connect it to your phone via otg and katana librarian app, you can chain upto 5 effects in the mark 1 and have complete amp control on your phone. There's a one time fee though, pretty negligible imo.

[@jeromeleoterry]

Have you tried recording through the USB interface? I did this a couple days ago, but found the volume recorded in Reaper was really low. Only solution I found was to increase the level to 20 dB in the global EQ. Other than that, it worked great, so no need to pay extra for an audio interface.

[@sophiepaterson7444]

@@jeromeleoterry yeah. In the end I recorded with a mic to the speaker because it does give a better result. Still, if you don't have money and just trying to record your song ideas so you do forget them it's fine.

[@-davidolivares]

@@indrajithak47 otg? This on their website or an app? I just bought a mk1 used… today.

[@indrajithak47]

@@-davidolivares on-the-go cable, you can find it in any hardware or electronic store (USB on one end and micro USB on the other), official app by the company available on playstore - Katana man pro and katana librarian

[@MPNNag]

I finally just bought the Boss Katana Artist MKII just because I found out about the Acoustic Pre Amp Part.

[@blakjack3053]

Katana is without a doubt the best thing to happen to broke ass guitar players such as myself since the DS-1!

[@familiarpurrson8744]

Well done pointing that out about the Acoustic setting. I assumed from the get-go that it was for acoustic guitars-it's one reason I bough the amp in the first place, as I don't have the space to keep piling up amps-and I haven't been disappointed. My Masterbilt dreadnought with its dual Nanomag and Nanoflex pickups sounded so good that part of me wishes I had a second Katana so I could experience the guitar's stereo feature. Now I have a Godin Multiac, too, and I can nail Willie Nelson's tone with it through the Katana.

[@stringsattached67]

The 47w on the back is what the unit draws from the wall not the output of the power section of the amp.

[@twelthstring]

Ahh. It's like my salary. I get €100 and can pay €105.

[@rub800]

The discrepancy is in the way that the audio watts and electric consumption is measured, after all is not at exact science... Do you measure the power consumption of regular guitar playing (which varies because you don't play the strings at maximum force all the time... or what about if you are using a booster? Are you consuming more watts? What about the differences in the frequency response? At what frequency should it be measured? )

[@TimGrivas]

Oohhh, That sound way right!

[@harrispapadakis8523]

Doug Demuro style presentation? 😛

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

My Doug DeMuro influence is ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE

[@harrispapadakis8523]

Hahaha I did git right indeed! That's a nice influence mate! Ps. Regarding the volume controls, they are not more than enaugh, they're just enough imo: The volume next to the gain is a channel volume, for example you might have a clean channel with super low gain but you might want it to be the same volume as your distortion channel which will be naturally louder and then the master volume makes the whole result louder or quiter Cheers

[@ryanwalden2174]

Spot on lol

[@markgueren9633]

wow!! my first thought also!! great compliment!

[@King_Goblino]

Lmao, straight rip. Not even trying to hide it.

[@roccoporcellio5783]

The Katana 50 actually has 4 presets. 2 banks of 2. If you hold down the Panel button it gets you to the second bank.

[@davegiles2120]

I bought the MK2 weeks before watching this....I am in Melbourne Australia and all music stores have been closed for months now with mail order only. I've been waiting for just over one month for the amp to arrive as the postal service has been totally inundated. All I can do is watch you tube reviews on the amp that I should already have.....I've watched them all and this review is by far the best most detailed comparison vid of the 50W Katana amps. This should be the go to vid for anyone who wants questions answered about the functionality of the Boss Katana 50W MK1 and MK2

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Incredibly kind of you!

[@davegiles2120]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 Just to follow up I just got the amp and I love it. I still cant believe what you get for the price. It has to be the best value amp of all time! On a sad note, I went to browse a few more items from the shop I bought it from but the site is down. I tried calling but the message said they are closed until further notice. Its bad in Melbourne, really bad.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

@@davegiles2120 I'm sorry to hear that!!

[@jackdellad4602]

@@davegiles2120 That's a bummer man. Well you've got the amp now (I have same), you gotta stay home for safety sake and check it out.

[@jackdellad4602]

I believe Volume, Gain, Booster etc. (@ 5:16 ) are for finding your tone, adjusting loudness and then increasing/decreasing overall with Master. Wattage increases it's output power, not volume necessarily and find it really useful, certainly for me anyway. I have the mk2 50 too. Great video, very informative overall. Thanks man.

[@satevo462]

Agree. At 0.5 watts if you crank the volume and control loudness with the master you can get feedback at baby sleeping in the other room levels. Pushed to breakup sounds at quiet volumes.

[@fuzzmountain7583]

1. I'm glad you are making videos again because I think you're damn good at it. 2. I agree, the katana is incredible value for the money 3. You can record a video with any of my cool amps.....provided you find yourself on the east coast of Canada.....which, I'm not sure why you ever would....

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Depending on the amps, I can think of some great reasons to visit Canada! Thanks so so much for the compliments!

[@fuzzmountain7583]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 Haha, cheers man!

[@alainbrisebois8334]

I hated the nobs position on top. That's why I bought the Katana Artist 100. I just love this amp.

[@lperry65]

This is subjective, I have the MKII 100 and I had the MK1 100 before that. It's convenient in certain situations and is a good sounding amp for what it is. However if your new to buying an amp or just thinking of getting a katana here is my experience. It is what it is and it does a good job but don't buy into some of the hype on KZbin, before Rona I found it convenient for smaller gigs and jams etc however it's not been used since lockdown started. Now this is where personal circumstances come in, I don't use it for recoding if that's your thing look at something like positive grid bias fx or Helix native etc you get more for your money. But if you need a real amp in the £300 GBP price range then the Katana should be on the list, but IMHO so should the the Blackstar ID Core 100. It has more features like a built in looper and Stereo, remember you need two Katanas for stereo and the 2x12 is also only mono. take a look at the Mustang GTX range especially if your into your fender cleans etc, the Katana is a good amp and my personal opinion is to get the 100 1x12 as I thinks it's the best value in the range. But the world has moved on since the MK1 and the competition has closed the gap and depending on what your trying to achieve may be better for you. I mainly play valve amps or my Helix, but if I was looking now for a 100 watt none valve amp I think it would be the Blackstar ID core 100 as I love stereo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqOzdpxqepySmpY. The most important thing is to get something that makes you feel good when you play, the rest is just icing on the cake. Also don't use a Helix or your modeler / Profiler into the power amp in on the katana and expect it to sound as good as the Katana does on it's own, personally I found my helix sounded lifeless and yes I created a patch just for use with the katana. If your looking at a Katana because of the power amp in feature don't do it, I use the line 6 power cab plus 1x12 which sounds killer but there are several good brands to choose from. Before getting the power cab I used an EV ZLX 12P PA speaker which sounded loads better than the power amp in on the Katana.

[@lperry65]

@Outlaw.44 So I recommend the Katana 100 over the 50 because of the extra features and controls on the amp without having to use a computer. Things like foot switches and FX loop, if you ever get into using a looper you'll want an fx loop so you keep the tone of the loop when you change the guitar tone etc. But for just home use then for me the tone is king and in a small form factor it would be the Yamaha THR series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaXSgGR6oM2Jgas when your learning anything that makes your sound inspiring has to be good ;)

[@KevanRCraft]

Excellent video, professionally presnted and articulate, eay to understand, information is stellar. Very impresssed!

[@batman6540]

The guy lacks basic knowledge about electricity...

[@earlleighbyrd6083]

Just picked up a katana 100 with foot switch for $250 I believe I got a great deal. Love the sound.

[@mrxmrp8795]

With the footswitch that's a super deal.

[@chriscaskenette]

Great playing and demo!! I just bought the Katana 100 mk 2, amazing amp, love it !!

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Man, I should buy one myself. Thanks!

[@stratplayr6997]

Would be nice if they enabled the Katana to be controlled by the multi effects units (for instance I have a GT-10 that would be good for effects running into a Katana which is what I play through at band practices). Boss/Roland makes so many products but they should design them all to work together.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Now THAT'S an awesome idea

[@childishyeet7165]

i got my 50W mk1 for 160 used from my friend and it’s amazingggg

[@shizukesajdm]

Doug Demuro vibes with that intro lol

[@joeladams2540]

The katana is my go to because it's just great I have only two complaints. No effects loop on the 50 and the control panel on top instead on the front. Other than that it's the most versatile piece of equipment I own.

[@andym1966]

The Artist fixes both those complaints. I got mine for that very reason.

[@dcbluez4883]

I have to agree. I bought the Mini and liked it and then bought the Artist. Only thing better than the Artist would be 2 running in Stereo.

[@accentontheoff]

The 5 effects instead of 3 has just turned this amp into a full blown multi effects unit.

[@paulseitz672]

Thanks for the review - I've been thinking about getting one of these. Originally, I was looking at the Orange 35RT when I discovered the Boss Katana 50 Mk2. Have you had any experience with the 35RT to compare it to the Boss 50?

[@tobiusmanning7336]

The wattage on the back of the amp is the power usage, not the wattage of output. My apologies if this has already been said.

[@DevonLarrabeeDrums]

This dude is the Doug Demuro of amps. And I’m not exaggerating. Not an insult, but his vocal cadence and vocabulary are SO similar

[@johnbraucher1499]

They make it competitive too now you may see later down the line, others making similar products and competing with prices and dropping their products prices over time.

[@TimGrivas]

Hello Obsessed with Guitar DUDE, Nice video and thanks for your insights. In your video you speak about not having an effects loop in the MK MKI/MKII 50. Well this is problematic if you want to use a looper. The traditional method of connecting a looper using an Effects Loop is not an option on the Kantata MKII 50. If you put your looper between the amp and the Guitar, then you will hear the onboard effects impact the looper sounds. The good news is, If you have an effects processor (must have a preamp to work) which has a looper like the Flamma FX100, then you can plug into the Amp jack on the back. This bypasses the preamp effects in the Kantana and just uses the Amp. If you use this and try to plug into the Guitar Input jack on the top at the same time, The Guitar Input has priority. Essentially, I keep my processor plugged into the back and just by plugging my guitar into the top input,,, it switches,,, seems to not be too much of a pain in the A%#. On a point to elaborate on your description of the Aux input. Yes, you could plug in a device to play music and what not,,, but what I find super helpful is, If I plug in a device in that I have pointing to a KZbin Guitar lesson or backing tracks, it works well. The volume for this is controlled on the actual device you have plugged in. I use my smart phone as the source device. This is great for beginners to play along in their lessons.

[@chrishyde1216]

Like the way you show the knobs with the amp lying flat. For me knobs on the side are much better than knobs on top.

[@ezzo1963]

doug demuro

[@cjjams7930]

Throw katana head unit on a cab with with some v30s adjust in tone studio EQ etc, noise gate, and you have a gig worthy rig

[@zerosoma33]

Value is the word all day. While I'm not totally convinced it's the best choice for everyone, I do feel it has a LITTLE of something for everyone. Personally for me I'd rather have a used Marshall DSL for shows. Never fails, always cuts.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Oooh, those are fantastic, too! Been thinking of getting one, I should pull the trigger and do it.

[@zerosoma33]

​@@obsessedwithguitars3157 you've never had a DSL? You absolutely should use one for at least 5-6 gigs and then decide if you want to keep it or not. Especially with hard rock you'll need to cut through the rest of the band and luckily Marshalls are great for that. The Katana is far too stuffy for full band situations IMO, and if I were going to spend $300 on a gigging amp, I'd save $300 more and get a DSL. They're not the greatest thing on earth, but they're by far the cheapest "real" gigging amps out there (Edit : for hard rock). Edit : Also, Hot Rod Deluxe is great, use a TS808 with it though.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

I had a TSL that I didn't care for, and then I was just going from manufacturer to manufacturer. That was the last actual Marshall tube amp I owned! I've been thinking about an Origin 50 or a DSL100H.

[@davidwefers]

Do you think the 50w is loud enough for gigging with an drumset in a room ? or better the 100w ? :) thanks in advance

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Funny enough, Rob Chapman did a video of this amp with a full band to prove that, yes, it'll keep up just fine.

[@matthewb.751]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 Yes. I have used mine twice live and mic ed and it worked great.

[@shreddedcheese9982]

Great review! The French electric shock warning sounds way more sophisticated than the English one.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Oui, monsieur!

[@martinlahaie6012]

Your french is pretty damn good my friend lolll... Greetings from Québec !

[@jackdellad4602]

The aluminium trim at the side might have made the amp look smaller by boxing it in, if you get me = =?! Just my opinion. Sorry for nit-picking.

[@tlb2732]

I excitedly bought a Boss Katana mkii 100 because I believed it would give me far more control of my sound and a much larger palette of effects and tones than I'd ever experienced before. Four months later I sold it and bought a more trusted brand of gigging amp I've had decades of experience with. Why? Because while I could create many interesting sounds in my music room at home and believed they would be awesome onstage, when I plugged in at gigs, the amp sounded empty, shallow, lacked punch, and had a terrible tone. I spent hours and hours with a lap top thinking I was making the corrections needed to get the sound I wanted. But no matter how hard I tried and how much time I invested, I could not create a full natural tone with punch when playing live. I concluded that the circuit design, the speaker choice, the cabinet material, or all the above made it impossible to overcome the deficiency of tone inherent in the amp. I don't consider the Katana a gigging amp. It may work fine for those whose musical world ends at the bedroom door. But as a gigging musician with 42 years of experience performing live, I can say with honesty that the Katana is the worst amp I've ever purchased. I'm a huge fan of Boss effects pedals. I use many on my pedalboard. But I have no use for the Katana.

[@jutukka]

Everyone seems to get very easily that scream sound ( at 19:23 - 19:24 ) in lead mode from Katana but not from MkII. Am I correct?

[@Brenners2010]

Hi there, I'm thinking of getting a Katana 100 for live performing purposes. In live performance I would use effects such as Chorus, Rotary Speaker effect, tremelo and other effects for different songs and I'm trying to figure whether it would be best for me to buy actual separate guitar effects pedals to use with the Katana instead of using the built in effects? I know that you can buy a foot pedal thing for the Katana that allows you access to different Channel presets that you have saved but would relying on the channels prove to be cumbersome in a live gig scenario? Would it be best for me to buy guitar effects pedals instead? Any helpful information would be much appreciated!

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

In practice I always like to run a separate board just because it allows me the ability to choose exactly what effects I run. Maybe I'll use a Boss chorus but my dirt box is a Friedman and my delay is a JHS. The nice thing about the Katana is, as you mentioned, having specific effects set for a specific channel. I think it comes down to whether you like the on board effects and the way they sound. If you do, then that drastically reduces cost and complexity, which is probably worth it just for that. I get bored easily, so I want to choose my own stuff!

[@Brenners2010]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 Thanks for your helpful reply. I'm thinking of getting a BOSS ME 50 multi effects pedal board or something along those lines and it would be easier for me to switch between guitar effects with this device. Thanks again

[@WhoWillBlowNext1]

Definitely something cool

[@monamay9502]

I have a 50wt MkI and MKII just like you do here. since they are different models, does that mean the programs to run are different, and i could use one laptop to have them both open on my touchscreen laptop at the same time? id like to be able to load patches to both amps or change setting that are almost the same

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

I don't know that they'd both connect tot the same computer that way because I believe the Boss software will open for only one device at a time. Good question for Boss, though!

[@rleary1]

6:45 made me laugh out loud. Where's my extra three watts boss? To which 'Cool Hand Luke' (Paul Newman) replies 'Still shakin' it boss'... Seriously though, I'd sure want my 3 watts back too! Thanks for the great review. I might be winning a used Katana MK-100 on ebay for a cheap price soon but kind of hope I fail since everything's been shut down playing wise for months here in TX and everywhere. I have far too many amps anyway and prefer my tube Fender Blues Jr's but these Katana's look nice watching all the reviews. Prayers and thoughts to all of our fellow currently unemployed players through no fault of their own...

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Yeah, so glad I don't make my living off music right now. Prayers for those that do, indeed! Thanks for the kind words!

[@rleary1]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 You too brother amen! I did lose the Katana 100 MK1 amp in the last second on ebay having bidded $175.00 (plus $75.00 shpg) but no big deal. I'd really like to try one of these out in future and from what I've heard the MKII is about the same with a better speaker? I just want to get rid of my few external Boss pedals and incorporate them into an GA-FC pedal. I use tube amps but these Boss one's sound interesting to me. As far as USB modelling downloads I don't even think I would bother with that. I don't even like iPhones etc. Lol Thanks for the great in depth review and quick reply!

[@tbone8358]

What if I do not use the Boss Tone App/Software... is it still worth the money ?

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

I think so. The preset effects are excellent and if you never deviated from them I believe you'd still be happy. I like it primarily as a pedal platform, though.

[@2000SkyView]

Why are you saying the first generation "Mark 1" is still for sale? It has been replaced by the MKII amp.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Because this particular one was, and brand new, too! Lots of stores (at least when I filmed this) stoll have plenty of Mark 1s new in box.

[@jackdellad4602]

@@obsessedwithguitars3157 Simple. I think he's mixed up with the 'sale of' and 'manufacture of' elements. Just like guitars.. cars...last years laptop...fs..

[@ODPTV1]

Thisssssssss is a boss katana MK2

[@tobiusmanning7336]

Thank you for the video, due to it I've decided against this amp. Way to ice picky, hurt my ears. Though if the high end frequency response was tamed the rest sounded good. Would cut through at a gig or practice though.

[@joelmccreight]

I have a Mesa Boogie and the Katana sounds a little better to me. I have many other brand top amps and it still it’s as good or better than those every time I do an in person comparison

[@17silence]

Hola. Sabes si el MArshall Code 1000, tiene el mismo beneficio de "power amp in", para usar el puro sonido de mi pedalera? gracias.

[@sricabla]

The only frustration I have with my Katana 100 watt 2X12 is no extension speaker out. Why not?

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Dang, that's a good question! Why on earth not, indeed!

[@ryanburr8419]

You can make a speaker out without damaging your amp/voiding warranty. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJzCfaaorbKIitk

[@mr.d.572]

I'm confused. I've heard so many good things about the Boss Katana, but to my ears It doesn't sound like it can get much gain or crunch, and the tone sounds too processed.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Well, the amp itself is solid state, which aren't known for their harmonic richness, but it does offer a lot of Boss's overdrive and distortion pedals in the onboard effects. I would have gone over them, but that would have made for a two hour video! Maybe I'll revisit this some day!

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

And yes, I do realize that the graphic for the final score says ,"10" and not "100". Dangit, I hate leaving off important zeroes!

[@matthewb.751]

anybody use two katana amps live? Either stereo or additional speaker on stage? I have a artist Mk 2 w/GA-FC foot controller. I love my old mesa boogie but the katana is super versatile and can bang around a lot moving to gigs every week. I also love the acoustic amp selector. I sold my fishman loudbox mini because I can get almost the same sound on my acoustic guitar through the acoustic setting on the katana. no more waiting to dial in the sound with the FOH guy at a gig. just minor tweaking

[@30smsuperstrat]

100 watt has effects loop. Katana 50 is 4ohm not 8 so finding a speaker is a challenge

[@Bodhisattva777]

I LOVE YOU!

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Awwwwww, I hear the Whitney Houston Bodyguard music in my head now

[@prateekbhardwaj9943]

mine making buzz noose on channel 2 with lead and booster effect plz help

[@quit293]

How do ppl on KZbin get that distortion tone? I tried it at store it never got distortion tone.

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Good question, what kind of pickups do you run through it? I have a Strat that even through the heaviest gain, remains ridiculously clean. There may also be something to the recording process and/or KZbin downgrading that compresses the sound.

[@seagullpoet]

Cool cat !

[@Ubi-o]

I kinda wonder if Doug knows about this?

[@dionbaldsing2005]

young Elton John up in this...

[@joekelly9369]

Boss pedal affect expression pedals are terrible , theyre only an extention of the badly placed top controlls hidden in a recess out if view in the top rear of the amp , and annoy the crap out of you eventually , then again when you try fitting real sound affects pedals to the amps , (its 2024 and the uk doesnt have full internet coverage) boss controll center isnt an option !

[@peterv7245]

What is missing with this review and all other katana reviews I have watched is them being reviewed in a gigging situation. What I mean is I play in a gigging cover band and I can only see that with the footswitch you would only be able to access 4 patches when playing live. For me playing a wide variety of songs, this is not enough, unless I am missing something in all these reviews

[@flobeeonekinobee2353]

The 100 gives you eight

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

No one has done anything that I've found on the heads midi capabilities

[@MrOzgooner]

IN YOUR OPINION... doesn't say much for your taste in amps

[@jimmyg6455]

ROFL! Where are my 3 watts? ROFL.. AC 117V~ 50/60Hz 47 W 47W is current draw of the amplifier not output watts.

[@brandonmurphy6760]

What about brown!!

[@obsessedwithguitars3157]

Admit it, you were curious...

[@justinturner653]

Hopefully Leitz in pensacola has their shit together, but their Fort Walton Beach location has become a shell of it's former self ever since Joshua Smith moved back to canada. Since then, none of the staff seem knowledgable about even the basics of music gear. Forget talking to the staff about a Helix, or a real tube amp, they can barely wrap their heads around getting you the right pack of strings. Uptown Station location is a joke, and the staff are clueless... Hell, I just wish I could walk back in the old location that stocked the Charvel DC-1, Tons of les pauls, and superstrats, all while having a fender combo amp that displayed the sign "Left handed". To me, that's what made the shop. A fucking left-handed guitar amp ahahahaha

[@matthewb.751]

when we play live, I am not trying to please the 1 guy out of 200 in the audience who needs to hear the perfect marshall sound. the katana gets pretty dam close and 199 of 200 people in the audience are happy and I am too

[@vypyrr]

Sounds weak drained and plastic sounding. there are many cheap marshalls, blackstar, orange valve amps for rock. valves sound good , copying valves always sounds shite honestly. another gimmick.

[@halbertking2683]

Wait till it breaks.

[@geoffarcher5112]

aha your french was pretty awful but the quality of the review more than made up for it!

[@zerogravity4408]

These amps arnt loud enough for giging

[@ToddzillaGuitars]

After listening to 3 minutes of this dork I wanna sell my katana

[@bobstewartmusic]

man you don't understand the science .

[@azizaziz7007]

With all due respect, there aren’t 4 volume knobs on this amp. If you think tone is volume then you should watch KZbin videos of very knowledgeable ppl, who are rolling their eyes watching this video

[@soulvaccination8679]

Fender champion 50 spanks this amp

[@deanmiller6177]

You wish

[@soulvaccination8679]

I do?