REVIEW: Boss Katana Gen 3 Guitar Amplifier

[@justinguitar]

🎁 Enter the Giveaway to Win a Boss Katana Gen 3 [Europe Only!] - www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/review-boss-katana-gen-3-guitar-amplifier-gr-101

[@shield400]

(Europe Only) Bwooomp!

[@ninevolt]

Canada used to be called New France - does that count? 😔

[@jeffdeboer1679]

@@ninevolt America was originally colonized by Europe. Is that good enough?

[@garryhaynes34]

No confirmation email received 😢

[@AbenteuerWildnis]

I live in Austria 🇦🇹 ... EUROPE! 🤙🍻🤠🎸

[@Knightsie]

Thanks for having me. Great to see you as always. Look forward to next time. Enjoy the amp!

[@Someone-lc6dc]

This is my first Katana and I'm actually trying to figure out what the difference between Gain, Volume, and Master knobs is. In a way they all... increase the volume. Well, the Gain knob gives you more overdrive, right? But the other two?

[@zut25]

@@Someone-lc6dcyou would need to understand how a tube amp works, some but not all tube amps have a preamp volume and a master volume. It is do you can crank the preamp into overdrive by cranking the volume the master serves as a way to control the overall volume so its at a decent level and you don’t blow your ears off. I would suggest you lookup how tube amps work.

[@HPCAT88]

Bought mine when it released. Beautiful piece of gear. Great to see you review it.

[@christopherrice1375]

I bought the Katana Gen 3 Head a couple of weeks ago and love it.

[@temjin0014]

I bought the Katana Gen 3 head and love it. The head includes an internal small 5” speaker that sounds great for smaller rooms and everyday practicing while keeping the amp light and portable. I plug into a 2x12 greenback cab for big sound. Also, the Gen 3 head, like the Artist, has a new “bloom” setting. Which imo makes the responsiveness of the pick attack more satisfying. I never turn the bloom off because I like it so much.

[@shield400]

Been asking for a looper since the original. Think I'll keep my MK2 since for me there doesn't seem to be enough there worth upgrading.

[@Easy_Mode_Minis]

Currently in your BlIM class 1 and my wife is getting me one of the for Xmas to celebrate what I've learned so far and the work I've put in on your incredible course. That and because I'm using an old beat up 6th hand amp that I bought very cheap.

[@AaronAikensUSA]

Really appreciate the walk through! I've had a gen 3 100 for a few weeks and there's just so much to noodle around with. Super helpful to just see your default knob settings in this vid!

[@bobjohnson5218]

Great video!! Did you guys notice there's NO VIDEOS on using the Cell Phone App with the Bluetooth Adapter with the Katana Gen 3 to use tones/patches? I've got it but it takes 3-4 touches to do almost anything in selecting a tone to making changes and trying to use it. I've got a decent cell phone that doesn't have that problem with most other apps. The app is different from the USB Laptop app. Great opportunity for you to do a video on this. They say they're selling the Bluetooth Adapter like crazy. Just a thought!!

[@salvatoredelgaudio7262]

I love your guitar with a Gretsch humbucker and a Gibson humbucker! Pretty peculiar! It's pretty much like that of Luca Milieri in my country, except that has the Floyd Rose. I would greatly expect a video about that famous 1980s tone.

[@Rob_who]

Sounds as good as the 50katana which I have so boss amps just keep getting better not worse

[@rogerblack4603]

It's a great amp, but I have to disagree with Matt's comparison between a solid-state AB amp and a valve amp:- "Katana is a class AB Power amp uh so that basically is for people who don't know it's the same kind of power amp you'll find in a valve amp yes so it emulates valve amps at a kind of almost component level so you're getting the real feel".

[@brakeme1]

I bought the Artist. Love it as my living room amp.

[@jackzango7134]

Just your living room? Dude., use it live its great!

[@AngeloGiannatos]

Very good presentation, bravo. Why does the 50 have a 4 Ohms speaker while the 100 has 8 Ohms one ? What is the practical difference ? How do they behave in bedroom levels ?

[@dobiqwolf]

that is a very good question.

[@TR-uw2sp]

I run the 100 speaker in a 50 mkii ex and ran it in the 50 mki. I had no issues with the volume almost maxed on 25 watt mode.

[@GuitarManPremium]

The Katana Gen 3 is amazing. Had one for a month or two now. With as good as the Katana sounds, I don't understand the need to spend more on "high end" expensive amps.

[@IkBenSuperLief]

If you like the Katana this is a very useful video to start from and find your own tones on this amp, well done!

[@TheMrInfantaria]

Finishing the advanced module or creating videos for the missing videos of the music theory course..NOOOO . Reviewing another boss katana....YESSS

[@fastacesus8499]

Bought my Gen 3 over a month ago. Big step up in sound and dynamics compared with the 1 & 2.

[@rogersfolly]

Great review but would have been more relevant to me if you had used a Strat or 3 single coil guitar instead of an unknown pickup selection!

[@listairgin]

💯well said. I was thinking the very same thing. 👍🏻

[@brianrollins7275]

I’ll stick with my Roland blues cube. Thanks for the video. Cheers

[@jackzango7134]

Yikes! No comparison

[@jamesb8510]

Is there any reason to upgrade from mkII? Seems like basically the same thing. A great choice for a practice amp, but nothing to get too excited about.

[@Knightsie]

The MKII is still an amazing amp! And sounds great. However the big upgrade is the core engine and sound platform inside. The sound and feel are massively improved and a new channel to play around with to. But you still have a great amp with the MKII.

[@temjin0014]

I have the mk2 100 combo amp. Initially I was going to sell my mk2 after receiving the Gen 3 head. But after hooking the Gen 3 up in stereo mode with my mk2 100 for a total output of 3, 12” speakers ,the sound is just so enveloping and big, I’ll be keeping my mk2.

[@algrundau9441]

I STILL have the 100 Watt MK1 Head.....Footcontroller, Marshall cab, pedals......I don't know what I am missing maybe, but I never felt the need to upgrade even from the first version.

[@weets69]

So as a home hobbyist, is the 50 50ex or 100 watt the right one? I know the 100 is bigger and obviously more powerful, but what does the 100 do that the 50 doesn’t?

[@PooNinja]

I’m getting one soon to use with my mkII ✊🏽

[@algrundau9441]

I STILL have the 100 Watt MK1 Head....Call me crazy, but CLEAN + something from the Booster menu, Master Volume up Trick, and Voila!!!..."PUSHED" Channel....MK1 owners, UNITE!!!

[@kaitang3226]

I'm glad it is USB type C now.

[@christopher-miles]

did you change pickup at all? i think it was the bridge the whole way.

[@astewart9410]

Curious about the Bluetooth component: does it also support wireless headphones?

[@robertlyle3806]

Also ... the amp has 5 virtual slots ... Boost / Mod / Efx / Delay / Reverb but they force use of only Boosts in slot 1 and only Delays in slot 4 and reverbs in slot 5. Would be so much more flexible if they allowed and effect in any slot. For example ... the compressor cannot go before the boost. I'm a Helix Floor user and the ability to move any effect anywhere in the signal chain is VERY USEFUL.

[@jackzango7134]

I have the artist Jenn 3 100 watt and I'm able to change the order of my pedals with the boss tone Studio

[@robertlyle3806]

@@jackzango7134 ... can you put the compressor in the boost slot? If yes ... please make a video to show how. The Boss help desk said it couldn't be done.

[@greysuit17]

What guitar is that?

[@ramencafe1]

justin casually face melting haha, this amp sounds great!

[@fpvtv2222]

I'm shocked the 100watt doesn't have the bloom feature. I won't be buying that one! I'm interested in trying out the head.

[@fredricekermark]

You were really stuck on the bridge pick up!? I was interested to hear more of the neck pick up as well. Unusual review.

[@TripleMoxy9]

I wondered whether it was because the Katana can sound a bit muffled with the neck pickup on clean.

[@fredricekermark]

@@TripleMoxy9 Other vídeos, like the ones from The Studio Rats, show nothing muffled. Rather damn good sound from the katanas. Especially the Gen 3 versions.

[@meots]

And that pickup sounded atrocious. I’ve watched other videos of this amp using the neck pu on a regular Strat and it sounds glorious.

[@ddebayan1990]

Does the Gen 3 have looper and drum machine built in ?

[@timwhite5562]

All of these digital amps should have a completely flat clean channel. I mean something separate from a normal "clean," i mean something akin to running into powerr amp or an FX loop return that you can run separate preamps or modelers through. Especially when there's no FX loop. I know the old Roland Cube had a "mic" channel- i don't know why they got rid of it, since the Katana is essentially a reskinned Cube. At least it's what the Cube would have been of they didn't come out with these. It seems like the right move. I don't have the numbers but i imagine that they sold a lot more Katanas than they would have if they just put all the advancements into the Cube.

[@nopenheimer]

I think the acoustic amp setting approaches that.

[@timwhite5562]

@@nopenheimer it doesn't. I've tried it and found it to color the sound more than the normal clean. The old Mic channel was the closest. They should have a flat voice, maybe give you a 6L6/EL34 selector.

[@oscarlebassiste3530]

Nice but maybe you should tune your strat beforehand?

[@brasilianloser]

Just fyi folks... Boss Tone Studio v2 is not out for the Katanas. Was so let down when I got home with my new Katana to find that out. Makes no sense being that this amps were released prior to the update.

[@Sku11zDude]

I have the mk II, tho by the time i start earning money the mk IV-VI will probably be available.

[@JibbarJabbar]

I have the 50W version. It's convenient and I'm sure it will be reliable, but in terms of sound and feel it's not a patch on my HT5R MK2 or DSL5CR which cost similar money. Definitely one of the best solid states, just don't be taken in by the "it's like a valve amp". It really isn't!

[@madhatter1789]

How do you give feedback to Boss: There are a number of improvements that they can make especially with respect to unloading and down loading patches vis BT/USB. This applies to GX100 any any Boss device that you can control via PC or smartphone

[@robertlyle3806]

Please get the boss rep to do a detailed walk through of Boss Tone Studio.

[@jackzango7134]

There's no need for that just get the studio hook it up to the amp with a USB and just start hitting buttons and it will all make sense in just 10 minutes

[@mikevanleeuwen2858]

Thanks guys. The only thing that keeps me off ( from changing from katana 2 to gen 3 100 watt combo ) is not having the bloom function like on the head. And I do like the 100 w combo for portability . I don 't like lugging around a head and a cab . It's also way more expensive that way ( only for one settig : the bloom) but people like that function for the more tube feel. So, Boss ...please do an update for the katana 50 and 100 watt combo's and make the bloom function available in the software for the 50 and 100 . I 'll buy the gen 3 100 watt the other day .

[@michaelnelson3469]

Bloom is available on the Artist Gen 3 too, and it sounds great.

[@pavelcumpelik2264]

Looper still missing in practice amp released recently? Strange thinking..

[@csharp57]

I looking for a digital amp to give my two tubes amps a break. I was thinking about a computer rig, but I may give this amp a try. It would be cheaper. I also need to be connected to the livestream mixer and this might be the easiest way

[@chipimalwiro5165]

why just the bridge pickup??

[@CycloneJack]

You could have twice as many features, but it would still sound like a budget solid state amp, just with twice as many features.

[@ThrowAway271]

For some reason, my katana 100 is no longer recognized by my PC. I’m not sure why don’t know what change I didn’t damage the jack. It doesn’t work even on multiple PC that I tried I like it but that’s a big negative not to be able to use the software patches or to be able to easily record using the USB cord, so disappointed in this

[@Sailor92]

When we can see Boss Katana: GO again!? Thanks

[@sr6382]

hey @justinguitar, did you ask him why boss puts the knobs on the back in this model, but on the front in their "Artist" model?

[@J_Bogey]

Christian Bale really did his research for this role

[@nopenheimer]

What are you on about? That's Steven Segal.

[@J_Bogey]

@@nopenheimer He's totally a bit chubbier Christian Bale

[@lawrencesabaidu8597]

Wawoo Nice work from Uganda

[@davroshalfbeard8368]

Great set up and electronics shame about the speaker 🔊

[@MrJo0071]

I dont get it, I have the MK2 and I think is NOT A VERY GOOD SOUNDING AMP, you have to get patches to make it sound good. I had to hook up a tube screamer and a reverb pedal to get it to sound good

[@AA-os5yy]

Norm, the greatest

[@tigermoosearmy]

boss please put an effects loop in the 50

[@iam.miikey]

Waiting for Gen 4

[@michaelhawkins6149]

What's the guitar and the pickups? It sounds great and looks great. Fantastic review of the Katana. Thank you.

[@skanara1975]

wish you had of cranked the gain :)

[@jimmathews8427]

Lol oh shit I'm baked and it's time for a review, yeah yeah,right yeah. All in fun great playing

[@toledo2983]

the big advantage of digital is to have few thousand preset saving options. Why only 8 Preset Options, and thousands of Amp &FX Options possible???? This makes it unuseable in my eyes.

[@2000SkyView]

pushed sounds a little bit like blues driver tone

[@Psyclonus7]

no one ever tests this amp with a les paul or any other guitar than a fender stratocaster which is the middle aged dad guitar. it's really weird.

[@samhill5231]

Uh, what...Europe only, Justin...really!

[@maxkraus9614]

Can it really be called a review if the guy from boss is there giving out talking points?

[@o.b.7217]

If I ask the BOSS guy something and he answers....yes! You have eyes and ears, don't you?

[@CycloneJack]

@o.b.7217 You don't understand what a review actually is, I suspect, so allow me to give you a guide. Ask yourself these two questions: 1. How many clearly negative things did Justin point out about the amp? 2. Is the amp perfect? If the answer to Number 1 is "None" and the answer to number 2 is "No", then it's not a review. It's a sales pitch.

[@o.b.7217]

@@CycloneJack I repeat my question: you have eyes and ears, don't you?

[@fullmetalsal]

Yes he’s reviewing his own product. Technically still a review along the lines of an overview.

[@thefallenslavesusall1857]

Oh my justin van guitar 😂

[@raulrgh]

Should have added a tuner

[@Albatross_Ace]

More Van Halen!!!

[@fullmetalsal]

Life’s too short to have everything at noon.

[@Alex-p8v6l]

Norm RockDonald

[@justgetitdoneman]

to use a amp with that least amount of gain and then hear the electric guitar acoustically in a review video is not a great representation... no offence but to hear the strike of the strings acoustically rather than through the amp is kind of meh sounding ... its like driving a car in 1st gear all day ... respectfully ...

[@iloveitall]

Katana 1: 200,- Katana 2: 260,- Katana 3: 330,- Katana 4: Ok, take my house. Shameless greed for the same effects since ever from the company that like no other raised prices during the covid crisis and beyond. Get something better you dont feel ripped off, people!

[@andrewtownsley823]

Wait until you see tube amp prices... For what you get with the Katana, its a fair price.

[@Alex_U]

why cheap out on Bluetooth, BOSS? who doesn't want app capabilities out of the box?? show at least one person!

[@jorgecosta5374]

Sorry, note for me.

[@RomainG6409]

Bluetooth feature not included ? pass ... that's a shame in 2024 !

[@steelcitytbirds]

Right? It'd be better to make everyone pay for it regardless if they need it or not.

[@RomainG6409]

@@steelcitytbirdsif it's there (which is the case on the Katanas, it is built in the Boss BT-Dual Bluetooth Adaptor plays the "activation role") why not offering it no matter if you need it or not : Positiv Grid (all models including the latest Spark 2 50w), the recent Yamaha THR 10 or 30, Blackstar, Nux, Mooer, Hotone, Marshall, Vox, Harley Benton ... no matter the prices' amps, they offer it, why not Boss ? a shame and a petty ...

[@jojolapraline]

Avoid playing Van Halen 🙂

[@hustlinc3540]

tune that guitar FFS

[@meots]

Those pickups sound really brittle and harsh especially on the cleaner tones. Would’ve been a much more effective review if you had used both a regular strat and LP.

[@Evil.Turkey]

I bought the Katana and I’m not pleased with it. Don’t recommend it.

[@IkBenSuperLief]

Me too, the gen 3 head, I didn’t like it at all , send it back after 1 day. I still have the Bluetooth device hanging around but not Katana gen 3 for me.

[@InspirationSessions]

Love your work but not a huge fan of these reviews/product placement spots, sorry Justin

[@JudgeFredd]

Why that can you please elaborate as I was thniking about buying one…

[@JudgeFredd]

@@IkBenSuperLief Why that ? Was the Mark II that different ?

[@danielpalm9091]

@@JudgeFredd Troll alert! He probably doesn't even play guitar

[@JanLaw84]

Slightly out of tune Justin?

[@ejebiga]

We WANT, a Bluetooth GA-FC 6 footswitch!!!!!!