8 Awesome Facts You (Probably) Didn't Know About The BOSS Katana!

[@necurrence1776]

Before this amp hit the market, people would turn away in disgust saying practice amps with in-built effects all sound awful. The Katana changed the guitar world. It's probably the most popular amp in our time.

[@behar]

I just bought this amp. I was planning on buying the Fender mustang until I read the reviews about the BK. Overwhelming praise about these amps, I had to grab it instead. It does indeed live up to the praise.

[@kerrywilliams8100]

I would argue that the original fender mustang amps were the amps that changed the world. Unfortunately Fender didn’t support the amps even though they were flying off the shelves. Then they came out with the hideous mustang gt and that was the end of that.

[@behar]

@Magic_Ghost just follow the instructions… it’s a certain button sequence you have to push it’s not hard

[@necurrence1776]

@Magic_Ghost similar story, at first I couldn't connect the Katana to my laptop so I started blaming the Katana. After a while I realised my laptop was wack. The Katana actually connects better to a phone via Katana Librarian.

[@rullya11]

@@necurrence1776how you did it?

[@IamMusicNerd]

My biggest surprise was with my Katana head. I did not realize the head has a built in practice speaker. So I don’t need a Spark or Yamaha practice amp anymore. It can be a small portable practice amp, or a massively powerful 100w head when connected to a cabinet. So versatile.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

That's really cool!

[@klopfer_im_baellebad]

Awesome 😮

[@SiddharthKarunakaran]

You got everything right except when you said portable for it doesn't run on batteries.

[@viktorstorelv]

How is the sound on the built-in? Today i use a katana mini at home, enough sound for my ears(hyperacusius etc). Also enough for my lovely neighbors hehe.

[@mikem2535]

One thing with this head is that it’s way overpriced. It’s only a few bucks cheaper than the combo unit. I own a Katana amp and love it; however, the marketing/pricing tactics of most companies is just deplorable. All done to maximize their profit and stick it to the consumer.

[@NWTMasterWolf]

I am a beginner and this amp is taking me on a journey of learning and great sound. Been a singer all my life but at 57yo picked up the guitar. Blows my mind what I can do with this amp. I love mine.

[@michaelthomas9991]

How awesome, man! Age should not stop those of us who are older than 50 to start playing guitar. I’m guessing you have music in your head that almost demands to be expressed. It’s not about others hearing it or not. Is it like a 24 hours-per-day jukebox that you cannot turn off???

[@BuckJoFiden]

A valve purist friend of mine and a great rock player, walked into my lounge room took a look at my MKII 100 and says “what’s that bloody thing doing here?” He knows all the old Marshall’s boogies and fenders I’ve owned. He then plugged in and I couldn’t get him off it for 40 mins. He’s got one too now 👍

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I absolutely love mine. Never going back on the Katana. Currently have the 50w mk2 but now ordering the 100w 2x12. During my uni years I owned two Roland Cubes, one after the other. They were incredible predecessors to the Katana. It’s incredible to see what you can get from the amps these days.

[@ctnicetune141]

I've read in other reviews that the 2x12 doesn't sound as good. Make sure it's the same speaker...

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

@@ctnicetune141 Many thanks for the heads up - I didn’t know that. Perhaps the Artist is worth the extra money after all.

[@pawlpoche8736]

I have a Tele and an SG with a Boss katana. That’s all you need. If you can’t do it with that, then you can’t play.

[@christianescobar7618]

CKY - Disemgage the Simulator! I’m glad I’m not the only one who jams their other songs!

[@dgv646]

Nobody knows who they are and nobody cares

[@n0cturnalsurfer]

@@dgv646 old CKY rules

[@wdpk837]

@@n0cturnalsurferagree

[@dirktucker77]

I'm only 2yrs in but i play/ practice every single day. a few months ago I said screw it and bought the Boss katana artist with the newest version foot pedal. I could not be happier with the tones, the ease of use, the tone studio patches ect.

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

I've used the 100WMKII for a couple of years now. I picked up an Artist, but the smaller 100w is so good and lighter, so the Artist is where I teach. One thing I love is how clear chords with tensions are with the different distortions, especially the Crunch.

[@scouser2230]

I have seen quite a few reviews of the Boss Katana range on KZbin, and without exception they all speak glowingly of the phenomenal tones, utility, flexibility and value for the price of this line of amps. Based on these reviews I have ordered a Boss Katana Artist and I can’t wait to start exploring and playing through this amp.

[@milkandmeat]

They are all paid advertisements, they literally get money to speak glowingly about the Katana

[@Headknocks]

Great choice. Wish I would have spent the extra and got the artist. You will have a ball with it

[@nazmoking3171]

What’s the advantage of the artist?

[@scouser2230]

@@nazmoking3171 The Artist has a higher quality speaker that has an improved sound, also the controls are in the front which is easier to adjust, rather than on the top.

[@scouser2230]

The Guitar Geek has a shootout video comparing these two amps where you can hear the difference in sound/tone of them both. He concluded that he liked them both but preferred the sound of the Artist. It has more warmth in the bottom end. If you are considering which amp to buy I recommend you watch his video.

[@michaeldean7220]

USB into your laptop for editing the tone studio is the only weakness for me. I wish it had Bluetooth and then ability to edit on a mobile app.

[@ckallaher]

The “crank the master volume” tip is the single best tip on the Katana there is. Really adds some sizzle to all of the amp voices. The other fun facts are great too, Dagan. Always awesome content!

[@adiohead]

7:34 _"I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride. I'm wanted (wanted), dead or alive."_

[@Gk2003m]

After decades of tube amps, I just recently got a Katana. One thing: it requires humbucking pickups, or very quiet (ie jazz) gain circumstances. But once you’ve got that, it excels. The MkII 50 (on Clean amp type) is entirely sufficient for jazz, even with a full band. Run the Volume and Master around 75% or higher, and use the Gain control for system volume. With the Acoustic amp type, the Katana also excels with classical and dreadnought acoustic guitars. And its effects are good enough to find use in any of those contexts if you choose. This is far more than a ‘practice’ amp.

[@michaeledmondsonrock]

I have the bass version and I just dialed in a "dark glass" tone that thumps! Love Katana.

[@tommythiel9268]

I wish that they made a Bass head 😔

[@edwardcastro6864]

i've had mine 2yrs i love it .truly amazing just paired it with a 12in 100w alnico . went to an unbelivable sound, fell deeper in love with it. thank you for recommend it back then. couldn't live without now.wonderful piece of gear!!!!!

[@j-pastel-yellow]

this video couldn’t be better timed for me personally. i just bought a katana mkii 100 the other day, and it’ll arrive in the next day or two. i know very little about these amps other than the digital amp thing and built in effects, so again, this video came out right when i needed it

[@Ray-Angel]

You're right. There's a Katana to fit every need. I use the line out in the head into my home mixer/interface for recording, into FOH for playing live and the built in speakers for low volume practice. Absolutely the most amp for my money.

[@PMTVUK]

🤘 🤘

[@douglasreindal284]

I have the 50 and the 100 and love them both! Thank u for the info on the power amp and how it works, I always wondered why my Metal Zone sounded better going in the back in power amp in!

[@Owen_plays_music1049]

I bought this same Katana 50 MK2 and it's awesome for the price !

[@wulverad6369]

Starting off with CKY! You know your stuff. This is awesome!

[@jurgenhuman8417]

Just ordered the bass version of the katana. Really enjoyed the video and can't wait!! Haven't told the missus yet that we're expecting a delivery 😇

[@michaelgnapp3571]

I got a Katana 100-212 when they first came out. Liked it so much I bought two 50s to run stereo off my pedalboard. Then they introduced the MkII series, with stereo expand. Gave the two 50s to grandkids. Now I have TEN Katanas, working a permanent immersive surround project from a 5-channel control pedalboard, in a studio large enough to do private shows for audiences up to 50. Centered is a MkII Head/Artist/212 Cab stack in stereo link. Sidestage are two MkII artists linked in stereo expand. Near-stage sides are two MkII 100s linked in stereo expand. Near to back-of-room sides are two Katana 100-212s, stereo off pedal fx. Back-of-room are two more MkII 100s linked in stereo expand. Each of the master amps in master/slave configuration is programmed with its own unique eq and fx, as are each of the two Katana 100/212s, that don't have the stereo expand feature. Two stereo reversible expression pedals serve to pan between the four peripheral amp channels, moving sound from one location to another, all around the room. The sound is incredible without being too loud. I have no way to capture that sound in recording - it's one of those "you gotta be there" things, aimed specifically at audiences into deep psychedelia. I couldn't do this with anything but Katanas. Here's to Boss for providing high-quality sound for low-budget artists! Cheers!

[@vladimircenakovic4377]

Souds like the work of a evil genius!

[@michaelgnapp3571]

@@vladimircenakovic4377 Ha! This is what happens when a musician gets burned out on Burning Man.

[@TMFJ983]

Holy shit😂

[@stevebon9688]

Love the review Dagan of the Boss Katana, I have the 100w version which I got from PMT Portsmouth. Also, well played Dagan as usual 😉 👍

[@davidsummerville351]

Glad I picked up my 50 mk2 almost 2 years ago. No reason not to own one. Thanks, Boss.

[@herethereandeverywhere4590]

Hi.. is it stereo?

[@James-ju4gj]

Bought a KTN100 on the week it released and it's been my number 1 practice and band amp ever since. Still finding new tricks but it's the basics that it gets right and damn, does it get it right.

[@puttsky7]

Hi Dagan, your one of the few KZbin guitar personalities who I enjoy listening to actually play! Kudos!

[@pixieloco]

got a Katana 100/212 five years ago. I mainly use it on the clean channel with pedals. love the cleans and the headroom, I went for the combo and not the head because it is harder to steal. 🤣

[@bellal.6581]

Thank you❤ What my uncles fire from their tube amplifiers, they now hear from my Katana MKII. Now they are pondering whether they should sell Marshall amps and pedalboards and take a long summer vacation. They feel betrayed😂

[@kensmith7613]

I run my Line 6 Pod Go into the power amp in, sounds great.

[@shanejb2121]

Been playing for 42 yrs, and owned many tube amps from Fender, Vox, Marshall, and Peavey over the years. Still have my 74 Marshall Super Lead, and love it to death, but since Covid/supply chain, the war in Ukraine, and Chinese tube manufacturing losses, power tubes as well as other quality parts it needs have been hard if not impossible to come by, so I use it sparingly atm. I'd long heard about the Katanas, but decided to finally pull the trigger last month on a 50 MKII. "Wow!" Is all I can say. Irs simply fantastic, and honestly has reinvigorated my playing...Its that inspiring and versatile, and at a phenomenal price point to boot. Ive still got to try the Tone Studio/Librarian, but its been amazing on its own. Thanks for the great video.

[@rubenaguirrejr.7781]

My tour days are over, subsequently, tubes and stacks no longer a part of my arsenal. I Mostly do retreats and Mass for Life Teen so I needed something that I can use without the need for extra FX pedals…in comes the Katana Mk50 and man did I make the right choice…I’m not all that software savvy but some Rat in a Studio that I found here on you tube opened up a universe of patches and settings. I couldn’t be happier!

[@kevinturvey8213]

the acoustic sounded amazingly good

[@Paul-D]

Such an awesome amp. Ive had/got a few valve amps now including a Jubillee and still use my katana the most 😅

[@OriginalBadRobotz]

Love my mk2! So many sounds and unlimited possibilities!

[@AustinMChabraMusic]

I worked at a big box store, and was the top salesperson in my district, the Katana was my best seller, I was the first person to sell one of the entire range within a week. I sold the head and wireless unit to a decently well-known southern rocker for his son, even had a guy trade his JVM in for the katana 100 2x12 and a Heilux. I love these amps and swear by them.

[@astewart9410]

Brilliant. I've got a 50 MkI and a 50 MkII connected via Radial Big Shot for wet/dry glory. So versatile, sound great, love these little amps!

[@tatehenson3611]

I will say I bought the exact amp he using here a week ago along with a squier paranormal custom nashville strat, i have yet to even plug in to computer for more effects, but this amp is versatile as heck. Had a fender mustang for a while and didnt care for effects, but with the katana i enjoy playing with the factory built in setting. Was like $250 us and you cant beat that!

[@EvacTheGreat]

All I gotta say is that I was on a solid state amp hunt for months. It came down to the line 6 catalyst and the boss katana mk2 100. The katana is soooooo cool! I can gig with it, record in the studio, busk you name it. This amp is a do all beast. 10/10 would recommend to any skill level guitarist. You will not regret it I promise. And great video brotha! Love your content🌊

[@matthewtucker5439]

Loved the cky riffs!

[@thecaliforniaguru]

Awesome I got a boss katana 50 gen3 today

[@danemyburgh]

Just ordered a Boss Mk2 100 1x12

[@billyfubar2748]

Bruh, really appreciated hearing disengage the simulator riff...it was basically spot on, tone wise

[@nathanbraddon7]

i would highly recommend the katana librarian for mobile devices, unlike the boss tone studio it allows you to create a custom fx chain. i dont know why but the noise gate by default is in the middle of the fx chain which makes it practically useless but with the katana librarian you can put it right after the input.

[@bretttrommler756]

Okay, I’ve had the Katana 100 MkII head going through the Katana 212 cab for about four or five weeks now. I’ve tried all kinds of different tone settings including these from Ola. I have yet to find anything that I truly like. Everything sounded like it was getting some kind of harmonic interference. I even tried some pedals into the amp input using the vaunted KSR Ceres preamp. I also started using headphones so I could really listen to the tone to see what it was I thought I was hearing. Well, what I found was that when I played a single note, especially in the higher frequencies, say, G string 12th fret or higher, if I just played one note and held it, I could always hear some kind of slow warble or oscillation in the tone. It’s not as evident when playing a clean tone but with any kind of a high gain tone it is very evident. I’ve played around with different high gain built in devices on the amp and they all do it. Wondering if it was the guitar (Jackson JS32 DKA with stock pickups), I tried three other guitars, each with different pickups. A 1978 Les Paul with factory humbuckers, a 1980 Flying V2 with factory single coil boomerang pickups, and I even tried my grandson’s Squier Strat with its factory single coil pickups. All four guitars had the same issue… any kind of high gain signal from the guitar whether it be from a preamp/distortion/overdrive pedal or from one of the modeled pedals internal to the Katana, they all had that oscillating harmonic warble, most noticeable on the higher notes. So the next thing I’m gonna do is try these same guitars through my audio interface into a DAW and see if I can get a nice clear tone. Anyone else have such an issue with the Katana? I’ll let y’all know what happens with the audio interface/DAW.

[@338mag]

You ever figure out your issue?

[@georgehyde696]

I have both a GX100 and ME80 multi-effects processors and have been using my Katana combos exactly like fact#5 through the power amp in. Works well for me with all my settings at my feet. If I book and play a show where there's a backline I need to use, I just grab my guitar(s) and floorboard as a fly rig and off I go!

[@craigthomson3621]

Wish the 50w had an effects loop.

[@BedeLaplume]

That acoustic channel makes this amp a very versatile quality amp indeed for the money..

[@brandonmec32]

Thanks for reminding me which riff I wanted to learn!!! Disengage!!

[@rickbrunet2559]

I have the 50 watt. And thing is amazing. I jam with it over drums and I haven't even had the volume at noon yet!

[@michaelhawkes5110]

I wish there was a way to send a direct stereo out to pa with a single Katana!

[@vorpalblades]

The MK2 can do it.

[@ynot6473]

@3,32, class D power amps are not actually digital. digital is binary code, class D is switch mode, pulse width modulation. it's analogue chopped up.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Class D is good for subwoofers, that's about it.

[@SdMbL1]

I recently bought the 50 ex and a Marshall code. The Katana is the better amp for sure, the code (modeling amp) has a better foot switch. You can save 30 different presets on it and turn on and off all the effects for each preset. The Boss is more user friendly on the panel, sounds a lot better, but the Marshall is more friendly on the foot switch and it’s variety is insane. I prefer sound over variety but would be nice to have more than 8 presets on the foot switch.

[@juanchos097]

Always informative. Thanks!

[@hushpuppykl]

The Katana 50 makes sense if you want to keep things simple. Built in effect and 4 presets for storage. All you need it just the foot switch.

[@yaskyjr4592]

You are a fantastic guitarist and now someone that I want to play like

[@Deadhansome]

Love mine. 3 different patches set for my Tele Les Paul and Strat. Sounds mint.

[@dan_kay]

In the Boss Tone Studio, I can model any amp I want. The true power of the Katana is the library and the editor in the Tone Studio app.

[@DrGray-qh6ow]

"Bloody Fantastic" - Love the amp and Dagan's slurry narrative

[@cherontippett7690]

Finally after a million KZbin clips on many amps in this class someone talks. About jamming with drums good on you mate

[@MaTtRoSiTy]

Many will laugh at me but one thing I did not know... is that you can connect this amp to your PC lol. I only grabbed one from the store as they are really cheap and I just wanted a small basic amp with reverb and didn't even consider any other potential. Very pleasant surprise this thing I bought has all this potential I had no idea about

[@zipporaid]

Hopefully in v3 they add a frfr input block, so quick eq changes to a helix can be done on stage 😊

[@petemcr]

That intro riff definitely was or sounded like disengage the simulator by CKY

[@a2zonlineunboxing873]

Sir Boss katana mk2 50 watt Vs Blackstar ID core 40 Which is better? Want to buy but cofused. Pls help🙏. Thnx in advance

[@Tilbily]

Is it possible to use a passive soundhole pickup in an acoustic, play it through a Katana ? Or does it still need to first go through a separate preamp box before the katana ?

[@markrandall2668]

Why would you need a separate preamp box? It's all in the amp. You can use a separate box I guess, but not necessary. Just buy the pedal or an airstep.

[@Tilbily]

@@markrandall2668 appreciate the response. I would have thought more people would respond, too. I know nothing about how all this works, hence the question before I spend. So I assume, then, that the only reason people use an active pickup is to plug direct into a PA system ?

[@kevinmoore153]

Was that CKY I heard at the beginning?

[@ravenstrange8466]

I had no idea about this. Incredible piece of equipment

[@tommythiel9268]

I wish that they made a Bass head 😔

[@bassplyr13]

5:00 I love this channel, but there is literally ZERO tonal difference. The point of the channel volume is to help match volumes across patches while setting the overall level with the Master.

[@bosscoassociates5638]

Was not expecting the disengage the simulator riff at fuckin all. Love me some cky

[@ro307805]

Its the only solid state amp i own but uts very nice . I like it very much. I had a gig with his 50 watt combo and my little vox ac10c smoked it no matter what he did. It just didnt have that presence no matter how loud he turned it up

[@RomainG6409]

just missing an effect loop to reach the perfection ... should be mandatory on any amp in 2023 ... it is a flaw that justify a no go for me. I know, there is the 100w katana, but why not on the smaller ones ?

[@mattball420]

You literally just had to sacrifice your eardrums for some overdrive back in the day or cut your speakers for some distortion lol im greatful for their struggles paving the way for our liesurley guitar effects today

[@greg19561]

I wanted to like this amp, since I was looking for something that I could use for practise as well as small gigs. Unfortunately, the Katana sounds thin, muddy and boxy. If you dial up the Gain and Presence, you can get something close to a Vox, but that's about it. There’s virtually no bass, and when you hike up the bass, the amp sounds like it’s muffled, as though a blanket has been thrown over it. A far better choice is to save up another $700 and buy a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

[@justakissinla]

Do they make a footswitch for that amp

[@brentmydland5176]

Dagan! Nice CKY riff!

[@PMTVUK]

🤘 🤘

[@randall4411]

The Katana pre Amp is more effective than most amps . I can dial in any sound quickly . Works great with pedals , Strats , Or humbuckers .

[@nickhartman6372]

Righteous cKy riff at the intro my brother 🤘

[@rubenaguirrejr.7781]

I really do enjoy your videos…I plan on using this live on stage but I Don not have a pedal to toggle through the four presets. Can you be so kind as to tell me if this is possible without a foot switch while on a live performance

[@shalomshalom735]

good video. certainly the best amp I played!

[@lolobuggah2670]

It's a modeling amp. There are tube amps, solid state amps and modeling amps. The Katana fits in the third category.

[@charlesnorwich5932]

Hey Dagan, are you using only the amp or are using some pedals too in order to obtain those sounds? Thanks in advance

[@PMTVUK]

Just the amp and the built in effects! 🤘

[@charlesnorwich5932]

@@PMTVUK wow, that's great 👍 Thank you for your reply

[@christophervincent8420]

Dam! I forgot about the acoustic input.

[@macleod41069]

Can you edit it with an iPad using tone studio?

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I use an Egnater Tweaker 15 through an Egnater Rebel 1x12, but my son needs a decent amp, may look into the Katana line.

[@jamdalf4343]

If you guys are pretty good then you'll probably want a Katana Artist. Right now at Sweetwater the new Katana Artist MK2 100watt Head costs US $570.00 (no speaker) but a US $600.00 Katana Artist MK2 100watt Combo comes with a US $225.00 Boss Waza 12" speaker and can still power cabinets like the new KA Head. So for thirty dollars more you get a two hundred twenty five dollar speaker! Maybe get him two KA Combos so he can have 200watts of Stereo Linked POWER, Hell-yeah! 🤘

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

@@jamdalf4343 I'm trying to get him a job with me, it pays well, maybe he can save up for something cool like that!

[@jamiebriggs8277]

I have both, and I love both. Impressed with what the tweaker can do for such a small and relatively inexpensive amp, but the katana is really hard to beat for versatility, and all of the built in effects. I will say the GAFC makes a huge difference, so I'd suggest getting a version that supports it. The 100, Head, Artist, and the new 50 MkII EX all do, but the older regular 50 (MkI or MkII) does not.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

@@jamiebriggs8277 Good to know, the GAFC is the floor controller, correct?

[@jamiebriggs8277]

@@scramblesthedeathdealer correct

[@Haddley333]

Love my boss mk2 100. It’s almost perfect

[@kremepye3613]

I often thinking about buying a tube amp alongside my katana but i just couldn't justify it. Katana is too good

[@brooksrownd2275]

Is that a prototype of Dagan's signature Kramer? ;)

[@NintenDub]

Cky babbyy. An answer can be found, was an amazing album

[@PorkchopExpression]

I had the 100w, but every distortion had the same slightly annoying tone. I gave it to my buddy and he likes it though.

[@markrandall2668]

I don't use the fx distortions. The 10 settings on the preamp are all you need with the right gain should give you quite a variety of sounds. If you want digital distortion sounds use a digitech 360 or similar pedal board.

[@BenCowles]

What was the song Dagan was playing at the beginning of the vid? I know it, but can't remember it.

[@ralphieralph9176]

Is the airstep kat a better footswitch?

[@brandog5702]

Love love my katana 100. But actual fx pedals sound soooooo much better than the on board effects. The katana takes pedals very very well. And having and fx loop makes a world of difference

[@joekelly9369]

Can i ise the katana 50 mk 2 EX as a cabinet with my mk 2 head

[@mountkarate-nunchucka]

love my katana but acoustic line level is so low

[@DrMurdercock]

THe longer I own my Katana, the more sounds I have discovered it can make. I have one of the nassssssssstieest extreme metal tones from it

[@thejuggernaut5327]

I’m sold Dagan, I’ll be round to pick it up in-30.

[@xTOILETMASTERx]

CKY so good!

[@Vegitobluuuuu]

Is Blackstar Silverline a modeling amp or no ?

[@jonathanmidgette807]

Does this apply to the original or just the MKII

[@kidr5510]

What is a katana keyboard amp called?