Boss Katana Artist Showdown: GEN 3 vs MKII - Is the Upgrade Worth It?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

If you could add one feature to the Katana, what would it be? Get your Boss Katana Gen 3 at Sweetwater(US 🇺🇸) sweetwater.sjv.io/55jaYL Get your Boss Katana Gen 3 at Thomann (EU 🇪🇺) thmn.to/thocf/0b4i6744t8 Get your Boss Katana Gen 3 at Andertons (UK🇬🇧) elkqr.link/andertons-kat-gen3

[@PooNinja]

Id add a second fx loop one for post pre amp and one at the end just before the power amp to allow WDW and a looper ( like Dale) right at the end. 😊 ( and they should both be stereo!!! )

[@johnoakleymusic]

Australia by the Manics in the intro there young man?

[@jackschijven8219]

@@TheGuitarGeek Bluetooth connection with a phone app boss tone studio or alike

[@StavK]

The little speaker in the 100w head is a sleeper? Ultimate all in one package, bedroom use in a gigging amp. Add that to the Artist head

[@mycosys]

A much more powerful processor to get rid of that last bit of aliasing - the next gen in dev now with current processors should be amazing, this has likely been in dev for years. But wow its a big improvement on mk2

[@temjin0014]

I upgraded from a Mk2 100 to a Gen 3 100 Head. I love it. I always use bloom and the head’s internal speaker is nice to have for around the house mobility reasons. I kept my Mk2 around to run my setup in stereo mode. Everything sounds so big and epic now.

[@hawedehre]

0:50 Everyone should have a Katana 50 except me. I happily sold it and never missed it. Great relief that it found a better home.

[@mycosys]

Please dont leat anyone using one near me, the aliasing is awful.

[@adaire451]

I think it should be noted that the 100W Katana Head has a built in speaker whereas the Artist Head does not. That was the ultimate deal breaker for me and why I went for the Katana Head instead of the Artist Head. I still have the Bloom and Contour controls on the 100W Head so I didn't see the Artist Head having "enough more" features to warrant the price tag and not have that 5 inch speaker.

[@andrewbecker3700]

The Artist has better connectivity. That's about it. But with Bluetooth now as an option? Not sure how much difference it'd make. XLR outs is all that separates them.

[@brandonpoole1670]

What cab are you using with the Katana head?

[@adaire451]

@@brandonpoole1670 Right now I don't have the money for a cabinet so I'm using the built in speaker of the head, which sounds pretty good. It's not a cabinet quality but it works for now until I have the money for a cabinet.

[@brandonpoole1670]

@@adaire451 Yeah, they aren’t cheap! Andertons has an interesting video where they swap speakers in a Katana and A/B them to a stock Katana. The stock Boss speaker did surprisingly well. I’ve been on the fence about which Katana to get, 50 vs 100, head vs combo, etc. I have a couple 1x12 cabs but they aren’t rated to handle 100 watts. Anyways, enjoy the Katana and good luck with whatever cabinet you end up choosing.

[@tooter5250]

Great video. I loved how you stepped through the basic sound settings, and focused on the improvements with the gen 3 artist. Very imformative. I just purchased the gen 3 artist combo for my son. I was a bit worried that it would be over his head as he does not have that much experience with amps, but he quickly (during his first use!) picked up on the various settings and some of the nuances and interactions. I helped a bit guide him through it, but the amp controls are pretty intuitive. We just focused on the panel, not yet into the software. I thinkk that scares him. He playis both electric and acoustic and the Katana acoustic channel is just great, what a nice feature. It sounded good. Thanks again.

[@Idgolfguy]

Thanks

[@JojoFryrocks]

Love the fact that you played In Bloom to demo the bloom button! ❤

[@SamBrockmann]

The Bloom button is a huge asset, imho. 🤘🔥

[@JimThompson-i3u]

Being the owner of a Mk II Katana Artist I was going to upgrade to the Mk III Artist. Instead, I bought a Laney LF Super 60 212. I haven't turned on the Katana since.

[@geordiedog1749]

I’ve a mkI 50. I love it. I’m a total analog snob as well. I’ve tried not to like it but it’s just lush.

[@PapawCulberson]

If you own this amp you aren't a snob on any level.

[@ValiRossi]

I've had the Artist Mkii with the Waza speaker for two years. I still love it. I also love my new Tonex pedal.

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I upgraded to a Gen 3 Artist combo. And yes; the ‘bloom’ feature remains ‘on’ for every single preset I’ve created. It’s a must. And the amp is sheer perfection. Something about the Waza speaker is that little bit more special.

[@bonedale]

Version 4 it is!

[@Colosus23]

Ive gigged a MkI 100 head which I still own, and an MkII artist head my drummer owns. I skipped upgrading to the MkII, but I finally went from the MkI to the Gen 3 and in the world of high gain its my favorite for sure. I can understand people not needing to upgrade from the MkII artist head though. Id never buy any of the combo's because I enjoy matching up different cabs and tweeking the sound to taste from there. I think they ALL can achieve beautiful cleans and convincing crunch sounds. The upper mids in the MkI are weird, and it doesn't cut as well as the MkII artist with variation does... but ive really enjoyed the new voicings in the Gen 3 quite a bit, and to me they are more pleasing to my taste and I dont see needing another one, even if they were to add more feature to a another version.

[@michaelbradley8937]

Great review and comparisons, thank you!

[@darklight4815]

Mk2 head guy here...the new features are great but for a bedroom rockstar like myself I definitely don't need it at the moment, although it's tempting...a working guitarist could certainly benefit from the upgrades but sadly I have way more gear than free time to play these days...most of my gear could probably pass for new condition it's got so little use. 😢😅 Great comparison you did here man, excellent video 👍

[@mycosys]

Think of the cab resonance like the body of an acoustic - & the knob is kinda a balance between the body and the string sound (like the mic on the tail and the mic on the 12th fret). The resonant freq will change depending on what cab model you use - bigger cabs will have bassier resonances, a 1x10 will be much higher (and less complex) than a 4x12. It makes the note kinda longer and more harmonic, its a bit like the filter on a synth (and why i use cabinets on a synth).

[@ehabsh9427]

Thanks for the review. As a Katana MkII owner I find no compelling reasons to upgrade to Gen 3. The emphasis on the bloom switch and the push channel hasn't convinced me, and the other similar channels in the amps sounded so close to each other. If you add pedals to the signal chain, you gain more control on shaping the tone in MkII than what you get in Gen 3.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Well said! I agree with you totally

[@trevorarthurson6815]

At last with the bloom feature, the Katana sounds like a decent amp.

[@jarretthinds5621]

Thanks for the video. I own four Gen 3 amps and agree with everything you said. Bloom is where its at with this thing. I wish Bloom was on the 50 EX. Also, these amps need a tuner in them. It's silly they don't have one.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

If you'd saved this video til April 1st, then said you'd pranked us all by using one amp for all the demos I'd have believed you. Try as I might the differences (at least in the video audio, but maybe not in the room) were too subtle to care. What would I add to the katana? An fx loop on the 50 so I wasnt forced to buy a 100.

[@PooNinja]

Don’t forget the Bluetooth and footswitchs!!!!! Such an amazing tool

[@MrSteviethegreat]

@@PooNinja I have a Bluetooth foot switch for my mk2 katana.

[@JakubK182]

26:34 Boss Tone Studio says hellooo to the beginners 😆 I wanna buy Artist combo next month, it's gonna be bananas (hope so, never heard that amp live, but I'm excited af)

[@angusmoffat]

Now if Boss could link a boost of 15 decibals or so to the bloom feature they'd have a near perfect amp. Even so, the Boss Artist Gen 3 is the best amp pound for pound I've ever heard. Incredible. Boss is gonna sell a ton of these.

[@mkrj2576]

The Kats sound good. But I’d trade in many of the bells and whistles for a face mounted multi band slider eq (? 7 band maybe), a tuner, and blue tooth to play backing tracks …. Maybe it has that last one. The multi band eq is especially useful when running a line out to a PA.

[@secretdaisy6484]

For the record, I bought the BK Gen 3 Head, not the Artist. I’m a beginner and thought this would be the perfect practice amp 🎶 with all the built in features and the 5” speaker which is just awesome. I would rather have the controls on the front but when I get better I can upgrade. And after your demo I see that on my GAS horizon. I can play in the living room of my apartment and not aggravate the neighbors ☝️with this amp. It’s a really sweet amp 🤩. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵Happy New Year 🎉🍾🥂

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Controls on the front is much better but I wish the regular head had them

[@tymanngruter1808]

That bloom switch makes it an allround beast, and that without any tubes..... i need one now cause the tubes are getting out off sale i think!

[@outermarker5801]

26:30 If you check Reddit though, it's the back end Katana stuff that confuses people (drivers, BTS, etc etc), and that applies to the entire line from 50 to Artist. As a recently deflowered amp virgin ;), I just got the Gen 3 50 because I wanted the 12" speaker and light weight for just noodling at home. BTS (PC and App) plus stereo hph out are sweet! Speaking of controls - surely a tuner in a mere fw update? Agreed it's high time Boss included a tuner mode.

[@richardclark.]

In bloom was cheeky but you should have tried Bloomfield to see who noticed. That said, I am sure Boss marketing used the term "bloom", because of its association with tube sound. I find it brilliant and slimy at the same time.

[@dbmabe]

I bought the Gen 1 50W as soon as they came out and loved it. Unfortunately, I fell on hard times and had to sell it along with other gear. I finally got a MKII a couple of years ago. While it still has that Katana greatness, I was a little annoyed that they got rid of the "kickstand" with the MKII. But they are definitely great amps. I've always wanted to get the Artist moded. Or at least play around with one.

[@NeungView]

Buy a stand and screw it on yourself.

[@Guitarnivore]

I loved the USB-C as well and I'm usually a very carefull person with my gear, but I've broken one cable and I almost broke the port on my 100 gen 3 head forgetting about it when trying to move it. Lesson learned.

[@Rikamortis6stringer]

Great video, The artist always sounded better to me anyway! Btw there is a tuner You just have to access it. Thanks Andy See you on the next one😊 oh one more thing I have a Mark II 100

[@truthwinseverytime8805]

Where do you access it?

[@TheCyberMantis]

Just get the Gen3 head. It's $329 right now. ( Only 2 days left on the sale. ) It does everything and it's affordable.

[@RoodyH]

AT LAST! The video I didn't want to see... not gonna watch it, so ner! Okay, I watched it... DAMN YOU Andy!!!! As a fellow lover/user of the MkII - I also thought the Gen3 wasn't offering much extra, but after both yours and Dave Simpson's comparison vids, it's clear Boss really did bring some new spangles, sprinkles and sparkles to the party with the G3. After this past week, both my liver and kidneys are no longer of any good use to medical science and so I will have to try and find some other viable organs or irreplaceable family heirlooms to sell on the black market to buy the Gen3 it seems. Thanks, thanks a lot for a 'bloomin' good video! eh? eh?! Happy New Year to yers all! \m/ >.< \m/

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks for making me smile a LOT!

[@matthewearl9824]

I own the artist gen 2, and I will not be upgrading to this as the feature set is not anything I need. I don't need a channel between crunch and clean. I can just turn the drive knob up or down. I don't need bluetooth as I am using this as an amp. I don't care about the bloom because I have an eq. All of this could have been included as a firmware upgrade besides the bluetooth.

[@Nizodizo]

I am getting option paralysis just watching this video.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Totally understandable and the only reason I don’t think the katana is perfect for true beginners

[@zaneblack1132]

I got an Artist on the way, next I'll grab the 212 waza cab.

[@tunic]

it will be easier to compare the two if you split the examples into shorter 3-4 second pieces and alternate them (auditory memory is around 4 seconds)

[@IkBenSuperLief]

I did own a Katana II 100w combo, did not love it enough to keep it. I tried both a 100 watt Gen 3 head and combo , in my opinion the Mk II sounds better. So I do not own a Boss Katana

[@stuartcarter7053]

Loved the Bloom riff link! Nicely done sir. Can anyone explain what the reason for the blue tape over the SG's headstock is for?

[@KaddysJamKave]

You can make the Mkii sound as good as the Artist with a lot of software tweaking... but the Artist wins HANDS DOWN out of the box only using the panel. I just reviewed it myself. Nice timing.

[@KrisBenson-i2f]

The artist gen 3 should also have Bluetooth built in and the head stereo out (x2) should be able to connect to the 2x12 via two cables. That is, head output left to the cab left speaker and the head right to the cab right speaker so you will have true stereo! Imagine that!!!

[@andyprime57]

I went for the Gen3 ~ 2 x 12 combo when they were released. Im perfectly happy with it and couple that with the fact I run through a GX100 using 4CM, the bloom is irrelevant. I actually preferred ( not withstanding the fact that viewers are probs listening through their phones ) the MkII 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jonathanm9069]

Maximum The Ryo Kun, the guitarist from Maximum The Hormone, is using two Boss Katana Artists Gen 3 live. If they are good enough for one of the biggest japanese bands of the last 40 years, I think they are good enough for everybody else.

[@Alan-zf2tt]

And! Before it ends: A Happy Old Year to everyone 🙂 @ 28:32 surely we want and need best of both worlds? something that is scarily tweakable PLUS experize exported by experts of instant and stable great sounds? The first for nerd value and the second for can't be bothered with it and need it rock solid stable professionals (Move that dial and you are dead!)

[@Tone-Quest]

Great video as always Andy. Question and sorry if you covered this and I missed it… Sounds wise, is the Katana 100 Gen 3 head and the Katana Artist 100 Gen 3 head the same? The difference is the Artist gives you more front panel control over the tone sculpting? Thanks and Happy New Year!

[@SixStringZombie]

The Soldano immediately has much more depth and girth though that the Katana couldn’t match, at least not the way it was dialed in here. I felt like the bass and resonance were pulled back too much.

[@astewart9410]

I got the Gen 3 100w head. It’s awesome. I wanted the 5” reference speaker which the Artist doesn’t offer.

[@danielhogan8676]

Gen 3 Artist head with 2x12 waza cab - Haven't turned bloom off since day 1.

[@HackerHaus]

Thanks for doing this. I recently got a mkii artist stack and was wondering whether the gen 3 would be a worthwhile upgrade.

[@tonya4157]

First comment I made when Gen 3 was released was, why no Bloom feature in the 100w combo? It's in the head version. Second comment, why didn't they at least include a tuner in the app? It was included in the Go. Still not sold on it but the Gen 3 Artist combo is tempting me. Also not happy about an additional $70 to add Bluetooth.

[@JamesStanfordAK]

Kicking off with a lil Manic Street Preachers? Already know it's gonna be a good vid.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

SUCH a great song!!!

[@cbolt4492]

I'd like the gen 3 just because...

[@icarusi]

I tried this head a few months ago, to see how a Katana sounded with other than their own speakers, and it was just ok, not noteworthy. The cab was a 2x celestion vintage 30. The basic voice profile of the Katana amps for me is too bright out-of-the-box, but the clue's in the name. It may be fixable in the global eq but that's only available via an app AFAIK. I usually have all the treble controls fully down, and it's still too bright until I boost the mids and bass over them. The treble controls also cut too low, so it goes from too bright to muddy, with little precise control over the upper mids. The overdrive models are also highly compressed at all levels. The pervious Katanas don't 'punch out' live. They'll sound ok at home, in the studio and in a busy band setting, where you might use a compressor. but for a 3-4 piece power or fusion band, where you could expect to use dynamic variation, you'll notice this 'always on' compression, vs a separate bypassable compressor, or a fully analogue amp. This has been a problem going back to the Roland Cube models. It may be possible to avoid by using only the clean sounds, with a distortion pedal in front. but that's for somebody else to determine, and then you're wasting the rest of the amp. Some guitar pickups reacted harshly with the previous Katanas analogue front end. It was solid state distortion of the worst kind. I always recommend try with your own guitar. Unfortunately most current amps have taken a tone/dynamics dive AFAIAC, especially for auditioning guitars. I've been more impressed by some of the practice amps such as the Cort CM15R or Antiquity ATG-15R. I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised, and now prefer to audition guitars with either, and recommend them as good sounding for starter amps etc. The Fender Blues Junior is worth trying, tone-wise, if there is one but they're pricey, at that wattage.

[@jjulch]

Bought my son the 50W Gen 1, he hardly plays anymore sadly. For me, I’d have to hear these amps in a live mix. Modeling amps sound great at home but disappear in the live mix.

[@2tubeguitar]

The Katana Artist head is considerably heavier than Katana 100 head. Why is that? Transformers, other kind of components? The Katana 100 head has speakers and is lighter, how?

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

The MKII has definitely a crisper sound. But: are you sure that there is no difference in the Global EQ settings or the Cab Resonance? Because if you think they only affect sound when they are used..........................you are wrong!

[@wally-001]

That bloom function sounds like it SHOULD sound. I've always said the Katana amps sound like they are being ring thru a compressor. Now everyone that has spent money on the shitty Katana amps can now rest assured they have completely wasted their money and won't buy a Gen3 unless they can sell their shitty mk2. Awesome BOSS. Which is exactly why my mk2 katana and my mk2 Artist are buried in my closet and my tube amps are ALL out on display. The mk2 Katanas isn't even good enough to practice on. I hate that they have made it better too, Andy

[@jktolford8272]

Spoken plural of basis: bay-seez. (Spelled bases) (At least in parts of US.)

[@Smart-Alex]

According to Shane, In The Blues, the Gen 3 is a cash grab. I personally love my Gen 3 Artist.

[@garyatkins4479]

Ya that’s a bunch of crap .. I have the gen 3 artist and used to have the mkII artist It is a way better amp and the Bluetooth works great .. way over due and worth the upgrade

[@MrSteviethegreat]

@@Smart-Alex would I’ve noticed about him is if they give him the product he’s more likely to give it a positive review.

[@IkBenSuperLief]

Shane always has honest reviews. That is what I like about his channel!

[@Smart-Alex]

@@IkBenSuperLief I do too. But that was literally his words, referencing incremental updates and having to buy the Bluetooth separately. In my opinion; it’s still a steal compared to an expensive tube amp

[@MikeDavies621]

So, if you're playing "In Bloom" you want "Bloom" off but if you're not playing "In Bloom" you want "Bloom" on ? It's definitely that way round, is it ?

[@zaneblack1132]

The manual says to pump the master❤

[@bodocki1155]

Man I bought the Artist after watching your very first video on comparing that to the 100.. Was it worth the upgrade? For the $100 or whatever it was at the time it was.. I recently upgraded from that to the Gen 3 Artist. For me personally, it wasn't worth the upgrade. I find it easier to dial sounds in on the original? Maybe because I've been mucking around with it for several years.. Again I've only had the gen 3 a couple days but so far I'm finding it frustrating.. To me the sound seems muffled or compressed? The original seemed more open.. feels like I almost have to rip a Band-Aid off the Gen 3 it's weird.

[@guitarz]

I have the first gen artist and it was my single amp for gigs and practice and in reality its way more than any guitarist will even need and is more than enough to do the job but we like pine boxes and name brands to show off so this will remain a practice amp for most but this amp is all you need and who gives a crap if it gets dented or a beer spilled on it in only improves the tone

[@bodocki1155]

@@guitarz I agree I bought the Artist one.. recently bought the gen 3 due to the hype but honestly it wasn't worth it to me.

[@mycosys]

Apart from sounding horrific and full of aliasing

[@leroynunn1072]

Andy how did you do the three hand thing? I am confused!

[@mycosys]

re-amping

[@Rikamortis6stringer]

There's a video on KZbin called"how to access the hidden tuner on Boss catana"

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Yes. That’s my video😂

[@DrFat32]

Well that Video just confused me. I think I will just stick with my Vox VT40X, maybe it dosn't have all the bells and whistles of a more modern modeling amp but it does have tubes.

[@andsoistopped]

Bloomin’ fabulous?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Blooming right you are!

[@manikokg]

Boss Katana MKII had a very short period of support and upgrades,...that's why I will never buy a boss katana again in my life. Next or maybe already this year, Gen IV or V will appear and then Gen3 will be for recycling... and so there is no ending.... I actively use the Boss Katana Head MK2 and I will buy a tube amplifier as soon as possible.

[@nekkon1989]

27:05 bases, it's a Greek word

[@mycosys]

Theres a MASSIVE improvement in the aliasing (thats the inharmonic 'sharp edges' you talk about), the G2 sounds positively awful to me. Theres sill a lot more aliasing in the G3 than a lot of other modelling options. I really dont understand how you recommend the g1 to anyone who needs more than a practice amp, i cant imagine them being useful for anything else, they just sound so bad. Now that you can hear the difference - when are you doing you review for Genome, and Opus? Theres a reason i keep askin - its for the benefit of your viewers.

[@jutukka]

Buy now if you need a new Boss product, because Boss can discontinue any product without any warning! 😜

[@mikegutterman3427]

Is it me or does anyone wish they would make a Katana with just the amp models and no effects? I would never use the effects in it, so maybe could be even more affordable as just an amp! Also, I have no desire for bluetooth... I guess I am getting old.

[@cbolt4492]

27:22 It's uncanny

[@jackschijven8219]

Excellent review. Thank you. And a happy, peaceful and healthy 2025. A few years ago, you helped me choose the Artist 2. And I am happy with it. And I still need to explore so much with it. With good head phones I couldn’t hear much difference. Question 1: can one set the mk2 to sound the same as the gen3? Question 2: I would like to have a Bluetooth connection between my phone and the artist mk2. Can Boss provide that? That would a great update for me. Question3: Could Boss make a pedal or switch box to connect to my artist mk2 with the bloom and pushed functions? Looking forward to your reply. Thanks again.

[@marvinrichmondtv]

❤

[@MarcAndreLevesque]

Somebody has something against be big G, play authentic ;)

[@monahantp3767]

Or, the guitarist could learn how to tune their guitar...

[@bronzesnake7004]

My guitar arshole? The "brown" channel"?? So that's why people say my guitar playing stinks! Good to know, thankee!! Whew! And to stink, I mean think, I almost quit! I'm so immature!! "( Jack ~'()'~ Canada

[@raycymbalisty5503]

gen 3 is a soggy diaper , dump it

[@PapawCulberson]

It's a junk bedroom only amplifier that only the weak minded will attempt to use this monstrosity in a live situation. This is a toy. Do not be fooled. Only the Walmart crowd will disagree with my facts here. Flame On Bedroom Heroes!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Tell us you know nothing about what you’re talking about without telling us you know nothing about what you’re talking about… 😂

[@FranMjolnir]

I don’t think anyone that is a beginner would be watching this video. And then after that comment you complain that one of the main flaws of this amp is the lack of a beginner’s feature.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

After over 1000 videos, I think you’re wrong.

[@andrewbecker3700]

My take on ALL the Katana fullsize amps/combos. Is that they're still dropping the ball. The features and tones are there. Putting more and more analog switching on the panels, is the wrong direction to go with the series. Connectivity and the ability to access the Tone Studio, should be the main focus. If they released the next model in the series, with a Bluetooth device included. Like a small inexpensive touchscreen tablet. You could gain access to every feature possible, without cluttering the panels with more gimmicks. Anyone who buys these for the added features. Obviously doesn't have any experience with the Tone Studio. Defeats the whole purpose of a Katana. Get people using the Tone Studio! Duh! Peace!

[@PaulCooksStuff]

The wrong direction for you. I bought a katana BECAUSE I could get to what I needed on the front panel knobs quickly and easily without using tone studio and cable and pc/phone to turn a dial, or a deep dive menu system and 96 button presses to find the setting I want. People have different wants. Judging from the sales figures it's pretty hard to say Boss have gone in the wrong direction that the market doesn't want.

[@andrewbecker3700]

Relax chief. I've got two mkii 212's and am thouroughly enjoying them. I'm just frustrated by the way they milk us on the slight little upgrades. Yet the most powerful tool in the box, gets basically ignored by many people like you. Having to buy an printer adapter to use my phone or tablet with it, is ridiculous.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

@andrewbecker3700 I don't ignore it. I use it when I have to, which thankfully is every blue moon.

[@andrewbecker3700]

Gotta get the footswitchs. The new ex unit really opens up the possibilities with 2 of them.