They're PUSHING Boss Katana Gen 3 - What's All the Fuss About?

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It's 2024 - Gen 3 Katana just dropped and I felt like I was missing out so I bought a Katana 50 to check out that new Pushed setting....
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only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TVZN39QQAAKTG (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together - www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CCTNL7P2XSQDC - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=45L8AZ4RYL3HW
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Try my patches for Pod GO using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2E7DSCRZW45JN
www.patreon.com/johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnathancordy - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[@johnnathancordy]

That Pushed setting - sounds great to me?

[@StevenHadfield]

It does, but can the MK2 do the same by placing one of the two EQs before the amp section and tone stack using the 12dB of gain available? I do this by pushing mids into with an EQ with 5dB of level gain, instead of using the Boost/Drive FX.

[@tonepilot]

Yup

[@jaytee6960]

I have 4 main sounds for my Katana 100 mk2: 1. clean, 2. SRV-ish (Push basically), 3. Crunch (AC/DC like), 4. Overdrive (John Petrucci overdrive sound). It took me forever to find the 1 and 2 sounds that I liked...but I got there with a lot of EQ adjustments although the 2 still isn't quite the SRV sound I wanted (I have a Fender player HSS with a SD JB in the Humbucker slot). The Gen3 appeals to me because of the push but TBH...I don't know if its worth the upgrade. Especially since I don't need a 100w but only got it because of the GA/FC, etc so I might just stay put. And I hate the fact they remove a lot of features from the 50w.

[@davidmultimedia2024]

@@StevenHadfield The ''same''... probably not, but a similar effect indeed (unless this is precisely what they did, using the same clean amp, but I doubt it). But you can definitely get a similar tone with the clean amp and either a boost pedal, OD, or anything with a level gain boost in front of the amp.

[@gersonmontalvo1005]

@@jaytee6960 SHARE PLEASE!!!

[@sgtcaco]

My amp is a tube amp that mimics a solid state amp, expensive rig but it’s worth it to have that crispy solid state tone.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

LOL

[@jeffainsley6000]

It is comments like this that make the internet worth it. LOL

[@chrisgmurray3622]

Ha!

[@Nnmtes]

I totally understand that. I've owned many, many different amps over 55+ years of playing. Pretty much half of those amps being tube (valve) amps, a few modelling amps, the rest solid state. I now prefer the immediacy and tone of some solid state amps. I was once a tube snob, but i grew up. I realised that is just bullshit. Good amps are what is a good amp to you, your ears, and your feel. End of story

[@kane6529]

Crispy solid state tone is the fucking bees knees! Tube amps are arse if you ask me 🤩

[@mikedr1549]

If I was just starting out I'd be 100% all in on the Katana.

[@denmar355]

You pay more and you get more. That’s the way it is. Always. That’s not anything to dislike Boss for. It’s business. It’s how you promote your goods to try to get folks to buy based on what is important to them.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

This. Anyone who is complaining about the price doesn't understand business and they don't understand how BOSS/Roland became the success they have. Without the research and development and innovation We would not be enjoying their products the way we are. In order to get these things we have to fuel the company and support them along the way.

[@beefnacos6258]

Always? Yeah you're a marketers wet dream.

[@jamesbennettmusic2154]

For £289 these are ridiculously good. HX Stomp is £700 now and you still need to buy a powered cab or power amp and speaker on top of that.

[@nitbot]

It's crazy how good they are. When I started playing in the early 90's I bought a 15w solid state Marshall, when adjusting for inflation the Katana is less expensive than the Marshall. But the Katana blows the Marshall completely out of the water when it comes to tones and features. Incredible value IMO

[@Diax1324]

Catalyst is good, too, but not as versatile.

[@DavidBeebee]

"I will be involved, if I don't say the wrong things" Cordy saying the wrong things is the funniest thing though 😂

[@QuickSticks8771]

I will be involved , if I don’t say the wrong thing . Sounds like Tuesday nights at our house 🤣

[@11000038]

Yep. I think that all these KZbinrs are chasing the $s £s & €s. No such thing as an unbiased review. The guitar mags have/had exactly the same issue. It's amazing how many products are released to massive fanfare to be forgotten a month later. Manufacturers have to keep releasing new products to have KZbinrs push them.

[@Avatar7x7]

This version sounds way better than the previous Katanas to my ears !

[@fastacesus8499]

Correct it does

[@James1Hiscox]

Once again I am reminded why you are one of my favourite guitarists John. Beautiful tones, beautiful playing.

[@graphicnick07]

The airstep kat solves the footswitch issue, its awesome!! And that is the sweetest stratocaster i think ive seen and heard ever😎

[@thorpenator9148]

Live gigs are great with these as a pedal platform...and the line out into the P.A. works amazing.

[@davidmurphy4844]

I agree. I have a Mk1 100 watt but now I use a 50 watt Mk2 ex with a line out to the pa and use my old GA-FC pedal.

[@thorpenator9148]

@@davidmurphy4844 I use the Angry Charlie for Marshall tones and a EP booster for solos. Katana on Clean. The Angry Charlie is so so good imo

[@RobUttley]

Still exploring (and hugely enjoying) my MkII 100, so to be honest I'm not in a market for a newer one anytime soon but I'm always interested in what I'd be missing with newer models. Thanks for bucking the trend (a little) with this quick review. Look forward to seeing what you make of the head version.

[@user-nq3op6vv8b]

Great player, lots of videos, apparently never sleeps. Thanks John for the content.

[@adamherring6693]

I've have gone back to katana, been using a fender deville 212 for 6 months, and although it has not let me down I cannot get the versatile sounds I need for all the recording and live gigs I do. Katana and the gafc has all the options I need, plus it's insane value.

[@bluarcher5941]

absolutely love your style...shades of E.J. chords. I'm usiing a Katana 100 MkII combo in a worship team setting and it's definitely all I need for that environment. Great video, great amp, great playing. Thanks for sharing.

[@gregalon]

The Pushed model will be great for actually selling the amp. It's disconcerting how amps in this price range seem to jump from pristine clean to thick crunch. The tones I'm looking for 90% of the time are in between. There are so many genres sitting in that grey zone. It's a huge market and I think the Catalyst was doing a better job of revealing its ability to get those tones.

[@denmar355]

Gain low in the pushed mode is great. That’s where I always play. Roll back the guitar volume and it’s clean.

[@HomoChomsky]

Thought the same thing! If I was in the market for an affordable amp, that Pushed model would be what I look for sound-wise since that's where I tend to set my amps and sims.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Agreed. And as a previous owner of a 70s made in Japan JC-120 head I can tell you that the distortion tones from that era were absolute shit. So it's taken them a while to incorporate anything besides clean into these amplifiers. Believe me, if you heard the distortion setting from those amps back then your head would explode. They were absolutely god-awful. Roland and BOSS have come a hell of a long way.

[@grahamcoxon]

Nice one.. I’m into it. Interested in the pushed thing and other tweaks mentioned about a more tubey ampy in the roomy thing… I’ve gigged my M2 100w 212 a few times with a pedal board and the GAFC with expression pedals attached and it was great IMO. I got pushed by using the clean (variation ) and just having the gain knob up around 1 o’clock - then either played gentle or dug in. The drive pedals and effects all sounded great to me. NB I am quite deaf. 👂🏻 ❌ Might have a go on the 100 212 or possibly the artist.. which I never tried before . Nice.

[@IamMusicNerd]

Obviously it’s not going to replace my tube amps for playing most of the time, but I absolutely love having a Katana head for practicing at lower volumes or with headphones, or especially while traveling. It’s the best portable practice amp I’ve ever had (blows away my Spark and Yamaha THR), with tons of great sounding effects and built in practice speaker, but yet still packs 100w if I ever want to plug it into a full sized cabinet and play really loud. It’s incredibly versatile and useful.

[@theuserthatishere]

i have katana 50 and thr 10. katana is not really portable, like hotel with family portable. i think they both serve a need for me. also when i meet up with folks i don't know, i like bringing the katana to feel out how people will act around my gear, like setting a beer on my amp etc.

[@7riX7er]

5:41 haha that was almost the good old guitar pro jingle when starting up

[@michaelpauljess]

Great review! Thank you sir! 🤙🏼

[@chrisraines2244]

The pedal is why I bought the Gen 3 50 ex. You can fead the board for front of house and have your stage volume, plus you have blue tooth so you can control the amp with your iPhone. The ex has a new speaker and of course the pushed setting which adds a very useful palette of tones. Over all this is a great sounding , light- weight package with all the boss pedal goodness built-in when you use the GA-FC foot switcher. After great in the studio and great in the club.

[@davestrong8889]

Have pre-ordered an Katana gen 3 100 artist from Sweetwater. Will sell my gen 2 100 artist when it gets here. The gen 2 has served me well, but looking forward to bluetooth in the gen3. Yes, you have to play in the app to get the tones you want, but I have always been able to get something close to what I want. Biggest advantage is that I don’t have to drag a pedal board with me.

[@markerf16]

My main amp is a Fender Hot rod 112. I have a boss katana 100 version 2 as a backup. I think the katana sounds great it actually sounds better to me than the tonemaster versions Fender has been putting out. You totally get that amp in the room feel with the 100 watt version. I play clean only and I would only upgrade if the clean sounds better than the version 2.

[@keithb5612]

I use my amp as a pedal platform so only really need usually a clean setting.

[@danstringer7610]

Me too.

[@fastacesus8499]

Yep. Live Pedal Platform. At home though I use the drive channels, means I don't have to get out the pedal board in my small practice space. I would not like to have to balance the volume across different channels for live use. Just too difficult.

[@MarkAllentheProducer]

Amazing Playing and awesome demo thank you

[@Soloist1983]

The Pushed mode has that "other" sound I go for, to me the "Pushed" would be my clean, then brown would be my distortion, using my volume knob to vary how much dirt I want. Nice! Now I just have to figure out which one to get :D

[@robertj1303]

I am waiting for the Katana Artist Gen3. I was going to get a mark II but glad I waited. I am going to pair it with my Katana 100 combo which still works well. I am in Thailand and amps galvanise here whether you like it or not. So I am going with solid state for that reason. I just have my modded Laney IRT Studio that needs maintenance due to galvanisation but its over 10 years old now. I sold my Fender and Marshall amps. Me thinks after having an Axe Fx III for sometime that to make live sounds this dual amp combination will do what I want. If I find I can get all the sounds I want and use it through the DAW then maybe I dont need the Axe Fx III anymore as I use for studio only and mainly the J45 amp in it. I think once you find the sounds you like you dont need to keep searching or trying new pedals and amps. Bit like you have done with the Helix. 😄😄

[@eleanorhyde2179]

I have a 100 mkII. Love that Pushed sound, but surely that could be created on a MkII by twiddling in tone studio?

[@tonray9395]

It sounds pretty darned good. I was in the market for a smallish living room amp about 6 months ago and went with the Class A tube Blackstar CV10 but had this ver 3 been available I likely would have purchased it instead. The CV10 is great but once you add some pedals and a mess of cables all over the place, the all in one solution becomes quite apppealing.

[@Kulturmatt]

I was wondering whether the gen 3 would be a good option to run the helix thru. What do you recommend for bedroom volume use, especially if you like a bit of gain? Are studio monitors the best option?

[@mkrj2576]

Thanks for the review. I'd likely buy the head if Boss had a 1x12 Waza cab. The Artist combo is quite bulky for a SS amp. I'd love the Kat head for direct to PA applications, and then with a 1x12 cab when needed. The 2x12 Waza cab is too much of a good thing to haul around. Any good 1x12 non-Kat cabs that match well with the head?

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I bought the Mk2 50 EX a couple years ago because it can use the footswitch so there's no reason why the Mk3 50 couldn't have the same extra features. The stock Katana is overly bright to my ear, but now that I've adjusted the flobal EQ it's fine. Katanas have so much tonal flexibility with the editor, you can tweak it to sound just about however you want.

[@guitarcd]

There is a Gen 3 50 EX in the pipeline, it just hasn't been released yet.

[@AlanBetzScott]

I still have the old MK1 that I feel is the best bang for the $$$ I have ever spent on gear. Just a versatile tool. I'm tempted, but would really love me that power amp update on a smaller unit

[@redcomn]

Actually the mk1 sound bit better then mk2 The Cons is if your unit went kaput there’s no parts anymore. Compared side by side with MK2 the note bloom a lot better on MK1 on brown setting But well…… I’ve preordered the new katana MK3 Artist combo Guess i fell for those tube logic things. Well I’ve tested blues cube with tube logic before and i like those a lot more then katana hence why 😂

[@isitreallyisitreally1756]

Great time to pick up a mk1 100 or 100 Head ( one on eBay v reasonable with postage .. not mine 😆 ) then , the 50 is more a high priced entry level amp , but one most of us would have been amazed with 25 years ago , line 6 spider anyone? ... Ive used my mk1 100 combo since its launch for countless gigs and its all good ( for what it is ) , use it now straight into normal channel as pedal platform , fed up with valve amps letting me down so went with this , Mk1 100 combo is fine , not amazing but its fine for he price / weight / reliability / sound . Most seem to try it in shop , not like it , and move on , it does take a bit of eq tweaking to get best but at gig volume with a tube screamer / overdrive in front of it , it does the job in a band mix , enough for me 😊

[@user-hv7nz5lm1n]

That took me back, Line 6 Spider 111, sounded like an angry bee in a quality street tin compared!

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

Lovely intro jam, nice and moody

[@TheSignalman07]

The Airstep Kat works like the gx footswitch. It’s what completes the 50

[@felinekaiju4517]

For me, the artist is what im getting. The variation clean sounds luscious, and the different modes, along with the waza speakers.

[@brendanflaherty6696]

Yes… I’ve got an Artist Mk2 combo, and while I mostly use it as a pedal platform… the Clean (variation) is the onboard tone that I really gravitate towards. With the gain cranked, and/or boosted… love it

[@felinekaiju4517]

@@brendanflaherty6696 I kept forgetting the name of the new function on the mkIII that I love with the cleans, pushed and brown sound, which is bloom. it gives it that extra classic sag that really brings life to those channels. I was about to buy a mkII artist, then when I opened YT, saw that my feed had exploded with a bunch of MKIII vids within that 22 hour period. and there's now a depth and presence on the MkIII artist too. If I had a MKII already, I'm not sure I'd upgrade. I'll have to play it sided by side with my house mates one.

[@darenanderson1960]

I’m curious to know what you think of the Artist Combo, which comes with the upgraded Waze speaker.

[@user-jb4rc8su4f]

Well that is a nicelooking guitar

[@JohnMcGFrance]

I have the Katana 100w 1x12. I only really use it on the clean setting. I get drive from my board or the in built effects. It’s great for home practice and gigs - very loud! Nothing in the mk 3 is making me want to upgrade. But if I didn’t have the mk 2 I’d be checking it out. Offers a lot for the money imho.

[@11000038]

"Will be involved if I don't say the wrong things". Very telling.

[@antonymaitlandsmith8758]

I have a Pocket GT and a Katana 50 Gen 2. I use the Pocket GT to dial in a sound a like on the headphones with the GT Tone Studio and then copy the settings to the Katana. Not sure if all the amp parameters are the same but it seems to work well. Unfortunately it has to be down manually as one cannot, I don’t think, transfer the information through the Tone Studio from the GT to the Katana. If anyone knows if it is possible please let me know. Thanks for all the reviews John.

[@rowbags3017]

Honestly, I watched the Andertons reveal and didn't hear much to get excited about. The new "Pushed" setting is convenient, but I checked straight after and seemed to be able to get near-enough the same tones already on my Katana Mk. II with a bit of playing about between clean and crunch and a bit of EQ. I use my Mk. II combo these days as a really convenient studio amp to record demos without annoying the neighbours, but I really should give it a live outing again. Generally, for live playing, I've switched to a Laney Cub-Super 12 - it's plenty loud enough for anywhere I play and a really nice little combo. Even at my middling level of playing ability (I'm a singer/songwriter) I was struck by the difference in "feel" that came with switching to a valve amp. Which is all a long-winded way of saying I can't see me ditching my Mk. II in favour of a Gen 3, because there's just not enough of a gain to warrant it, for me at least.

[@theoc7805]

Funny you say that - I’ve had a Katana for a while (although admittedly I was a latecomer to the Katana-Klan. I was just never convinced by it, but now having lived with it for a while I realises you’ve got to work hard to find the sweet spots, and it probably sounds better as the speaker loosens up. But recently I bought my first valve amp, which like you have is a Cub Super 12 - and I love it! I was never a valve snob, but now I get what people say when they talk about ‘feel’; the feedback from my fingertips from the amp is something I’ve never felt before, and you know what - I can actually play faster! Is that weird? Is that psychological trickery?? I’ve actually modded my Cub, with a Celestion Neo Creamback, and it sounds lovely. A little boxy, understandably with a small cab, but it really is great

[@ningzhang6683]

enjoyed your play❤

[@brendanflaherty6696]

Does anyone know if the Gen3 1/4 Line Out is mono or stereo? I know the USB and (newly, on the Gen3) headphone out are stereo, but what about the line out? I would have a particular use case for that if so. I suspect not, as the XLR out on the models that have it would be mono, and that and the 1/4 out probably share a tap.

[@Matthew_Scan]

I have a mk 2 artist the pushed amp and blue tooth would make me want to up grade

[@worthmoremusic]

Katana...the most sold amp in the last few years based on sales from a number of retailers, Andertons, Sweetwater, Guitar Center......and they keep upping their game !

[@pbosche]

I already have 2 gen 2 artists..they’re acting as the stereo l/r wets for my w/d/w setup. As for the center…I thought about getting a gen 3 artist when they hit in a month but I just got a Blackstar Amped 3 and am running that into my 2x12…I really think it sounds and feels more tube like ( and also just freaking GOOD) and better than the katana.

[@rexcons1183]

Just bought this 2days ago…and i love it…🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼the pushed amazing😂

[@kingdomfunding]

I played the GEN three the date came out and I think it would benefit with two speakers in stereo mode like black star

[@Doty6String]

Man your solos are so sweet

[@DexterDexter123]

clean and slightly over driven are lovely. heavier stuff sounds terrible. great review.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

The 50 combo SHOULD have a line out. Simple.

[@denmar355]

A base level Toyota Camry should have the premium stereo. No. That’s not how it goes. You buy based on what is important to you. And that’s true of pretty much everything. Just step up and buy the 50Ex and get more of the features. Including the use of the GAFC controller.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

@@denmar355 A line out costs very little - we both know it. Line out does not equate with premium stereo my friend

[@GenghisDaniel]

That’s make no sense. In the world of factory mass made products the cost of adding this or that feature is really low. So brands are just making artificial differentiation between the different products of a line. Yes, adding a line out is not costing a dime to Boss, but they just want you to go for an higher end model on which they will have a bigger margin. If you does not agree with that strategy just don’t buy a modern product… and go really on old proven tech… Or just way for the 50 combo ex to go out and you will be fine…

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

I would love to see Boss make a katana or similar amp with tubes on the input side only

[@jamestejada3673]

I have a Katana 50 as well Has anybody changed out the stock speakers.

[@jorisguitars]

Time to compare to the Mark 2!

[@MrBeen992]

I just want to know if its better through the speaker than the 50 mk2

[@Skylarlateef_guitar]

Thinking of putting a greenback 12’’ into my 1x12 mk1 100 watt. Anyone had any experience with changing speakers in the katana

[@sdaweqwaf]

im confuse idk what to buy i like 32 bits nux mg 30 and efects but i dont like the EQs, i find a headrush gigboard and boss gt1000 core very cheap i like too boss efects but amps are hard to make presets, and headrush the interface is good but 24 bit and dont love the sound

[@Smudger654]

Katana Artist is supposed to have a better speaker - have you tried one of those?

[@Aspire7]

What strat is that. Looks beautiful

[@GCKelloch]

Regarding guitar cabs: Jim Lill showed the "quality" of the cab has virtually no measurable effect on the sound, but the size and the portion of the back that's open (or not) does. The speakers are really what matters. More cab volume per speaker surface area increases bass, and the back panel of any cheap closed back cab can be altered to affect the bass response. Harley Benton makes perfectly good, unloaded or loaded speaker cabs very cheap. A 2x12 would expand the potential speaker choices with a 100W head a lot. I'd strongly consider a Pre Rola-doped 100W Weber Ceramic 1230-55 (w/cloth surround) for its deep, sweet & clear freq response, along with any number of 75Hz cone options. The G212Plus Vertical Unloaded cab has three removable back panels. You'd have a very nice versatile 2x12 for ~$500. The 1230-55 will give it stronger/deeper bass. I'd put it on top because it has more 4kHz+ than most guitar speakers, and you won't hear that detail if it's on the bottom. You might also save some on shipping if you order the other speaker from Thomann.

[@reese2940]

Buy a Mk2 with the price drops to come, use the editor, get katana librarian, buy the airstep pedal to control the settings. I dont think the new features are worth an upgrade or whatever the extra price will be.

[@sirgerbilmacintosh9101]

You read my mind.

[@gfbritto]

This. Katana Librarian and airstep unlocks the katana 50 the way Boss can’t (wont) do. It’s like having a katana gen5. Add an expression pedal as well, and boom!

[@theresnoway440]

i’ll take upgraded tones and software

[@beefnacos6258]

If you never played the mk 3 in person you simply just don't know it's better or not

[@waynedoherty7758]

The pushed setting sounds awesome. I went tubes over katana a couple of years ago because the katana models aside from clean had a distinct chainsaw quality. These days would I want this as a quiet rig? Or ToneX into a fender Fr-10?

[@theuserthatishere]

i thought everything sounded good minus the cleans on mine

[@timholtguitar6999]

The Katanas are great amps and are an insane value. For solid state, I’ll stick with my quilters.

[@NateTheMeh]

Do the quilters take pedals better than the katana?

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

Good value but digital trash.

[@Newnodrogbob]

@@BkBk-gy6vryou’re…Englishing wrong. There’s no such thing as trash that is a good value. One should not pay any amount of money for trash. So…it is either a good value or it is digital trash. It’s not both.

[@timholtguitar6999]

@@NateTheMeh yes, IMO. The only thing they don’t like is fuzz.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@NateTheMeh Nope. Katana takes pedals just fine.

[@wolfnstrings]

The problem with Boss equipment is lack of improvements to the existing models after what seems like a very short time. I bought one of the first revisions only to have minimal updates afterwards.

If we really look, each amplifier has its own charm. No review will give an answer as to whether the amplifier is suitable for one or all types of music until you try it yourself. Everything else is marketing and how to sell. But your style of playing and review gives for me something I think is very close to my way of listening and trying. So thank you.

[@noudockeloen]

Nice guitar❤🎉

[@11000038]

A bit of a missed opportunity. I do like my Katana 50 but it's valves that put the smile on my face.

[@Twylightt]

And, play valves at home with all the good sound?

[@bluemawks]

I see them as a value product, you get lots for little $. Tune them to what you like, many pedals to play with, great for new players and people wanting to try out the array of effects with a decent sound. I watched the Andertons MkII vs Gen3 (does these mean it went directly from Gen 0.1 to Gen3, ehm...lol), I could not hear a difference. I ran the sounds thru my pc spectrum analyzer, and saw virtually zero difference in tone. The updated features seamed to for the most part be available thru different means before, the new PUSH sound would likely be emulated very easily. If I was buying new, I would do it, but do not see a need for replacement if already owned.

[@10sassafras]

It sounds a bit thin here. I have the mk1 and it’s a good little clean amp with reverb. Light weight and cheap are its strengths.

[@theuserthatishere]

also, i've noticed with mine, when i play with a group it's good enough to where i forget the amp and have fun. folks keep nit picking these amps apart. there is a reason dudes with money don't gig katanas

[@DBroce]

I’ve had this MKII for five years? I’ve bought effects that cost more than the Katana. Great amp. The Slow Gear effect that’s in the Katana would cost you about $400 for the pedal.

[@psylochopin7828]

I'm still very happy with my Katana Mk1. Boss should improve acoustic amp then I consider switching it in future.

[@user-xk8xr8gs4f]

I watched maybe 4 other reviews yesterday and they all made me think that there is some reasonable changes to the better on the sound which I don't really felt when watched your review.....really sounded skinny specially on the drives. The pushed channel still did sound good.

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

I'm willing to be it sounds the same as the mk ii

[@chrisglassmusic]

I am very dissapointed that Boss have not added dotted eighth and other delay and tremolo tempo sync options. I feel like if they would add that one feature the effects section would be complete. Is there someway we can communicate that request to Boss? I may be wrong but it seems like something a firmware update could add.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Well that was quick! On the wee 50 I’d say pass, the ex maybe but the head is the obvious choice. I think the ability for Bluetooth editing and streaming is the real Gamechanger here. We have had it bodged together so far with a lot of 3rd party work involved. Stereo out is definitely long long overdue. I’m looking forward to seeing the head. Push sounded good but the clean and acoustics are always my go to amps with pedals carving the drive sounds, have you felt any improved dynamics in the cleaner side ? I know the 50 is not exactly the model for it. How long till you sell it then?

[@__bxbx8music992]

Are mk2 patches compatible with gen 3?

[@kevinmackfurniture]

It's a great Amp, for the price of a boutique pedal. Delicate or not, it's a good deal.

[@davidwoodhead7109]

Was that a sword you opened the box with?! 😁

[@odgeUK]

It surprises me that the better tones are achieved via the editor. You'd think BOSS would enlist some artists to work with them on the presets, so the out-of-the-box sounds are as good as they could be. Then again, I suppose it only has four voices, so it's a compromise as to what gets loaded in them for production.

[@mudwiser1391]

The Katana's sound terrific and when you add the low price point that makes them even more desirable. We live in a great time for gear, you can literally go in to a music store and drop $1000 dollars and walk out with a quality guitar and amp.

[@BlonderHans-ke9qt]

Well, that's a handy knife for unboxing.😂

[@matskihlberg4762]

More like a machete!

[@theuserthatishere]

they lack a lil in some ways. those short comings may not be noticed by all. but all in all, these amps are a pretty legit go to

[@user-jy3io4iz2p]

If you can get three really nice tones out of this it is worth the money (€335). As for digital sounding my answer is COSM 😅

[@Newmusicreview]

The FSW missing for the 50 is terrible...I hear it’s coming in future update?...thats said Im using the Airstep which works fine

[@guitarcd]

50 EX model has not been released yet for Gen 3, but in the pipeline, like the Artist models.

[@sunnibird]

Watched a repair video on these and they're essentially disposable e-waste. Very difficult to repair, or even find the problem.

[@johnnathancordy]

You may be referring to Psionic Audio's video? I think his conclusion was moreorless that it wasn't really worth it for his customer for him to investigate or repair - cheaper to buy another unit. I've not heard issues of Katana reliability in general though?

[@mikemorgan4774]

Based on the Katana Gen 3 features chart you showed us, it may be very difficult for potential buyers for consumers to make a clear choice on which model could potentially make them happy. Simply stated, Dear Boss, not knowing which amp to buy is a HUGE turn-off. I don't need 100 watts, but I expect all the bells and whistles available to work. There are hardware limitations at various price points that just don't add up.

[@denmar355]

Like automobiles, homes, TV’s, computers, and pretty much everything. Pay more to get more.

[@suedeface]

@@denmar355 I wish some of the options where there on the 50 watt. I don't need 100 watts. I'd pay more to get more features...but if I have to get something I won't use just to get the other features I'm going to look elsewhere. It is a matter of them not delivering the features I'd want in the product I would want. Not about money for me.

[@bikeman1x11]

the 100 can be turned down the 50 has a cheap speaker that sounds lik crap. MKii the better buy

[@TheCyberMantis]

Just get the Artist head. You get everything, for $560. Best value amp on the market. By far.

[@larryshields2302]

You want the katana 50ex best of the both worlds

[@gregwatts680]

Pedal into amp = 'Pushed" so let's not get too excited

[@davidmurphy4844]

I agree. BD2 with gain at 9 o'clock does it for me.

[@chrishyde1216]

The Katana has a BD2 in its effects package. Is that the same as an external BD2?

[@davidmurphy4844]

@chrishyde1216 yes it is.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

yes, but with the "pushed" feature you don't need the pedal?

[@chrishyde1216]

@@michaelkarlsson5966 Sure, but it's cheaper to keep my MkII and use the pedal.

[@betojara9773]

I love my katana 100 mk2 yeah the bluetooth option is pretty great on the mk3 but i can live without it! I run my headrush fx MX5 thru the power in jack and im in heaven! unlimited tones and ir's and cabs as well as amps! I can always dial in a good rig! plus i have my blackstar HT drive pure valve overdrive running on the fx loop of my mx5 its the cherry on top!

[@bluecollarguitarist]

For the money…pretty tough to beat.

[@theuserthatishere]

yep

[@saxmidiman]

Tone and a price a normal human being can afford...YES!!! They are great!!!😁😎

[@Hello_there_obi]

I find the katana lacks low end warmth and the high end sparkle

[@GSahni-]

Just sucks how you cant use the GA-FC EX with the katana 50. I know they're launching the 50EX soon but i'd rather just spend the money on the 100 watt unit. Great Review!

[@timelwell7002]

I currently have a Boss Katana 50 Mark 2. Nice amp, with some good tones. But I am aware that it is also delicate and VERY hard to repair in the event that anything goes wrong. I know this because I've spoken to a technician who has really struggled to repair these. He told me they are very flimsily built. Maybe this is why Katanas are so cheap - they're designed to be 'expendable.' Hence, if I were to upgrade, it would NOT be to another Katana. I'd consider a Supro Delta King 12, or perhaps a Roland JC 40 instead. Thus my advice would be only to get a Katana if using it at home - but for any serious gigging, it's too delicate, not nearly robust enough. OK, the Supro or the JC might be a fair bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for. Or, in the case of the Katana, you don't get what you don't pay for...

[@Phoboss32]

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience! I wonder how GT-1000 series are built the same way.

[@brendanflaherty6696]

I can’t speak to the 50/100, etc, but I’ve been gigging an Artist Mk2 for about 18 months, and it’s been very durable. Frankly, the lack of conventional tolex has been a big plus. Artist might be a different cab construction than the others, though… not sure

[@timelwell7002]

@@brendanflaherty6696 I believe that the amp technician had problems with some of the interior components. A Katana 50 (Mark 1) was accidentally dropped and didn't work at all. He had one hell of a job repairing the amp, but said that if it were to go wrong again he wouldn't be able to fix it. He asserted that the Katana was built to a price, and that if any interior components were to break it could be 'game over' for that particular amp. The exterior case was not an issue.

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

Gigged mine for 4yrs now no problems at all

[@timelwell7002]

@@capitanvonchickenpants8492 I'm glad to hear it.

[@danl01234]

To me, the biggest disappointment is that, once again, it appears that tone patches are not downward compatible. If you bought the Katana Mk1 (i.e.original) or MK2 version you’ve been abandoned by Boss. All the Gen 3 patches developed by Boss is unusable by the customer base that have supported the product line for years.

[@aaronc675]

It's a real pity that the KATANA HEAD doesn't do STEREO SPEAKER OUT. I would love to have ONE head and connect two cabs in stereo. I know there is a "STEREO EXPAND" feature, but you have to purchase a 2ND KATANA head for that. Too bad!

[@guitarcd]

How many heads on the market have two separate power sections, and how much more, do you think, would a stereo Katana head cost?

[@aaronc675]

@@guitarcd So true! Sadly, stereo amps (with a built-in stereo power system) are a bit rare. Roland JC, Fender Princeton... that's all I can think of. But a stereo powered head - I don't think it exists. I would LOVE to have a Katana Stereo Head (stereo OR mono power option, etc.).

[@hootowl6354]

@@aaronc675 Magnatone Panoramic. Get out your checkbook.

[@squirelova1815]

Yeah, "What's all the Fuss about?" Peavey had been getting Great solid state sounds way before BOSS without needing Chorus to do it either and so have others. The Jazz Chorus amps DO still sound Fantastic though to this day. I'll give BOSS that wheere SS Amps are concerned.

[@cruZerino1]

uhh so in other words the used katana artist mk2 will get even cheaper in the future

[@boldboy73]

Why doesn't it have built in Bluetooth? And why do you have a propiety connection and it costs £50 for the adapter?? If they want to leave Bluetooth out to keep the price down then fair enough, but make the input USB so you can add your own adapter.

[@adriangravelle2263]

Big enough of a knife to open up the box?! lol