Something I learned from another TH-camr (wish I could remember who so I could give them credit): when using higher gain tones on the Katana, enable the parametric EQ and set the high cut to 6.3 kHz. This tames the sizzle and sounds great. Now you can crank the amp without the ice pick highs.
Might have been Juca Nery. He has some videos where he walks through how he builds a Katana patch and the parametric EQ is one that he’s always tweaking.
You can also do it in the global EQ to remove the ice picky nature of katanas, the first thing I learned about them, you really can't knock the katana after listening to this, For the money the katana is increadable, the katana speaker is very bright and full compared with my Marshall 1912 cab, and it compares well with my JVM too People stick their noses up at katanas until they try one out properly, then they realise how wrong they are
The Katana stacked up nicely for sure! The edge still goes to the Tube amp imo. I've found with all amps like the Katana there's always this highend sizzle on the notes with distortion that I don't love.
That natural lo passivity and smooth harmonics of tubes it’s the taste guitarist and audiophiles crave. Guitarist tested, Mom approved .... or was that Kix?
It's one of those age old arguments. They both serve different people for different purposes. The Katana is a perfect compromise for home practice, recording and gigging. It is also a great pedal platform. A tube amp is just a different beast to be tamed. You can love both 😉
philipb i picked up the regular boss katana 100. i know the artist is better but the price was too close to a real tube amp for it to be worth it to me. at 359 i think the regular katana sounds fantastic and would be really hard to beat at that price range
Even though I preferred the Artist here, I'd still say that for bedroom jamming, the Katana is the better option as you can cut the output down to 0.5w; even on 0.5w, I can blast my neighbours out.
They both achieve good tones, the Katana is a great practice platform, but as with all modeling style amps it never really reproduces that great tube sound perfectly. The artist is a good tube amp but I am not a fan of the EL84, the losses at the top end is a hard no for me. Plenty of better tube amps out there to compare to the Katana. I use modeling amps, but I will always prefer the sound of my tube amps.
Boss Katana vs Tube Amp: Does the Katana Keep up? Timestamps: 0:00 - About this Video 1:13 - Boss Katana Jam Track 3:42 - Tube Amp Jam Track 6:25 - Clean Tones Compared 7:43 - Crunch Tones Compared 8:24 - Lead Tones Compared 9:35 - Final Thoughts The amplifiers in this video: ►Katana - imp.i114863.net/Z96V1 (Sweetwater) ►Check out the Tube Amp - alnk.to/4Mv1fIy (Artist Guitars) ►My Guitars - imp.i114863.net/intheblues (Using these links supports the channel at no extra cost to you) **This video is not sponsored in any way**
I used to think that a digital/solid state amp couldn't ever be able to mimic the sound of a nice tube amp. Then as I grew older and wiser, I realized that it was never about mimicking the sound but more of mimicking the feel and how the feel affects the sound. Today we have solid state amps that sound better than tube amps, multi effects pedals that feel better than tube amps that go direct to a P.A. It's mind-blowing and that is something I couldn't say 10 years ago.
@KC You obviously don't have any real recording experience do you? There is a reason why record label companies are recommending multi-effects pedals and why bigger venues like studios are recommending going direct. If you don't have the experience to support what you're saying other than the usual trolly response then why even comment?
I'm 68 and until 2 years ago played strictly tube amps since 1960. I have Marshalls, Fenders, Bugeras and more. All I will say is since I got my Katana they're all sitting in a room gathering dust unused, and nothing in this video changed my mind about my decision to stick with my Katana. ✌🤘😎
I just bought the Katana and once you get The tones set up, it competes with a tube amp, not saying it is better but it is very versatile. To my ears it is really nice sounding and I am a tube guy.
I agree, and with all of the tools available for recording,, the AUX in, and the cab simulators, not to mention that he had to turn the katana down to 50 to make things fair.
I was so obsessed with tube amps that I made a few of my own. Now I play my Katana and follow more of a "Shut up and play 'yer guitar" philosophy with a smile on my face.
The tube amp lets the solo notes 'sing' a lot more. Very full and warm. I've been toying with selling my 100w high gain JCM900 (blisteringly loud) for a Katana. But this makes me want to keep the tube amp. Maybe I'll get a secondhand Katana and have both. Haha. Thanks Shane. Great vid once again. 😁👍
I have to say, it wasn't even close. the Katana sounded better in every way. the tube amp sounded muffled to me for some reason. i might have to find a used katana on marketplace and see if i can get one used
No surprise that the Katana sounded soooo good! I own a 100 watt model w/12 inch speaker. I’ve stopped playing my tube amps, the katana does it all for me now!!!
I own a Katana 50 MK2 and an Orange Rocker 15, honestly, the rocker 15 cranked up in dirty mode is something beautiful, but the Katana is insane, so much tonal options that sound as good or at least, 99.99999999999999% as good as the tube amp, make me have my tube amp disconnected most of the time. Honestly, the Katana is awesome and I think most people would fail a blind test, also, no need to think about tube replacing makes me almost abandon the idea tubes are better. I agree with you.
there's no "better", you can appreciate both but in terms of bang for buck the Katana is a killer amp. If the tube amp you like costs way more, pay the difference with a smile and enjoy it.
The BIG comparison is price point. Huge difference and the value in just having a single amp for so many options of tone with the Katana is insane. Any Gen 3 folks in chat yet?
Great demo, as always Shane! Two items for those who think the Katana has too many highs. 1. Use the tone controls, you know, like that treble knob. It actually works. 2. Find the Sneaky Amps. Just load the live sets and try 20 additional amps. There are much better amps than the 5 on the front of the Katana, better cleans, better crunch, etc. They are free and already in the amp, so why not check them out?! I liked the sounds on the tube amp, but Katana adds more flexibility, like going from a Fender clean to a Mesa Boogie Dual Rec high gain in one button press.
I run the katana artist and I use it as a pedal platform and use the gafc to switch effects on the panel to go with my existing pedal board. I crank the presence and set my eq and it sounds amazing I used to be a tube purist before owning the artist 100. I run a full-tone ocd and it gives me such warm overdrive with my american strat and my warmoth strat with pearly gates. No more tube replacements for me. Later
I used to think that a digital/solid state amp couldn't ever be able to mimic the sound of a nice tube amp. Then as I grew older and wiser, I realized that it was never about mimicking the sound but more of mimicking the feel and how the feel affects the sound. Today we have solid state amps that sound better than tube amps, multi effects pedals that feel better than tube amps that go direct to a P.A. It's amazing how much digital/sooud state amps and IR's have evolved and how much better than they can feel/sound than a tube amp. Nobody would have agreed with ke 10 years ago but today is a different day lol
Man. I always say I'm going to start using solid state stuff like the Katana, but man...when I hear it back to back with a decent tube amp, I just can't do it. There is something about that warmth in tube amps... I just can't let go of it. my 2 cents.
Me too. Was on the fence about the katana 2x12 Mkii. Ended up with a blackstar ht club 40 mkii. Tube amps are where it’s at and no one can honestly deny that...
Still Livin' The Blues That’s because you’ve convinced yourself that tubes are just better, warmer and so on. When Solid-state has just as much warmth and punch these days. Tubes are becoming less popular these days, with advancements in technology and that’s a good thing for us guitarists. The main difference here is the Katana is just voiced differently and has a completely different speaker. It’s like comparing two completely different tube amps with different cabs!
I agree. To me it’s more about feel. Valves just react in a much more organic way than transistors do. This is because of the a tube works. Your guitar has a much more direct connection.
Benjamin Holladay organic? It’s just an electrical signal going in and one coming out at the end of the day. All that organic, warmth and whatever tube snobby people come out with can be easily replicated with today’s technology. Solid-state is the future and ever guitarist should be happy amazing guitar tone can be had with SS tec. Price, weight, reliability and being much more flexible tone wise! Embrace the future 👍🏻
@@jazznotes3802 - "you've just convinced yourself that tubes are just better..." - Not when I compared a tube amp, and a solid state amp side by side, and actually like the tube amp better. I own plenty of solid states, I've even built some... On several occasions, I have compared side-by-side a good tube amp with a good solid state...and for me, the good tube amp has always won. I haven't "Convinced" myself of anything. I just prefer that sound. You may prefer the solid state...and that's fine. But to say, I've "convinced" myself of something before, or even after comparing, is just utter ridiculousness. I have no idea why you'd want to argue with personal preference. At no point do I put down solid state amps. I use them often.
Shane, it would be very helpful if in future you give the eq settings for the amps....the way you dial them in may not be how others would do it. For example, Dave Simpson, who you know, dials the katana in with 0 eq for a lot of tones and gets a great sound....equal to the artist imo....cheers
The Katana has a much nicer clean tone. The tube amp sounds small in comparison and has less highs and lows. You could of course dial the Katana’s EQ to make it sound narrower like that. For the crunch and lead tones the tube amp sounds small and fizzy. That’s not a great sounding amp at all. If you turn the treble down on the Katana it will sound muddy like that tube amp.
As a player I don't have a lot of experience with tube amps, just the Mesa Boogie Mark IV I owned for about four months. That amp seemed like a lot of money for something my Amplitube 4 does just as well in the mix. I now own a Katan 50 mark 1 a Katana 100 212 MARK 2 and a Katana Artist 100 MARK 2 with the GAFC foot switch and all three of those amps combined cost less that the Mesa Boogie, and are more versatile and cover more situations than the Boogie. Thankfully I'm not plagued with the Valve maintenance and weight. I'll take take the Katana all day over a valve amp!
It may be TH-cam’s compression or the tone and eq profile of my studio monitors, but I think I preferred the Katana overall. There were areas that the tube amp had better tones, but overall the Katana just sounded better.
@@davidhaolai You have to seek out a .TSL file for the Katana Tone Studio. Look for the Sneaky Amps and the Dumble Amps. When you download them, open up your Tone Studio and bring those files in. You can then create a new live set and insert those amps in your Katana.
@@brandonlesko3126 with a ton of tweaking to the sneaky amps. they aren't that special if you ask me. you can get better tones just knowing how to eq the amp properly
I dunno- the Katana definitely had more high end sizzle on these tracks- but I don't think you need to go into the Parametric EQ to get rid of that- just dial it out on the panel- pretty easy to back off treble and Presence- I feel like the tube amp was much darker- almost like a blanket was on it- but the Katana can do that too pretty easily. I think more time needed to be spent matching the tones- not just "comparing" them.
I feel like things aren't "dialed in" as much as they could be. That being said, you are an awesome person for putting yourself out there and doing these videos.
This is fair. I'd be curious to hear them both eq'ed. Makes me want to get an eq for my katana. I also want a bonzai tube screamer, but it's hard to justify a pedal that costs as much as the amp.
Great comp Shane! BOTH sound great in their own way! I think a lot comes down to SPEAKER! Katana way more treble, the Tweedy more low mid thump! BUT both the clean and o/d on the Artist, had a nicer 'character' as it were, even tho it COULD have been brighter. TRY with the same speaker as the constant in the comparison, THEN it comes down to circuits! But I like BOTH amps! Nice jam too! \m/
I liked them both. Mind you I was blind folded and had ear plugs in so I couldn't see or hear any difference at all! But seriously, I think I preferred the Katana in most cases, but I'm sure in the room sound would have been different.
@@alainbrisebois8334 I largely prefer the Katana, the Artist sounds narrow IMO. And if you want narrower/warmer sound on the Katana, you just tweak the treble knob, that works perfectly. But I'm more of a "function/practicality" guy: if it works, I go for it. If I was more "material nerd", I'd go for a tube for sure ;) On the other hand, in motorbikes i'm way more interested in what I ride than how practical/fast it is.
@@bobby1970 The Artist in this video is the other amp (tube amp), not the Katana, though a "Katana Artist" exists. The Katana displayed in this video is the "Katana 100 MK2" not the "Katana Artist" ;)
When I was young I bought a used Fender Super Reverb... pre CBS. It weights 65lbs (still got it in the garage). Then when I was in my 40s I bought a Zinky 25 watt valve amp. It weighs about 40 lbs. Now I'm 68 and I bought a Fender Bronco 40 which weighs less than 20lbs. But when I do go out to play for senior centers I bring my Vox Mimi 3 - runs on batteries. It weighs like 2.5 lbs. Seems like the older I get the less concerned I am with my tone. I also can use the mini with my classical guitar as well as any electric. I will say that I do like the valve sound the best though. The "ice pick" description is a good one. Actually I have noticed this type of high end volume coming from the "new and improved" designed classical guitars with the double top and lattice bracing designs and I still prefer the old traditional fan braced guitars as designed by Torres. Funny though, when it comes to electric guitars I have to admit that my favorite guitar is the $400 Squire tele that I got recently. I also have a 1970 EL 335, a Heritage 575 and a PRS fitted with P 90s. I like the tele cause it cuts through even at a low volume and the trebles are unbelievable... but not "ice pick" like.
The Artist is a cool concept, but the Katana is the way to go. Especially if you have half a mind for computers and get into the tone editing software. Katana goes from bedroom to stage, has great FX built in. Takes pedals well. Has a wide range of gain options. I regret selling my original katana 1, but now have an excuse to get the II ;)
Is it time up for tubes? There are still plenty being bought out there. Without doubt versatility goes to the Katana and witout all the heat build up ..but we'll see
Very true! I have a 100 mk2 1x12 and I play at the 0.5w setting at rehearsal with my full band even. 2 guitars, bass, drums and 3 vocals. It is cranked at that setting but I couldn't believe it would keep up. I can't imagine fully cranking the 100w setting.
@@brandonlesko3126 I am considerate neighbor too and even a cranked .5 w setting is too loud. I crank the master full and keep my practive volume around 4-5...plenty loud!
I was hearing some Offspring in that bridge. As far as the amps go, I feel like I'm in the minority when it comes to the Katana. I can't stand the sound. Its sounds way to digital and fake to me. I will take a tube amp over it any day.
sorry I have to disagree with that . Better is quite subjective . In my opinion both of them sound good at certain taste of individual. Overall i will go for katana for it versatility, of course for me. cheers
Both are great, I can still hear a bit of that digital fizz on the Katana especially the lead tone. The tube amp is more rounded and smooth with bloom. Katana though is "all in one" effects and amp. Im probably biased though, I still love my tube amps.
With head phones or monitors you can hear fizz on an internet or you tube with his mike setting etc. etc. WOW how ironic supe human hearing or full of ----
Got 2 love that tube sound however the artist tweed 20r wouldn't be enough watts for gigging and a tube amp for gigging is just twice as expensive as the katana. My ears want the tweed but my brain believes in the katana as the better choice.
I'll squeeze my Katana tones for a little while more. It's a very flexible amp to use and can allow you to play a lot. Tubes are tubes, hey sound great.
I have a Katana Artist which IMHO is the way to go with Katana lineup, for gigs it has everything effects loop, line out, standby, power settings .... To me the speaker and cabinet make all the difference plus with a little time you can get the exact clean tone your looking for. I use it the same as my Fender HRD - clean with pedals. I have never cared for the HRD crunch, sounds muddy, and I really don't use the other Katana settings as my pedal board rocks. I have A/B'ed the two amps and you will be hard pressed to guess which is which listening or playing. I have been gigging with it for about 2 years now and it has been solid.
Hi, really pleased the Artist is serving you well. I've been trying to make up my mind about the Artist 100 or the 100 2x12, so I asked Andertons for advice. I was wondering if the extra speaker would make up for lack of a Waza speaker. I was told that if I just wanted to record at home then definitely go for the Artist, but the 2x12 is the way to go for gigging. I'm still keen on getting the Artist though, how does it cope with a band, is it loud enough to cope with a loud drummer? I appreciate your help in this matter. Cheers, Ronnie.
Gary I agree with you in that of all the Katana amps the Artist with the single waza speaker has a much better tone than the 2x12 100w. I am a tone snob and while people seem to think me crazy the design of your cabinet and the choice of speaker makes all the difference in the world. I like the upgrades that you get with the MKII series but truthfully the series one Artist is still better than the MKII 2x12 100w. In my opinion.
I totally get the idea behind this video. I have a music room full of tube amplifiers and 98% of the time I am playing this little Orange Crush 12 solid state right now. Takes pedals amazingly! At one point I was playing an MXR distortion + and it’s this incredibly compressed sound which is a lot of fun. So I was like, well this little amplifier as great as it is lacks a lot of headroom. Then I plugged in a modded boss blues driver, and man it sounded as loud and open as a 12 watts fender tube amplifier. Really great little amp. Will never ever sell my tube amplifiers, but I get this different technology. This Boss katana will do all those bar gigs just fine and nobody will care. And best of all you won’t care if someone slops beer onto it.
@@LostMyMojo100 It's because the price of gear in Australia is ridiculously high, and Artist offer quality at prices that don't break the bank. Nothing to do with herd behaviour (or flocks, whatever).
I've had several Katana's and I think they are great for certain types of music - Clean - Blues - low gain rock. Also if you're the only guitar player on stage. If you're playing with someone who has a proper tube amp you will find yourself chasing their tone and never matching it. Also, when it comes to hard rock or heavier they fall apart at gig volumes. The way a tube amp compresses and naturally rolls off the high end is almost the opposite with a digital amp. They become buzz saws with too much rumble and that's why I've never kept one. Great for home use and practice, mainly for their weight advantage and built in FX but just cant hang with a good tube amp live. And this may not be others experience but for me, digital amps don't feedback the same pleasant way. But the huge caveat is the audience wont care either way.
I had the Boss Katana ....the one with 2x12" speakers. It weighed a ton! lol! So much for saving my back! I'm now using the Marshall DSL 40. Something about seeing that Marshall sitting there that makes me want to play more. idk? I guess it just looks more inspiring? Both sounded good!
I got a Katana. And the key for dialing it in (for my taste) was high cut. I set it to 5 kHz. And it removed that unpleasant high end sizzle and fattened things up a lot.
I turn down the tone on my guitar. Also on my LP the last little bit of volume to 10 adds top end sizzle, so I don’t go there. The Katana is not mushy at all and makes my neck pickup a lot more useable. I am using a celestion cream back speaker in a homemade pine cabinet.
Thank you for this fine edit comparison. I thought the Katana had a transistor radio tone, or ice-pick sizzle as others have said which is a real bummer for blues tones compared to the tube amp. And I own a new Katana 100w. I will be downloading some patches off the online Boss website to correct this. MARTY SWARTZ did a good demo on this.
Download the Sneaky Amps. Download the Dumble Amps. Always crank the Master Volume as it does sound better. Lighter gain settings work best in my opinion.
I'll take the Katana every day of the week! With fine tweeting...there you are. As a long time user of valve amps I see no need anymore. 68 Princeton, Baseman, Ampeg V4, (2) Twins to name a few. I'm 68 years young and am not a snob.
I just bought a Katana head and had a first jam with last week. I was thrilled with the tone I got with it. I used the clean channel with some of the blues driver effect and a little reverb. I was running the Katana at 100 watts with master on full and channel volume very low. Yes the amp is bright but this meant I could roll off the volume and tone on my LP. I was getting a really nice tone. And unlike my low wattage valve heads the Katana has ludicrous amounts of clean power. I just sold my Jet City 20 watt head and now wondering if I need My Ibanez 15 watt head any more. Katana head is also compact and not too heavy. Last point, the valve heads tend to sound worse over time as the valves wear. It is expensive replacing valves.
I bought a Katana for gigs with hard load-ins but I could never get it to sound "real". I tried it without pedals and with pedals but I could never get it to work for me at gig volume. I am a Dumble clone and Twin Reverb guy so I should have known it wasn't going to work. Needless to say, I sold it.
Played (and lugged about) a laney gh100l for over a decade, and a touch more lol. Recently bought a katana head and GAFC. Took some getting used to but the katana is a fantastic piece of kit for a gigging (and ageing) musican. I play in a covers pub rock band and an original stoner metal band. I had bought the boss for the pub band, because of the flexibility sound wise, everything from blues to hard rock and metal. I now use it in the stoner band too lol!! It's just sounds great and saves the back! Plus no more tap dancing a string of fx etc. I just lift the head, pedal and a tuner. That's all I need! I urge anyone to try one. Keep an open mind!! It'll never replace valves and my laney, althought semi retired, will be pulled out for recording etc! \m/
They both sound great but as a one time gigging guitarist I would find the Katana a more practical pick for it's versatility and ability to keep up with the rest of the band. I preferred solid state Peaveys and Fenders for durability and volume. The Fender Champion 100 was a favorite. Let's be honest...you make any amp sound cool.
Great review, thanks. I ended up selling my Blues Junior and getting a Fender GTX 50, which I chose over the Katana. Yes, the valve amp sounded great but I couldn't get past the power consumption. I don't gig but I play a lot at home. Now I can walk out of the room and not have to worry about turning the amp off.
I have a Katana 50 mkii sitting on top of my Marshall DSL40CR. Now, with respect to price points they are in a different league, and of course the DSL blows the Katana out of the water. My biggest issue with the Katana is the ice picky tones it gets when gain is added. I really only use it as a speaking volume amp for late night practice. Any time i have cranked up the volume I want to throw it out the window. I have a love hate relationship with it. Great features, lots of "sounds" but I wouldn't call a single one a usable tone. I actually would prefer my Fender Mustang 3 back. I swore off digital a while back but based on reviews I picked up the Katana after dumping a Bugera V5. In hind site this was a mistake. I am right back to wanting to trade it for something else. I see a blues jr in my future.
@@sixslinger9951 I did, but in my personal opinion it really wasn't worth the hassle. I now own a Princeton Reverb, Mesa Boogie Cali Tweed, Super Reverb, Ac15c1, Marshall DSL40CR and a Blackstar HT1. I have no interest in ever looking back. For 250 bucks for what it is, sure go for it and spend the time to dial it in. Keep in mind my comment was over a year ago I obviously moved on and upward.
This review is exactly where I find myself in my present amp shopping quandary. I want tubes.. I need bedroom volume (live in a townhouse) so I can't crank it up... so I've been looking at 1W,5W, 7W, 15W, 18W, 20W, and 22W some with built in attenuators but even those at even 0.5W are realistically too loud if I use anything other than strictly clean... So.. to get a satisfactory tube amp, I'll need a decent tube amp (hopefully with reverb)(even better with footswitchable 2 channels and an effects loop plus then buy a decent attenuator/power soak.... all the ones that actually work without destroying the tone I'm so desperately seeking cost in excess of mid $300's plus.... So In a compromise to my pocketbook I started looking at this Katana head.... I've watched a video of it set to 0.5W and it's still too loud. So if I'm going to have to buy all of these extras regardless, I may just bite the bullet and buy some relatively low powered 2 channel Hughes & Kettner that has the attenuator and reverb already built in. A couple of the Bugera's and Peavey's look interesting but I don't know their reputation for longevity and dependability. I've already got a 2X12 vertical cab loaded with a pair of 16 Ohm Vintage 30's ordered..... any suggestions?
You may already be well aware of this, but the katana head actually has a mini built in 5" speaker - in the head itself (no need for a cab at all). Admittedly it isn't the most responsive but it will certainly let you play at quite social and manageable volumes, with the option of dropping into a cab when needed. Personally, I used to use a 40w 2x12 valve until I got onto the katana and have never looked back.
Great vid man , awesome comparison. I was worried about this vid. 2 weeks ago I sold my katana 100 and got the Artist tweed tone. But now.....after watching this..... I made the right choice in my opinion. Haven’t stopped playing my Artist.
I've got a Fender Super Champ X2 and XD. They are combo amps with 3 tubes and 16 voices. Voice channels are combination tube & digital. I believe the clean channel is all 3 tubes. Someone may correct me. Takes pedals well. They sound great to me. Loud enough to gig with. 10” speaker. The X2 I upgraded speaker to a Legend 1058. Only on the used market but worth picking up one..or 2. 😅
For me, tube all the way. The Katana sounds great. But the artist has a more open and organic roundness with less harshness. Still, the Katana is a wonderful and much more practical and flexible tool.
I had a strange observation during the initial "in the mix" demos. With the Strat on the clean Katana, I felt like it sounded sterile, but the Strat sounded very stratty, as you'd expect. With the Artist, my immediate impression was that the cleans were way better, but the "stratty" sound was gone. When you played the Strat isolated on both amps, it was clear why: the brighter Katana preserves the strat tone, where the Artist is darker, which kills the strat tone.
Katana sounded better with the clean and crunch, tuber sounded great with the lead, katana was good on the leads, tube just edged it out tho, overall, you really can't beat a katana
I have become a Boss Katana sucker given I own the Artist Mkl, Katana 50 Mkll, Katana Mini and the Katana Air. Tried the Waza head phones but sent them back due to the giro drift.. To balance it out I also picked up an Artist Tweed-tone V.. At some point I will learn to play the guitar to justify the investment.. 😂 On the video the Katana had the edge IMO.. 👍🇦🇺
It's almost as if the EL-84 amp could use some sort of....uh...a _top boost_ ... to the circuit to make up for some lost highs. Something new and revolutionary that's never been done before. Maybe and extra gain stage that could be added to the amp...or in some device that goes between the guitar and the amp that can sit on top of the amp...or in front of the amp...with an on-off switch. Maybe a switch that you could step on. ...Nah!...dumb idea. No one would ever want that...never mind.
Actually come to think of it I've seen some kids messing around with these little boxes that have switches and knobs and they plug into amps and...no...maybe I'm confused. What you said sounds like a good idea though!
@@tedruybalid2262 No...I take it back...terrible idea, really. That might just push the amp to distortion. Nobody wants an amp that distorts and takes away from the purest tone possible. It might also make the guitar louder than the clarinet and the accordion.
Ivan you either need to play better, or stop playing at 3 in the morning, or most likely need some new neighbors..LOL. Keep playin mate. They will move.
IMO The Katana is the winner.. Both sounded similar during leads to me.. The Artist sounded muffled during the crunch chords.. Maybe just the way it comes out on TH-cam.. Thanks for the comparison...
Some people will disagree, but the stock Katana speakers just aren't that good. They are cheap speakers, which is partly why they can sell those amps so cheap. They're not bad, but they just don't compare to a higher end speaker. Don't believe me, swap out the stock speaker with your favorite Celestion or Eminence or whatever you like and see for yourself. I have a Katana MKI 100 2x12 that I replaced the speakers in with a Vintage 30 and a stock speaker from an HRD III, which is a Celestion G1280-P, and it sounds so much clearer and better throughout the entire tonal spectrum. It sounds like a true valve amp now. I run my Headrush pedalboard through it and it sounds amazing.
When you mentioned the Katana was better if you live in an apartment, I was thinking a good guitarist tip is that if you are applying to rent a detached house, don't tell the landlord it's because you want to play your tube amp full volume :-) I did have 50w tube amp in an apartment but it had a good master volume knob so it was ok
Hey my Aussie brother (I just lived there for a year) have you checked out the great guitar 🎸 build off? You should AT LEAST push yourself into being a commentator. Mostly I think you’d do a cool very laid back trash talk. And they do desperately need more of that.
I have a boss katana 50 MkII, super versatile this amp, im country rock player, and this amp can do everithing you want, i can play from classic traditional country, passing to Country Rock, to Classic rock or Heavy Rock music, it can do everything.
To my ear, the valve amp sounded better. That tube compression just makes it sound so creamy. I have a Line 6 Catalyst and I think it sounds closer to that Artist amp and it sounds great. I chose it over the Katana. I agree with you about the mids. However, I thought think the valve amp lacked a little clarity, in my opinion. Conversely, I would probably roll off the treble a little. The Catalyst gives the best of both worlds, from a tone perspective, but falls down in the effects area. But I have a decent pedal board, so that isn't an issue for me. Thanks for the video and bias confirmation. 😉😂
I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and my ac30 is no problem at all, well at least not to me :D... I should explain. I wouldn't usually not care too much about disturbing people, but I have a downstairs neighbour blasting music whenever they want, even at 4am, so not a problem, started working nights. then in my apartment, (high rise) the council decided to redo the lifts for 7 months. my night job didn't last much after they started. so now also started playing basketball in the apartment and jamming that vox when I feel like it, so long as its not after 11pm.
If you ever decide to buy one of these Boss Katana KTN-100 amps I very highly recommend also buying the optional Boss GA-FC Foot Controller, it makes things much more convenient with regards to switching channels on the amp, I have a GA-FC and it works great.
That's his American Original 50s Strat. He did a video on it not all that long ago. Just check his uploads and it shouldn't be all that far back. Great guitar. 👍
I´m debating between Boss katana Mk2 50W vs Harley benton 15w tube amp (Or the 5 w cause you know money) i need something for band (we arent big band, and we dont play big gigs ), I want to use pedalboard with it. What would oyu guys recomend? Is it worth it to buy tube amp more than the katana if so will 5 w be enough or do I buy the 15 w? Oh yes and i forget as a band we play pop, rock and all the genres along these lines.
I bought a Katana for my guitar school and I think it doesn't sound very good. Just an average unexpensive amp. I prefer the ht5r from blackstar but it's twice the price.
Nice playing my friend 👍👍.. but how did you manage the drums and guitar simultaneously 🤔😁 im kidding lol.. good jam and playing though keep on keeping on 👍👍
I have a katana and I also have owned tube amps, they're both great for different things. Quite honestly I like the tone of the tube amp isolated, but I honestly felt a lot of the tube qualities disappeared once it was in the mix and it sounded a bit mushy compared to the katana. If I would have heard these tracks without knowing, I would have guessed the katana was the tube amp. it's great to have a great sounding amp out of the box but how many of us honestly play straight into a amp without no EQ, effects or anything else for that matter... this is where the katana shines, the fact so versatile. I've had great tube amps that should have gave me the wow factor but they just didn't... my boss Katana produces tones I could never really get out of my tube amps.
TL:DR for the comments: “The katana sounds great/bad and the artist sounds bad/great!” “I don’t think the katana was dialed in right/the tube amp was too muddy/the katana is unsalvageable because it’s not tubes.” “I love my katana/I love my tube amp!”
There were times when the Katana sounded better, but one place it absolutely did not was clean. I have a Katana because it's quiet, but the cleans weren't so good. I fixed that with a compressor and the venerable Joyo American Sound. Really livened it up and made it feel better. I think the Katana is a pretty good pedal platform. When I first got it I used to mess around with the tone studio, but I haven't opened that in months and months. I have a bunch of other amps but for playing and home without annoying the people who live with me, I play through the Boss. If nobody else is home I play through a Super Reverb or an AC30 without giving the Boss a second thought. If I lived in an apartment I may not own any tube amps at all.
I'm a 54 yr old Aussie that grew up with a jcm 800 half stack and a couple of Boss pedals for my first rig back in the 80s. I just cannot feel right without valves. I've tried some of these modelling things, I even played around with a mate's Kemper but for me, it will always need to be the real thing - valves/tubes. Maybe I'm just too old and my ears are just geared to what they grew up listening to and playing with.
![ผัวเถื่อน - ยูริ โตเกียวมิวสิค [ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P08ORRVDGl8/mqdefault.jpg)
and both of these amps come in left handed versions?
Nice
@Jonathon doe the left handed ones do smell different.
I dunno, but I've always needed left handed picks.
@@JAF2991 I use those for the Hendrix tone
@off spec these are the tips they don't put in the instruction manual
Something I learned from another TH-camr (wish I could remember who so I could give them credit): when using higher gain tones on the Katana, enable the parametric EQ and set the high cut to 6.3 kHz. This tames the sizzle and sounds great. Now you can crank the amp without the ice pick highs.
Might have been Juca Nery. He has some videos where he walks through how he builds a Katana patch and the parametric EQ is one that he’s always tweaking.
I had to do that on the Nextone as well before I sent it back to Roland.
great point, i feel these amps try to get too hi-fi and sound unnatural. same as using IR's. tame top and bottom for most natural tones
You can also do it in the global EQ to remove the ice picky nature of katanas, the first thing I learned about them, you really can't knock the katana after listening to this,
For the money the katana is increadable, the katana speaker is very bright and full compared with my Marshall 1912 cab, and it compares well with my JVM too
People stick their noses up at katanas until they try one out properly, then they realise how wrong they are
@@capitanvonchickenpants8492 only issue i have with using global eq is it affects the tone of every channel setting. acoustic guitar likes full range.
The Katana stacked up nicely for sure! The edge still goes to the Tube amp imo. I've found with all amps like the Katana there's always this highend sizzle on the notes with distortion that I don't love.
I feel the same way. It has a bit of a laser beam of death in the live mix and the recording captured that. :)
That natural lo passivity and smooth harmonics of tubes it’s the taste guitarist and audiophiles crave.
Guitarist tested, Mom approved .... or was that Kix?
Holy Moly, my two favorite guitar youtubers in the same place! What a day to be alive!
Two of my fav. Guitar TH-camrs. Keep up the good work, cheers.
Yep...thanks to both of you guys!
The Audience wouldn‘t care ;)
Good point.
But the artist does... and if he ain’t feelin’ it, then you ain’t getting his best.
For the most part, nobody would ever know!
I do prefer the Katana here. The Tube amp sounded like it had a damp towel over it. Normally I like that, but not in this case.
YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR EARS CHECK
@@junito1957 nah hes right tube amps are overhyped
Speaker change that’s it a Celestion Blue will be better on that amp
@@NerdFaceEmoji lol, or you have never owned a quality tube amp. Thats more likely judging by that statement.
@@justinTime077 I've borrowed some nice 2000+ ones I jus don't see it unless your a tone snob
It's one of those age old arguments. They both serve different people for different purposes. The Katana is a perfect compromise for home practice, recording and gigging. It is also a great pedal platform. A tube amp is just a different beast to be tamed. You can love both 😉
yes you can love both but often you dont have the money or room for both so sometimes you just have to pick one
philipb i picked up the regular boss katana 100. i know the artist is better but the price was too close to a real tube amp for it to be worth it to me. at 359 i think the regular katana sounds fantastic and would be really hard to beat at that price range
Even though I preferred the Artist here, I'd still say that for bedroom jamming, the Katana is the better option as you can cut the output down to 0.5w; even on 0.5w, I can blast my neighbours out.
They both achieve good tones, the Katana is a great practice platform, but as with all modeling style amps it never really reproduces that great tube sound perfectly. The artist is a good tube amp but I am not a fan of the EL84, the losses at the top end is a hard no for me. Plenty of better tube amps out there to compare to the Katana.
I use modeling amps, but I will always prefer the sound of my tube amps.
@@Firemedic361 EVER heard a VOX AC wound up?
Got a crazy thing on these amps . It’s called an equalizer .
Honestly, in my oppinion the Katana wins. By far!
But booth sound nice!
Cheers from Portugal 🍺🤘
On crunch and lead, the tube amp sounded muddy 🤷🏻♂️. The difference in clean was marginal. I am glad I have my Katana 50 😁
Boss Katana vs Tube Amp: Does the Katana Keep up?
Timestamps:
0:00 - About this Video
1:13 - Boss Katana Jam Track
3:42 - Tube Amp Jam Track
6:25 - Clean Tones Compared
7:43 - Crunch Tones Compared
8:24 - Lead Tones Compared
9:35 - Final Thoughts
The amplifiers in this video:
►Katana - imp.i114863.net/Z96V1 (Sweetwater)
►Check out the Tube Amp - alnk.to/4Mv1fIy (Artist Guitars)
►My Guitars - imp.i114863.net/intheblues
(Using these links supports the channel at no extra cost to you)
**This video is not sponsored in any way**
As a Katana (Mk I 50w) owner, I have to say that the Artist pisses all over the Katana.
Definitely!
@KC LOL! The answer IS, you wouldn't know. Recorded sound is NOT the same as playing 'feel', which you don't/can't get from listening to a recording!
I used to think that a digital/solid state amp couldn't ever be able to mimic the sound of a nice tube amp. Then as I grew older and wiser, I realized that it was never about mimicking the sound but more of mimicking the feel and how the feel affects the sound. Today we have solid state amps that sound better than tube amps, multi effects pedals that feel better than tube amps that go direct to a P.A. It's mind-blowing and that is something I couldn't say 10 years ago.
@KC You obviously don't have any real recording experience do you? There is a reason why record label companies are recommending multi-effects pedals and why bigger venues like studios are recommending going direct. If you don't have the experience to support what you're saying other than the usual trolly response then why even comment?
They both sounded like you playing through my pc speakers on youTube... :)
I'm 68 and until 2 years ago played strictly tube amps since 1960. I have Marshalls, Fenders, Bugeras and more. All I will say is since I got my Katana they're all sitting in a room gathering dust unused, and nothing in this video changed my mind about my decision to stick with my Katana. ✌🤘😎
I know the feeling.. 😊👌👍
Have you downloaded the Sneaky Amps or the Dumble Amps? They are both totally worth it.
I just bought the Katana and once you get The tones set up, it competes with a tube amp, not saying it is better but it is very versatile. To my ears it is really nice sounding and I am a tube guy.
I agree, and with all of the tools available for recording,, the AUX in, and the cab simulators, not to mention that he had to turn the katana down to 50 to make things fair.
I was so obsessed with tube amps that I made a few of my own. Now I play my Katana and follow more of a "Shut up and play 'yer guitar" philosophy with a smile on my face.
The tube amp lets the solo notes 'sing' a lot more. Very full and warm. I've been toying with selling my 100w high gain JCM900 (blisteringly loud) for a Katana. But this makes me want to keep the tube amp. Maybe I'll get a secondhand Katana and have both. Haha. Thanks Shane. Great vid once again. 😁👍
The fact it’s so hard to pick a clear winner says a lot about the Katana
Listen again
@@jimrhondaorozco309 Tone preference is subjective buddy.
I have to say, it wasn't even close. the Katana sounded better in every way. the tube amp sounded muffled to me for some reason. i might have to find a used katana on marketplace and see if i can get one used
The Artist has a tube compressed warmth ...only achieved preamp and power amp tubes.... I just love the sound of tube amps.
No surprise that the Katana sounded soooo good! I own a 100 watt model w/12 inch speaker. I’ve stopped playing my tube amps, the katana does it all for me now!!!
I own a Katana 50 MK2 and an Orange Rocker 15, honestly, the rocker 15 cranked up in dirty mode is something beautiful, but the Katana is insane, so much tonal options that sound as good or at least, 99.99999999999999% as good as the tube amp, make me have my tube amp disconnected most of the time. Honestly, the Katana is awesome and I think most people would fail a blind test, also, no need to think about tube replacing makes me almost abandon the idea tubes are better.
I agree with you.
How better is Katana as a pedal platform?
there's no "better", you can appreciate both but in terms of bang for buck the Katana is a killer amp. If the tube amp you like costs way more, pay the difference with a smile and enjoy it.
The BIG comparison is price point. Huge difference and the value in just having a single amp for so many options of tone with the Katana is insane. Any Gen 3 folks in chat yet?
Great demo, as always Shane! Two items for those who think the Katana has too many highs. 1. Use the tone controls, you know, like that treble knob. It actually works. 2. Find the Sneaky Amps. Just load the live sets and try 20 additional amps. There are much better amps than the 5 on the front of the Katana, better cleans, better crunch, etc. They are free and already in the amp, so why not check them out?!
I liked the sounds on the tube amp, but Katana adds more flexibility, like going from a Fender clean to a Mesa Boogie Dual Rec high gain in one button press.
I run the katana artist and I use it as a pedal platform and use the gafc to switch effects on the panel to go with my existing pedal board. I crank the presence and set my eq and it sounds amazing I used to be a tube purist before owning the artist 100. I run a full-tone ocd and it gives me such warm overdrive with my american strat and my warmoth strat with pearly gates. No more tube replacements for me. Later
I used to think that a digital/solid state amp couldn't ever be able to mimic the sound of a nice tube amp. Then as I grew older and wiser, I realized that it was never about mimicking the sound but more of mimicking the feel and how the feel affects the sound. Today we have solid state amps that sound better than tube amps, multi effects pedals that feel better than tube amps that go direct to a P.A. It's amazing how much digital/sooud state amps and IR's have evolved and how much better than they can feel/sound than a tube amp. Nobody would have agreed with ke 10 years ago but today is a different day lol
Man. I always say I'm going to start using solid state stuff like the Katana, but man...when I hear it back to back with a decent tube amp, I just can't do it. There is something about that warmth in tube amps... I just can't let go of it. my 2 cents.
Me too. Was on the fence about the katana 2x12 Mkii. Ended up with a blackstar ht club 40 mkii. Tube amps are where it’s at and no one can honestly deny that...
Still Livin' The Blues That’s because you’ve convinced yourself that tubes are just better, warmer and so on. When Solid-state has just as much warmth and punch these days.
Tubes are becoming less popular these days, with advancements in technology and that’s a good thing for us guitarists.
The main difference here is the Katana is just voiced differently and has a completely different speaker. It’s like comparing two completely different tube amps with different cabs!
I agree. To me it’s more about feel. Valves just react in a much more organic way than transistors do. This is because of the a tube works. Your guitar has a much more direct connection.
Benjamin Holladay organic? It’s just an electrical signal going in and one coming out at the end of the day. All that organic, warmth and whatever tube snobby people come out with can be easily replicated with today’s technology. Solid-state is the future and ever guitarist should be happy amazing guitar tone can be had with SS tec.
Price, weight, reliability and being much more flexible tone wise! Embrace the future 👍🏻
@@jazznotes3802 - "you've just convinced yourself that tubes are just better..." - Not when I compared a tube amp, and a solid state amp side by side, and actually like the tube amp better. I own plenty of solid states, I've even built some... On several occasions, I have compared side-by-side a good tube amp with a good solid state...and for me, the good tube amp has always won. I haven't "Convinced" myself of anything. I just prefer that sound. You may prefer the solid state...and that's fine. But to say, I've "convinced" myself of something before, or even after comparing, is just utter ridiculousness.
I have no idea why you'd want to argue with personal preference. At no point do I put down solid state amps. I use them often.
Shane, it would be very helpful if in future you give the eq settings for the amps....the way you dial them in may not be how others would do it. For example, Dave Simpson, who you know, dials the katana in with 0 eq for a lot of tones and gets a great sound....equal to the artist imo....cheers
The Katana has a much nicer clean tone. The tube amp sounds small in comparison and has less highs and lows. You could of course dial the Katana’s EQ to make it sound narrower like that.
For the crunch and lead tones the tube amp sounds small and fizzy. That’s not a great sounding amp at all.
If you turn the treble down on the Katana it will sound muddy like that tube amp.
It seems you can cut off the 10K+ Hz in the software, that will sort this out.
As a player I don't have a lot of experience with tube amps, just the Mesa Boogie Mark IV I owned for about four months. That amp seemed like a lot of money for something my Amplitube 4 does just as well in the mix.
I now own a Katan 50 mark 1 a Katana 100 212 MARK 2 and a Katana Artist 100 MARK 2 with the GAFC foot switch and all three of those amps combined cost less that the Mesa Boogie, and are more versatile and cover more situations than the Boogie.
Thankfully I'm not plagued with the Valve maintenance and weight.
I'll take take the Katana all day over a valve amp!
same.....my marshalls are collecting dust
It may be TH-cam’s compression or the tone and eq profile of my studio monitors, but I think I preferred the Katana overall. There were areas that the tube amp had better tones, but overall the Katana just sounded better.
You've convinced me I'm buying a Katana!
Do yourself a favor and download the Sneaky Amps and the Dumble Amps. You won't be disappointed.
@@brandonlesko3126 kindly do share how to do this
@@davidhaolai You have to seek out a .TSL file for the Katana Tone Studio. Look for the Sneaky Amps and the Dumble Amps. When you download them, open up your Tone Studio and bring those files in. You can then create a new live set and insert those amps in your Katana.
@@brandonlesko3126 thanks....
@@brandonlesko3126 with a ton of tweaking to the sneaky amps. they aren't that special if you ask me. you can get better tones just knowing how to eq the amp properly
I dunno- the Katana definitely had more high end sizzle on these tracks- but I don't think you need to go into the Parametric EQ to get rid of that- just dial it out on the panel- pretty easy to back off treble and Presence- I feel like the tube amp was much darker- almost like a blanket was on it- but the Katana can do that too pretty easily. I think more time needed to be spent matching the tones- not just "comparing" them.
The Artist Tweed!! You can't beat the fat ness and tube compression!!!
I feel like things aren't "dialed in" as much as they could be.
That being said, you are an awesome person for putting yourself out there and doing these videos.
EQ settings can adjust any kinds of differences these 2 amps have. They're VERY close.
This is fair. I'd be curious to hear them both eq'ed. Makes me want to get an eq for my katana. I also want a bonzai tube screamer, but it's hard to justify a pedal that costs as much as the amp.
@@tonybowen455 Don't need a pedal, there's a 10 band EQ built into the software.
@@SynZ777 If you need an EQ somewhere in your physical pedal chain then it would make sense to have a pedal EQ too.
Great comp Shane! BOTH sound great in their own way! I think a lot comes down to SPEAKER! Katana way more treble, the Tweedy more low mid thump! BUT both the clean and o/d on the Artist, had a nicer 'character' as it were, even tho it COULD have been brighter.
TRY with the same speaker as the constant in the comparison, THEN it comes down to circuits!
But I like BOTH amps!
Nice jam too!
\m/
I liked them both. Mind you I was blind folded and had ear plugs in so I couldn't see or hear any difference at all!
But seriously, I think I preferred the Katana in most cases, but I'm sure in the room sound would have been different.
In isolation I prefer the Artist Tweed Tone but in a mix doesn’t really matter too much in my opinion both sound as good as each other.
@@lucid_delirium976 Nope, the Artist is better sounding, my opinion.
@@alainbrisebois8334 I largely prefer the Katana, the Artist sounds narrow IMO.
And if you want narrower/warmer sound on the Katana, you just tweak the treble knob, that works perfectly.
But I'm more of a "function/practicality" guy: if it works, I go for it. If I was more "material nerd", I'd go for a tube for sure ;)
On the other hand, in motorbikes i'm way more interested in what I ride than how practical/fast it is.
@@Haplo59 When you mentioned the Katana Artist, are you talking about the normal Katana Artist, or the Katana Artist MK2?
@@bobby1970 The Artist in this video is the other amp (tube amp), not the Katana, though a "Katana Artist" exists.
The Katana displayed in this video is the "Katana 100 MK2" not the "Katana Artist" ;)
When I was young I bought a used Fender Super Reverb... pre CBS. It weights 65lbs (still got it in the garage). Then when I was in my 40s I bought a Zinky 25 watt valve amp. It weighs about 40 lbs. Now I'm 68 and I bought a Fender Bronco 40 which weighs less than 20lbs. But when I do go out to play for senior centers I bring my Vox Mimi 3 - runs on batteries. It weighs like 2.5 lbs. Seems like the older I get the less concerned I am with my tone. I also can use the mini with my classical guitar as well as any electric.
I will say that I do like the valve sound the best though. The "ice pick" description is a good one. Actually I have noticed this type of high end volume coming from the "new and improved" designed classical guitars with the double top and lattice bracing designs and I still prefer the old traditional fan braced guitars as designed by Torres.
Funny though, when it comes to electric guitars I have to admit that my favorite guitar is the $400 Squire tele that I got recently. I also have a 1970 EL 335, a Heritage 575 and a PRS fitted with P 90s. I like the tele cause it cuts through even at a low volume and the trebles are unbelievable... but not "ice pick" like.
The Artist is a cool concept, but the Katana is the way to go. Especially if you have half a mind for computers and get into the tone editing software. Katana goes from bedroom to stage, has great FX built in. Takes pedals well. Has a wide range of gain options. I regret selling my original katana 1, but now have an excuse to get the II ;)
Is it time up for tubes? There are still plenty being bought out there. Without doubt versatility goes to the Katana and witout all the heat build up ..but we'll see
Excellent production. The Artist wins for me.
Thanks, Mark! :)
I have the 100 MK1 X 1 2" and even on the .05 watt setting it gets damned loud, it is a beast
Very true! I have a 100 mk2 1x12 and I play at the 0.5w setting at rehearsal with my full band even. 2 guitars, bass, drums and 3 vocals. It is cranked at that setting but I couldn't believe it would keep up. I can't imagine fully cranking the 100w setting.
I have the same amp and I usually keep it at the 0.5 watt setting. I am a considerate neighbour though.
@@brandonlesko3126 I am considerate neighbor too and even a cranked .5 w setting is too loud. I crank the master full and keep my practive volume around 4-5...plenty loud!
I was hearing some Offspring in that bridge. As far as the amps go, I feel like I'm in the minority when it comes to the Katana. I can't stand the sound. Its sounds way to digital and fake to me. I will take a tube amp over it any day.
tube amp definitely sounds better. more character, warmth, depth to the tone.
sorry I have to disagree with that . Better is quite subjective . In my opinion both of them sound good at certain taste of individual. Overall i will go for katana for it versatility, of course for me. cheers
I have both tube and Katana. The Katana wins on versatility, and with the right eq'ing, on tone too.
*better for your ears
Both are great, I can still hear a bit of that digital fizz on the Katana especially the lead tone. The tube amp is more rounded and smooth with bloom. Katana though is "all in one" effects and amp. Im probably biased though, I still love my tube amps.
With head phones or monitors you can hear fizz on an internet or you tube with his mike setting etc. etc. WOW how ironic supe human hearing or full of ----
Got 2 love that tube sound however the artist tweed 20r wouldn't be enough watts for gigging and a tube amp for gigging is just twice as expensive as the katana.
My ears want the tweed but my brain believes in the katana as the better choice.
He said they are the same price
I'll squeeze my Katana tones for a little while more. It's a very flexible amp to use and can allow you to play a lot. Tubes are tubes, hey sound great.
I have a Katana Artist which IMHO is the way to go with Katana lineup, for gigs it has everything effects loop, line out, standby, power settings .... To me the speaker and cabinet make all the difference plus with a little time you can get the exact clean tone your looking for. I use it the same as my Fender HRD - clean with pedals. I have never cared for the HRD crunch, sounds muddy, and I really don't use the other Katana settings as my pedal board rocks. I have A/B'ed the two amps and you will be hard pressed to guess which is which listening or playing. I have been gigging with it for about 2 years now and it has been solid.
Hi, really pleased the Artist is serving you well. I've been trying to make up my mind about the Artist 100 or the 100 2x12, so I asked Andertons for advice. I was wondering if the extra speaker would make up for lack of a Waza speaker. I was told that if I just wanted to record at home then definitely go for the Artist, but the 2x12 is the way to go for gigging. I'm still keen on getting the Artist though, how does it cope with a band, is it loud enough to cope with a loud drummer? I appreciate your help in this matter. Cheers, Ronnie.
The Artist has a better speaker. That is why when I got my mkii head I opted to try it with the Harley Benton vintage cab. I dig it
Gary I agree with you in that of all the Katana amps the Artist with the single waza speaker has a much better tone than the 2x12 100w. I am a tone snob and while people seem to think me crazy the design of your cabinet and the choice of speaker makes all the difference in the world. I like the upgrades that you get with the MKII series but truthfully the series one Artist is still better than the MKII 2x12 100w. In my opinion.
The artist is another level. The speaker and cab are better. Actually, the speaker is much better and normal katana speaker is not average at all.
@@killacoiler1707 same with me...the Artist is worth the $200 upgrade. the waza speaker alone costs that much.
Tube sounded better. And I play that katana amp
I definitely liked the Katana in both the cleans and the crunch settings. the Tube amp just sounded way to muddy on the gained up tones.
I totally get the idea behind this video. I have a music room full of tube amplifiers and 98% of the time I am playing this little Orange Crush 12 solid state right now. Takes pedals amazingly! At one point I was playing an MXR distortion + and it’s this incredibly compressed sound which is a lot of fun. So I was like, well this little amplifier as great as it is lacks a lot of headroom. Then I plugged in a modded boss blues driver, and man it sounded as loud and open as a 12 watts fender tube amplifier. Really great little amp. Will never ever sell my tube amplifiers, but I get this different technology. This Boss katana will do all those bar gigs just fine and nobody will care. And best of all you won’t care if someone slops beer onto it.
Half of all the young guitarists I meet or play with in Sydney are always talking up Artist. And for good reason.
young musicians are like a flock of birds.... if one does it, they all do it....😉
@@LostMyMojo100
It's because the price of gear in Australia is ridiculously high, and Artist offer quality at prices that don't break the bank.
Nothing to do with herd behaviour (or flocks, whatever).
I've had several Katana's and I think they are great for certain types of music - Clean - Blues - low gain rock. Also if you're the only guitar player on stage. If you're playing with someone who has a proper tube amp you will find yourself chasing their tone and never matching it. Also, when it comes to hard rock or heavier they fall apart at gig volumes. The way a tube amp compresses and naturally rolls off the high end is almost the opposite with a digital amp. They become buzz saws with too much rumble and that's why I've never kept one. Great for home use and practice, mainly for their weight advantage and built in FX but just cant hang with a good tube amp live. And this may not be others experience but for me, digital amps don't feedback the same pleasant way. But the huge caveat is the audience wont care either way.
I had the Boss Katana ....the one with 2x12" speakers. It weighed a ton! lol! So much for saving my back! I'm now using the Marshall DSL 40. Something about seeing that Marshall sitting there that makes me want to play more. idk? I guess it just looks more inspiring? Both sounded good!
I feel slightly the same way...I need to get out of my own head!
Katana 2x12 is heavy?
A Fender The Twin IS REAL HEAVY...37.5 kg
@Greg Heidt I haven't had any problems! It sounds great! Never overheats or anything!
@Greg Heidt the DSL40CR is fantastic. Must better than the previous generation
my artist weighs around 40 lbs...how is that back breaking? my marshall head alone weighs over 50 lbs
Tube amp sound better all the way around
The katana seemed more aggressive in the top end on the higher gain settings the tube amp was smooth.
Try using the katana with an IR loader. Big improvement.
I got a Katana. And the key for dialing it in (for my taste) was high cut. I set it to 5 kHz. And it removed that unpleasant high end sizzle and fattened things up a lot.
@ Christan: Is this hicut setting modied via Tone Studio?
@@johnfeole1971 yes
@@johnfeole1971, yes, it is. In the last EQ section.
@@WatchesnguitarsDK thanks..
I turn down the tone on my guitar. Also on my LP the last little bit of volume to 10 adds top end sizzle, so I don’t go there. The Katana is not mushy at all and makes my neck pickup a lot more useable. I am using a celestion cream back speaker in a homemade pine cabinet.
Thank you for this fine edit comparison. I thought the Katana had a transistor radio tone, or ice-pick sizzle as others have said which is a real bummer for blues tones compared to the tube amp. And I own a new Katana 100w. I will be downloading some patches off the online Boss website to correct this. MARTY SWARTZ did a good demo on this.
For me it's about understanding your gear. Idea for a new video: tips and tricks for getting great tones from the Katana
Download the Sneaky Amps. Download the Dumble Amps.
Always crank the Master Volume as it does sound better.
Lighter gain settings work best in my opinion.
Ice pick feel /sound is the worst
I'll take the Katana every day of the week! With fine tweeting...there you are. As a long time user of valve amps I see no need anymore. 68 Princeton, Baseman, Ampeg V4, (2) Twins to name a few. I'm 68 years young and am not a snob.
I just bought a Katana head and had a first jam with last week. I was thrilled with the tone I got with it. I used the clean channel with some of the blues driver effect and a little reverb. I was running the Katana at 100 watts with master on full and channel volume very low. Yes the amp is bright but this meant I could roll off the volume and tone on my LP. I was getting a really nice tone. And unlike my low wattage valve heads the Katana has ludicrous amounts of clean power. I just sold my Jet City 20 watt head and now wondering if I need My Ibanez 15 watt head any more. Katana head is also compact and not too heavy. Last point, the valve heads tend to sound worse over time as the valves wear. It is expensive replacing valves.
Just like your user name.
I bought a Katana for gigs with hard load-ins but I could never get it to sound "real". I tried it without pedals and with pedals but I could never get it to work for me at gig volume. I am a Dumble clone and Twin Reverb guy so I should have known it wasn't going to work. Needless to say, I sold it.
You probably just needed to drink more or smoke some weed.
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel lol best reply ever
Played (and lugged about) a laney gh100l for over a decade, and a touch more lol. Recently bought a katana head and GAFC. Took some getting used to but the katana is a fantastic piece of kit for a gigging (and ageing) musican. I play in a covers pub rock band and an original stoner metal band. I had bought the boss for the pub band, because of the flexibility sound wise, everything from blues to hard rock and metal. I now use it in the stoner band too lol!! It's just sounds great and saves the back! Plus no more tap dancing a string of fx etc. I just lift the head, pedal and a tuner. That's all I need! I urge anyone to try one. Keep an open mind!! It'll never replace valves and my laney, althought semi retired, will be pulled out for recording etc! \m/
They both sound great but as a one time gigging guitarist I would find the Katana a more practical pick for it's versatility and ability to keep up with the rest of the band. I preferred solid state Peaveys and Fenders for durability and volume. The Fender Champion 100 was a favorite. Let's be honest...you make any amp sound cool.
Great review, thanks. I ended up selling my Blues Junior and getting a Fender GTX 50, which I chose over the Katana. Yes, the valve amp sounded great but I couldn't get past the power consumption. I don't gig but I play a lot at home. Now I can walk out of the room and not have to worry about turning the amp off.
I have a Katana 50 mkii sitting on top of my Marshall DSL40CR. Now, with respect to price points they are in a different league, and of course the DSL blows the Katana out of the water. My biggest issue with the Katana is the ice picky tones it gets when gain is added. I really only use it as a speaking volume amp for late night practice. Any time i have cranked up the volume I want to throw it out the window. I have a love hate relationship with it. Great features, lots of "sounds" but I wouldn't call a single one a usable tone. I actually would prefer my Fender Mustang 3 back. I swore off digital a while back but based on reviews I picked up the Katana after dumping a Bugera V5. In hind site this was a mistake. I am right back to wanting to trade it for something else. I see a blues jr in my future.
I guess you never found the para eq or knew how to use it ?
@@sixslinger9951 I did, but in my personal opinion it really wasn't worth the hassle. I now own a Princeton Reverb, Mesa Boogie Cali Tweed, Super Reverb, Ac15c1, Marshall DSL40CR and a Blackstar HT1. I have no interest in ever looking back. For 250 bucks for what it is, sure go for it and spend the time to dial it in. Keep in mind my comment was over a year ago I obviously moved on and upward.
This review is exactly where I find myself in my present amp shopping quandary. I want tubes.. I need bedroom volume (live in a townhouse) so I can't crank it up... so I've been looking at 1W,5W, 7W, 15W, 18W, 20W, and 22W some with built in attenuators but even those at even 0.5W are realistically too loud if I use anything other than strictly clean... So.. to get a satisfactory tube amp, I'll need a decent tube amp (hopefully with reverb)(even better with footswitchable 2 channels and an effects loop plus then buy a decent attenuator/power soak.... all the ones that actually work without destroying the tone I'm so desperately seeking cost in excess of mid $300's plus.... So
In a compromise to my pocketbook I started looking at this Katana head.... I've watched a video of it set to 0.5W and it's still too loud. So if I'm going to have to buy all of these extras regardless, I may just bite the bullet and buy some relatively low powered 2 channel Hughes & Kettner that has the attenuator and reverb already built in. A couple of the Bugera's and Peavey's look interesting but I don't know their reputation for longevity and dependability. I've already got a 2X12 vertical cab loaded with a pair of 16 Ohm Vintage 30's ordered..... any suggestions?
You may already be well aware of this, but the katana head actually has a mini built in 5" speaker - in the head itself (no need for a cab at all). Admittedly it isn't the most responsive but it will certainly let you play at quite social and manageable volumes, with the option of dropping into a cab when needed. Personally, I used to use a 40w 2x12 valve until I got onto the katana and have never looked back.
Great vid man , awesome comparison. I was worried about this vid. 2 weeks ago I sold my katana 100 and got the Artist tweed tone. But now.....after watching this..... I made the right choice in my opinion. Haven’t stopped playing my Artist.
For me Katana it's what I like..
is there such a thing as a Tube amp with built in effects?
I've got a Fender Super Champ X2 and XD. They are combo amps with 3 tubes and 16 voices. Voice channels are combination tube & digital. I believe the clean channel is all 3 tubes. Someone may correct me. Takes pedals well. They sound great to me. Loud enough to gig with. 10” speaker. The X2 I upgraded speaker to a Legend 1058. Only on the used market but worth picking up one..or 2. 😅
For me, tube all the way.
The Katana sounds great. But the artist has a more open and organic roundness with less harshness. Still, the Katana is a wonderful and much more practical and flexible tool.
I had a strange observation during the initial "in the mix" demos. With the Strat on the clean Katana, I felt like it sounded sterile, but the Strat sounded very stratty, as you'd expect. With the Artist, my immediate impression was that the cleans were way better, but the "stratty" sound was gone. When you played the Strat isolated on both amps, it was clear why: the brighter Katana preserves the strat tone, where the Artist is darker, which kills the strat tone.
Budget RC interesting, I've noticed that with mine, it sounds really good with my strat and teles.
Katana sounded better with the clean and crunch, tuber sounded great with the lead, katana was good on the leads, tube just edged it out tho, overall, you really can't beat a katana
'Ice pick attack on the high end' - damn if that's not a perfect phrase. You nailed. And I agree - the clean tube is untouchable.
I have become a Boss Katana sucker given I own the Artist Mkl, Katana 50 Mkll, Katana Mini and the Katana Air. Tried the Waza head phones but sent them back due to the giro drift.. To balance it out I also picked up an Artist Tweed-tone V.. At some point I will learn to play the guitar to justify the investment.. 😂 On the video the Katana had the edge IMO.. 👍🇦🇺
Wow, the Katana was way better, the tube amp sounded numb and underwater.
As an aspiring electric guitarist I have to agree. The tube sounded very dull. I'm probably going to buy the katana 50 once I get my first gear..
It's almost as if the EL-84 amp could use some sort of....uh...a _top boost_ ... to the circuit to make up for some lost highs. Something new and revolutionary that's never been done before. Maybe and extra gain stage that could be added to the amp...or in some device that goes between the guitar and the amp that can sit on top of the amp...or in front of the amp...with an on-off switch. Maybe a switch that you could step on.
...Nah!...dumb idea. No one would ever want that...never mind.
Actually come to think of it I've seen some kids messing around with these little boxes that have switches and knobs and they plug into amps and...no...maybe I'm confused. What you said sounds like a good idea though!
@@tedruybalid2262 No...I take it back...terrible idea, really. That might just push the amp to distortion. Nobody wants an amp that distorts and takes away from the purest tone possible. It might also make the guitar louder than the clarinet and the accordion.
My AC10 agrees ;)
@@ravenslaves
OMG! You just may be right! Gotta have those licorice sticks front and center.
My neighbors once freaked out on my Katana 50 on 0.5 watts :)
Ivan you either need to play better, or stop playing at 3 in the morning, or most likely need some new neighbors..LOL. Keep playin mate. They will move.
IMO The Katana is the winner.. Both sounded similar during leads to me.. The Artist sounded muffled during the crunch chords.. Maybe just the way it comes out on TH-cam.. Thanks for the comparison...
When the bass line started I thought you were going to play “My Sharona”.
🤣Now you've written that I can't un-hear it on this track now 🤣
Loved the Tube Amp cleans and the Drives of the Katana.
Some people will disagree, but the stock Katana speakers just aren't that good. They are cheap speakers, which is partly why they can sell those amps so cheap. They're not bad, but they just don't compare to a higher end speaker. Don't believe me, swap out the stock speaker with your favorite Celestion or Eminence or whatever you like and see for yourself. I have a Katana MKI 100 2x12 that I replaced the speakers in with a Vintage 30 and a stock speaker from an HRD III, which is a Celestion G1280-P, and it sounds so much clearer and better throughout the entire tonal spectrum. It sounds like a true valve amp now. I run my Headrush pedalboard through it and it sounds amazing.
I see your juvenile delinquent drummer flaked on you. Wait, is he playing guitar? Something's fishy here. Oh, well. Great track.
The drummer sucks but he's getting his act together haha. Thanks Ervin!
When you mentioned the Katana was better if you live in an apartment, I was thinking a good guitarist tip is that if you are applying to rent a detached house, don't tell the landlord it's because you want to play your tube amp full volume :-)
I did have 50w tube amp in an apartment but it had a good master volume knob so it was ok
Hey my Aussie brother (I just lived there for a year) have you checked out the great guitar 🎸 build off? You should AT LEAST push yourself into being a commentator. Mostly I think you’d do a cool very laid back trash talk. And they do desperately need more of that.
I have a boss katana 50 MkII, super versatile this amp, im country rock player, and this amp can do everithing you want, i can play from classic traditional country, passing to Country Rock, to Classic rock or Heavy Rock music, it can do everything.
IMHO...the Katana is a great piece of electronic gear...but the Artist tube amp is a musical INSTRUMENT...esp on cleans
To my ear, the valve amp sounded better. That tube compression just makes it sound so creamy. I have a Line 6 Catalyst and I think it sounds closer to that Artist amp and it sounds great. I chose it over the Katana. I agree with you about the mids. However, I thought think the valve amp lacked a little clarity, in my opinion. Conversely, I would probably roll off the treble a little. The Catalyst gives the best of both worlds, from a tone perspective, but falls down in the effects area. But I have a decent pedal board, so that isn't an issue for me. Thanks for the video and bias confirmation. 😉😂
I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and my ac30 is no problem at all, well at least not to me :D... I should explain. I wouldn't usually not care too much about disturbing people, but I have a downstairs neighbour blasting music whenever they want, even at 4am, so not a problem, started working nights. then in my apartment, (high rise) the council decided to redo the lifts for 7 months. my night job didn't last much after they started. so now also started playing basketball in the apartment and jamming that vox when I feel like it, so long as its not after 11pm.
If you ever decide to buy one of these Boss Katana KTN-100 amps I very highly recommend also buying the optional Boss GA-FC Foot Controller, it makes things much more convenient with regards to switching channels on the amp, I have a GA-FC and it works great.
Where can I find a video on that all white strat with the perfectly matching white pick guard? I love how the pick guard almost looks invisible.
That's his American Original 50s Strat. He did a video on it not all that long ago. Just check his uploads and it shouldn't be all that far back. Great guitar. 👍
@@JunkfoodZombieGuns Awesome thanks!
@@mrfender5001 No problem, sir.
I´m debating between Boss katana Mk2 50W vs Harley benton 15w tube amp (Or the 5 w cause you know money) i need something for band (we arent big band, and we dont play big gigs ), I want to use pedalboard with it. What would oyu guys recomend? Is it worth it to buy tube amp more than the katana if so will 5 w be enough or do I buy the 15 w? Oh yes and i forget as a band we play pop, rock and all the genres along these lines.
I bought a Katana for my guitar school and I think it doesn't sound very good. Just an average unexpensive amp. I prefer the ht5r from blackstar but it's twice the price.
Over all I prefer the Katana. And it cost 200$. The tube amp sounded so dark.
Nice playing my friend 👍👍.. but how did you manage the drums and guitar simultaneously 🤔😁 im kidding lol.. good jam and playing though keep on keeping on 👍👍
I have a katana and I also have owned tube amps, they're both great for different things. Quite honestly I like the tone of the tube amp isolated, but I honestly felt a lot of the tube qualities disappeared once it was in the mix and it sounded a bit mushy compared to the katana. If I would have heard these tracks without knowing, I would have guessed the katana was the tube amp. it's great to have a great sounding amp out of the box but how many of us honestly play straight into a amp without no EQ, effects or anything else for that matter... this is where the katana shines, the fact so versatile. I've had great tube amps that should have gave me the wow factor but they just didn't... my boss Katana produces tones I could never really get out of my tube amps.
TL:DR for the comments: “The katana sounds great/bad and the artist sounds bad/great!” “I don’t think the katana was dialed in right/the tube amp was too muddy/the katana is unsalvageable because it’s not tubes.” “I love my katana/I love my tube amp!”
Fun video! For my ears, the tube amp wins easily on the cleans, but the Katana wins on higher gain settings.
There were times when the Katana sounded better, but one place it absolutely did not was clean. I have a Katana because it's quiet, but the cleans weren't so good. I fixed that with a compressor and the venerable Joyo American Sound. Really livened it up and made it feel better. I think the Katana is a pretty good pedal platform. When I first got it I used to mess around with the tone studio, but I haven't opened that in months and months. I have a bunch of other amps but for playing and home without annoying the people who live with me, I play through the Boss. If nobody else is home I play through a Super Reverb or an AC30 without giving the Boss a second thought. If I lived in an apartment I may not own any tube amps at all.
My amateur opinion of what sounded better is:
Clean: Tube Amp
Crunch: Katana
Lead: Tube Amp
I would feel great playing either one.
I'm a 54 yr old Aussie that grew up with a jcm 800 half stack and a couple of Boss pedals for my first rig back in the 80s. I just cannot feel right without valves. I've tried some of these modelling things, I even played around with a mate's Kemper but for me, it will always need to be the real thing - valves/tubes. Maybe I'm just too old and my ears are just geared to what they grew up listening to and playing with.