I own the 100/212. The bigger sound and features did it for me. An FX loop was a box that needed to be checked so the 50 was out. The fact that you can plug any head into it and use the 2x12s as a powered cabinet was also a benefit. The price difference between the 100 and 100/212 was just 100$. For the extra speaker it was worth it for me
Are the speakers just 2 run as mono or are they phased with a stereo sound. I had a peavey stereo chorus that made the sound seem like it was coming from every direction. Would love that in this amp
I went with the Katana Chihuahua, light in weight and barks out intermittent chords I didn't intentionally strum. It has no auxiliary plugs or solo settings as such, but it will keep other dogs out of the yard and keep the house next door - ON THE MARKET FOR MONTHS. At 3lbs, I can carry this little AMP anywhere and get the respect I deserve.
I have the 50. I love it for it's size, fits in the living room, plenty of effects and affordable. I play at home only. This is a great comparison. Now I wish I bought the Artist, damn you!
I purchased the MK2 100W and I LOVE IT! I even traded a Fender Pro Jr. Tube amp that was about $600 at the time. I walked away with the Boss Katana, feeling stupid that I literally just got a cheaper amp, BUT it was HIGHLY recommended and as soon as I plugged it in at home I was HOOKED! I have owned about 6 amps in my lifetime, including some tubs like the Marshall JCM head and I’ve also owned some modeling amps like an old Line 6 and I did not like the sound of the digital amps. They all seemed too digital for the versatile sound I wanted, cleans just didn’t seem organic and wasn’t happy with the effects, however digital seems to really shine with heavy distortion. I loved the heavy metal settings on my digitals, worked great with EMGs. Since then, I went with Tubes, but they were always so expensive, heavy and sometimes I felt like they lacked the grit for metal playing. Finally, I saw a review and someone highly recommended the Katana, decided to do some research and I guess I must have been living under a rock for years because it turns out it was a highly sought after amp. Anyway, I needed a good versatile amp to replace my rig and my many pedals, since I lacked the space from moving. I jammed with a buddy and he was shocked by how well it sounded. He plays on a line 6 AND Fender Mustang and the Katana just sounded soo buttery with the cleans and reverb. I’ve fiddled with the effects and so far they seem ok, however have yet to try their online presents/effects. So I’m excited to experiment, I even uploaded a sample of my playing online and all my friends seemed to loved the playing. I’m an official fan and can’t wait to check try my Fender Pro2 strat, sounds great on my Fender Tele Player. I learned a valuable lesson, you don’t need money to get the tone you want, just experiment a little and find what YOU as a player enjoy. Thanks for posting this video, helped a lot. 😁🎸
Dude! I’d been binging Katana videos for days!!! Then I went down the Katana vs Catalyst rabbit hole for days!!! Then I was back at wanting a Katana but I really didn’t know the differences and was about to head to my local Guitar Center to grab the 50 with the thought of also picking up the big foot switch and eventually a Line 6 Helix! Man am I glad I found your video! Best Katana video on RUclips! Thank you a Thousand times! I’ll be buying the Artist! Rock on Dude!
i've only ever watched 2 of your videos buy i must say you make excellent videos. detailed but not tiring or overly complex. the rythm is great. keep it going it's pure joy!
A few years ago, I was looking at simplifying my set up. I was carting an electric guitar amp, acoustic guitar amp, pedal board, guitars, stands, etc. I went with Quilter MP200 with the 12" ext cab, and used ch1 for acoustic and ch2 for electric. good power, light weight and very clean. Worked great, big full sound and a small footprint, and convinced me that Solid State could be an option after all...but I still had to deal with effects pedal board. Then one day, I was in a music store, I happened upon a Katana 50...played thru it...but even though it was a cool little amp, I knew it wouldn't do what I needed. Then I ran into a Katana 100, and although a bit better, still not quite "there", for me. Then, I started reading reviews of this new, upcoming, Artist 100 MkII, and was intrigued. So I ordered one...and waited while it was on back-order! But when it finally arrived, I was blown away! Seriously, it has been everything I have ever wanted in an amp! Front controls were a must, loaded with great, state-of-the-art effects, great sounding amp choices...plus a dedicated amp setting for acoustic, online programmability, lots of presets and variations...the Waza speaker (!) and a great price! And, by the way, the optional GA-FC foot controller is a MUST have for live performances, not too expensive...and makes using the amps presets and effects a breeze! Now its just two guitars and my amp. Perfect setup! Great sound! Great Boss effects...deep, rich sounds in a rather compact and not-too-expensive package!
I have the 212 and it is by far the most versatile and full sounding amp i have ever owned and I've owned a hell of a lot of amps. I really love the fullness of the two twelve, never been a fan of single twelve combos.
Yes I know what you mean, the 1x12 is very directional, if you're standing off axis to the cab you can't here the trebles, I always use an amp stand that kicks the amp back and towards my ears, its become compulsory for a good tone, have you tried the katana librarian app yet??
How far off is it from the obligatory 700-1000$ tube amps that my musician buddies all seem to use with about 1000$ in pedals? I wonder about investing that cash into something that’s ultimate limited as a gigging amp etc. Sure seems interesting tho
The Artist MKII sounds truly amazing when using the "neighbor friendly" half-watt setting, but turn the master all the way up, and adjust the volume from the amplifier section for best results.
I bought my mkII 50 a bit more than year ago and I wish I had got the 100 one. Really needing that FX Loop now. Great stuff you do here, I wish I had this advice before getting one.
I bought the 50w was so impressed I then bought the 100w 2x12 for the extra features, I liked having 8 presets and wanted some extra low down bass. Then sold the 50w as it wasn’t needed any more. Am very happy with the 100w 2x12 but if I went back in time I would buy the artist . Great video pity(for me) you didn’t make it a year ago as it explained the differences perfectly . Katanas are all superb
Literally had option paralysis at a guitar center today (had a gift card and birthday money to burn). This is the perfect video for my situation, thanks!
@@robbulai6654 Katana 100 mkii. I got the Katana 100 head when it came out, have a GAFC and exp pedal already also. Real dealbreaker was the effects loop for me. The GAFC and Exp pedal compatibility was a nice bonus also.
Thanks Andy. I purchased the 50 watt option as I play at home and have no desire to play live in any club setting. It works for me. I'm just a hobbyist at best. Have a great weekend. Peace!
The answer to answer all questions. If I was to buy a katana it would be a 212 and it's mainly because I used the Roland ga212 as a stage monitor and the 212 blew the doors off and had wheels... Worth checking if the katana 212 comes with wheels. Another note the 50 is amazing for acoustic guitar ✌️ but if I couldn't get 212 I'd definitely use an artist, I tested it out on stage, as well as the 212 Roland and a katana 50 and even the 50 scared a few vocalists, but too me lacked bottom end. They can all be slightly sharp amps but if angled slightly to the side they are creamy and lovely. That's my summary from my experience but today.... I'd prob go for an artist with a live band and a 50 for 1 man band work.
Propably, but tube amps are not all of them better, and the critical part is what about effects and controls? Only small tube amps has the same price with artists like fender in 15 watts only single Chanel. There are Bugeras in good prise, more watts than fender but sound like for some people, you love it or hate it. Difficult desizion. No effects and expensive to change valves for tube technology...
I have the 100, 212. It is heavy. I found playing both 100's side by side the 212 had that extra of the artist. The Artist had ,for me, too many knobs for gigging. The Foot pedal is a must for all 100's, with it the panel is easy to operate. The acoustic channel, the boss tone studio, boss/roland quality all add up, Which ever the choice you can not go wrong
@@TheGuitarGeek yea warmer and a bit fuller. The foot pedal is a must! .prices were a big factor. I'm 57 and the 50lb amp isn't all that heavy. As easy as it is to operate, for me there was still a large "learning curve". Worth every minute.
I have just recently started playing guitar, like 4-6 ish months, and I also bought the 212 a little over a week ago. This is the only amp I have had aside from my fender 15 that Ive had for a long time, but I never really seriously played with it. My former bandmate and I have talked about amps a lot and he was always about the Tube amps, be he also wanted cheap, so he ended up getting a bugera v22 infinium and loved it for a few months. but it quickly turned into an eh and no longer wanted it, however I did love the amps tone but did agree it wasnt really loud enough, so he ended up getting another amp that was a solid state and fell in love with it, this amp was a little heavier but smaller so it was easier to carry. It sounded Fantastic. few months go by and here we are, I now have my own amp, after hearing him play on all different amps at Guitar center and his own amps I had thought I knew what I wanted and was ready to pull the trigger. 3 weeks ago I was at guitar center again and was looking around and spotted one out of the box and I just LOVE the way they(all katanas) look, the main thing was the simple look, how the nobs are on the back, it's so aesthetically pleasing to me. when I got it home and started playing around with it I love the tone and all the sounds I can get out of it. I really wanted the 212 just because it had 2 speakers and was less expensive than the artist, lmao. I play a Squier Jazzmaster and this amp is the best sound I have gotten from my own playing. I do feel like it has more fulfilling lows, compared to its 112 base counterpart, and can rock my house even on the 50W setting. The weight is not a big deal at all, I regularly move 50 pounds and I don't really see why anyone would have an issue with doing this, aside from smaller people that can't efficiently. Ive thought in the past few days maybe I should have gotten the Artist for the little bit more money, but when thinking about all of it and considering it all I dont think I would change my decision between the 4 options. Sorry for the rant, I don't really comment often, but I didn't know how many people would have commented about there buying experience with this amp. The acoustic channel is by far my favorite channel, just add a little bit of boost and a bit of reverb. amazing. Edit: Why the fuck do these have this type of usb, just use usb c ffs. tis all.
Brilliant!! Really well explained Andy. I still have my MK1 100 (4 years now) but when it comes time to change it will be the Artist MK2 for me. As a home player I can heartily recommend the 100. It just sounds better at low volume than the 50. 😀👍
Hi , keep your 100 Tom and buy the Artist as well for amazing stereo... and the benefit of yer guests having a great amp too. Just got both amps and a pair of GA-FC's . Last stop for me buying amps as the upgrading online keeps ya updated. Great channel !!
I bought the artist mk2 and fell in love immediately.This amp sounds amazing, has great usable effects, tons of EQ options and versatility. Best money I ever spent!
This video is very helpful. Thank you for putting this together. You speak with clarity, address many questions (that I didn't consider beforehand) and have a great sense of humor and passion.
I've had the MKI 100w for a few years now and its been a fantastic amp for live gigs and recording. Recently bought an Artist MKII, and am keeping the MKI for stereo. The Artist has a much better speaker, and you immediately notice the difference. I like the fact you can add a midi controller like the Behringer FCB 1010 and use it with the gafc for an awesome live setup. I put the gafc into effects mode to switch fx on and off, and the midi controller to switch patches, solo boost and pedal fx on and off plus its two expression pedals. Saves doing a tap dance with the gafc when playing live !
Ordered my 100/ 2x12 today . More cab, more resonance. More speaker, more air pushed and more perceived headroom. It’s physical, and it has all the goodies. Living room to studio to stage, you have it all. And most of us have hauled around Fenders and Marshall’s for decades and 48 pounds is a cake walk.
I owned the Artist and 100, 212. The 212 sounds much better/bigger especially in a gig setting. I also own a 100 1x12 for home use and bring it to gigs as a back up.
Great summation of these amps! I own the Artist and a guitarist in one of the bands I work with owns the 50. I agree with you the sounds are insanely awesome from these amps. The Artist with the Waza Craft speaker can most def play in the big league! But sound wise (and especially the effects) they're both pretty awesome amps.
Great Video! I bought a 2x12 100w a few years ago before the artist came out. To me it was the best one by far. Much deeper and warmer tone. Plus I think when gigging more speakers the better so it was the best choice. I would of had an artist but I don't like gigging with 1 speaker. More speakers more air moving!
My back votes for the Katana 50.I only use a Fender Full Moon Distortion so I don't need the other effects, except for a little bit of reverb.I have a Fender Hot Rod and over the years it becomes too heavy for my back.We all get older.Very good and informative Video. Thank you.🤓👍🏻
The solution to the 212 or 2x12 combo is the Katana 100w Head. It replaces the idea of having that bigger sound with also having the ability to run all sorts of different cabinets and speaker types, speaker quality and speaker quantity. It has all the bells and whistles too.
This is probably the best Boss Katana buying video without listening to useless minutes of sound sampling that means nothing to people listening on their phones, tablets, or computers. Is it their (other video's) mixing, line outs, or my headphones that I'm hearing? From a practical standpoint in this RUclips world, the features are what's going to set them apart. You've effectively delineated the differences and basically brought it down to "Yes, I like the sound of this amp that I've only heard through online videos" or "No, I should return this and try amp B". Thank you!
I needed an amp that was light and portable for band practice which is in my friend's basement studio. I chose the Katana 50 MKII for that reason. It is light and easy to carry down a flight of stairs. The 4 presets work fine for what I am doing so that was not an issue. Also keep in mind that with the V2 software update all of the features that are on the front panel of the Artist are available via the software on the 50. You can set the tone contour, cabinet mode, and Solo and save it in the presets.With the software you can set not only a huge variety of pedals and effects, but you can also select your signal chain. That means that you can have effects be either after or before the preamp. Effectivly a built in effects loop. If I were looking at gigging with the Katana I would probably go with either to 100 or the Artist. However I have my Marshall DSL40C that I use when I gig. I use the Katana to get my Marshall sounds for practice.
So the 50 is loud enough to play with a bad? I was wondering if I should exchange the 50 watt, while I can, to the 100 watt but I love the size and weight and sound of the 50 watt, thx
@@scourneene I found the 50 watt Katana was more than capable of keeping up with the band. We had a drummer, bass (who likes it loud), another guitar and keyboard. The keyboard was amped into a leslie cab. For a club gig the Katana would be more than capable. I like it because it is very versatile and easy to carry. I only need to make one trip from my car to the gig/practice. I have my guitar in one hand and the Katana in another.
@DeWittPotts sweet, thanks for replying, I really don't want the 100 watt but thought if the volume wasn't there in a jam session I'd be bummed. But just like your saying, the size and lightweight of the 50 watt is a win and loud enough apparently. Stoked, thanks!
I started with the 100/212. It's ok. I now have the Artist (well two actually). The speaker is much better than the two speakers in the 100/212. The cabinet is much more solid than the 100/212. The speaker out jacks are a great feature. I can use that to drive one or two of the magnificent Boss WAZA-212 cabinets.
This is a fantastic video. I impulse ordered a Katana 100 for home use only and woke up in a sweat after having nightmares of blowing the walls down with noise. I wanted the features and options but not necessarily the LOUDNESS. I'm relatively new and just playing in bedroom. The 130$ difference between 50 and 100 was not an issue. Appreciate you breaking this down plain and simple. I'll be living on the .5 setting!
I have the 100 and love it. It took a while to learn how to set-up & program the sounds I like into the 8 channels. But once you get that done, it is really super easy to use. The GA-FC is a must, and while pricey, it unlocks the full potential of the amp. My POD HD500 is now gathering dust!
For $13 you can use the app and have the functionality of the gafc plus access all effect parameters. I do agree however that the foot switch is essential if gigging with the Katana
I just bought a boss katana mk2 50 a few days ago and I love that thing. I haven't even hooked up a laptop to it yet because I don't have a laptop but it is a great amp. I will probably buy the boss katana artist next.
Thank you for making this video. Straight and to the point. You really covered everything anyone would need to know. I've watched so many videos on these amps and you still taught me that the MkII 100 watt is the move.
I bought a 100/212... mostly because im playing with really loud drummers and i just think that 2x12 will give you a fatter, fuller, slightly louder sound.. better for gigs than 100 1x12
Great video Andy and much appreciated. My only disappointment was that you counted out the MkII 2 x12 without hearing it. I appreciate your openmindedness to ask for the opinions of people who own them. Safe to say the large majority of them would pick the MKII 2 x 12 over the Artist MKII 1x12 due to the bigger, deeper, and louder quality of sound. The weight cannot come into play because you are at 41lbs for the Artist already so 2 more lbs makes no difference. I have a small handtruck which has been a back saver for longer walk loadins. I don't use midi and the few extra features do not justify the Artist over the 2 x 12 IMHO. The front panel as you said is preferred but again, with the footswitch, I never need to look at the panel on stage but maybe once or twice as I have everything pre-set. The MKII 2 x 12 is an amp you should hear. Thank you for the video! Will check out more.
Same here, I bought the 50 (mk1) a few years back because I was really strapped for cash. Sold it and got a 100 mk2 a while later, mainly because of the effects loop. While I like the option of having all the built in effects, I still prefer a physical board with individual pedals. I was also considering a Blackstar ht20 but went with the Katana because I couldn't justify spending that much more on a valve amp with fewer features, when I already knew I like the Katana sound-wise.
Yet another great demo...thanks! I bought the first edition Kat 50 when it first came out and it did ok with band rehearsals, but found that it could not keep up volume-wise when playing with another guitarist using a small tube amp (of all things a Mesa Subway Rocket). So last year I bought the Kat 100MkII, figuring that would give me the extra volume I'd need in case I went to another jam or had it for a gig. My next purchase will be another 100MkII 1x12 combo (or perhaps even an Artist) so I could take full advantage of the 'stereo' feature of the Katana line. In the last 40+ years I have played through just about every brand of amp you could imagine, Tube or SS, but the Katana has everything I'd need without the weight & bulk of the old school amps I used in the early 80's. I feel having 3 of these beasts will finally complete the picture...lol.
I was set on getting Fender Mustang but you changed my mind with Katana 50 mk2. But after going back and forth you convicted me to go w Katana 100 mk2. Though the Mustang has more presets and way better app. At the end of the day it’s all about the sound. You earned my sub to your channel. Aloha 😊
I have the 212 cabinet with a 100 head and tbh it really changed for me. I don't know what this had over the standard 100, but to me it just felt better, persay. The bigger tone and the fact that I could use the head on diffrent amps is what really sold it for me.
I watch this video often just because I have both the 100 mk1 and the Artist mk2 and can't decide which one to keep... Every time you make me smile with "aaaah the Artist ! The price, the speaker, the front panel" - Ciao da Verona, Italia
Used market for first generation Katanas is pretty good. If you want to save some bucks , you can buy a Katana mk1 series. Then if you use thirparty software like fxfloorboard, you can unlock "katana mk2" features in firmware. You can make custom sounds and build custom signal change and save them in your katanas channel. You can example use invidual effects like in katana mk2. Ofc you cant/edit those onboard katana with the knobs because katana mk1 lacks the those knobs what mk2 have.
Where was this when I bought my original Katana 50(jk😉). I do have the first generation of the 50, and love it, but definitely wish I had the extra features like the line out and effects loop. Great informative video Andy.
I'm leaning towards the 100 212 only for it being 212. I wish the Nextone had a 212 offering and the Blues Cube 212 is pretty expensive. As far as the weight goes, I wouldn't have an issue with it since I carry 45lb plates in each hand at the gym for one of my exercises. I also want that bigger sound. After trying out the 50 and loving it, I definitely want something more.
I’ve been watching videos (especially the ones on this channel) on katanas for a while now and I finally said fuck it and just ordered a MKII Artist. Cheers my boy and thank you the the super informative videos that helped solidify my decision!
I got the 50 because of size. It's perfect for at home playing. Sometimes if I'm not feeling the built-in sounds or want to play with a looper, I plug a pedalboard into the power amp and it works great. I believe you when you say that the speaker is "raspy", though I've no clue what you mean by that 😁 Without having compared it to the 100, it sounds great to my ears compared to other small combos I've owned (both ss and tube). Great video. Probably the most informative one on the subject. Will be useful to many. Cheers!
After owning a 50 MKI, a 100 MKI, and an Artist MKI, i ended up sticking with a 100 MKII. Great for giging, and home playing. Great for dirt pedals. Much lighter than the Artist. And, contrary to Andy, I do like the top panel, as the amp mostly leans on the floor. Easy to tweak the four tones that I mostly use, and completing it with a few pedals.
Yeah I don’t understand why front panel controls are so highly praised. If the amp isn’t at eye level, you have bend down to see it. I use a Roland cube and I can just look down and see what is going on. Just have to lean over a little bit to make changes.
Thinking of buying the 100/212 MkII for a Fender Rhodes which is shining in the living room. Transportability is therefore no issue. I used a variety of amps but was never happy. I had a Fender Stereo Chorus transistor amp (not warm enough), Fender Twin Reverb (does sound horrible on low volume), Fender Princeton '67 reissue (not enough lows and a horrible reverb) and a nobody knows tube amp which was ok-ish but died the other day not very long after I invested in a 200 euro repair. Re-thinking what I want and came up with the following must have list: - Warm tube sound on home level (no neighbours though so occasionally ). - Effects like reverb, phaser, tremolo, rotary speaker, compressor. - Looper possibility. - Good sound also with headphones. - Clean looks (knobs on the back top is a plus in this case). To me it looks like the Katana 100/212 ticks all the boxes except that I don't know how it sounds with a Fender Rhodes. Question: Anyone tried a Fender Rhodes on the 100/212 and if not would you think the Katana 100/212 should be fine for this purpose ?
The footswithch and the line out are almost a no brainer benefit. Oh, and the tone difference is obvious. Great review. I wish I would have watched this, because now I’m in return mode!
I considered the Artist but in the end I went for the 100 and used some of the left over money to upgrade the speaker to a Celestion Vintage 30. Probably the only amp any one will ever need IMO
@@jayfrench7476 very different! However I changed the V30 out for a Neo Creamback instead. The V30 works well in a 4x12 because of the extra low end that comes with using a 4x12. However in the combo it was too bright IMO so I got a good deal on a Neo Creamback and that sounds fantastic.
@@jarrusjenkins I was thinking of swapping for either the waza speaker or an eminence Texas heat to give me a fuller sound, also considered the creamback.
Thank you, this review was definitely on point as I have the 100 katana Mark II exactly for the reasons you said but now I'm contemplating maybe upgrading the internal speaker to a was a craft after watching this, nothing definite yet but just an idea. Thank you for the review and I will continue to watch.
Reason I went with the head version is that I have a 4-12 cabinet and there’s a decent built in speaker in the head if I don’t want to work with my cabinet. The Artist was a huge temptation. I’m disappointed with the noise, but the smart noise suppression applied via software is a godsend. If you want to work by amp panel only, good luck. Great info otherwise. Thank you, Andy.
I first had the 50. Then went to the Artist. Then sold that and got the head and 2X12 cabinet. Big mistake. The head and 2x12 was too much to move around and to get a good sound, it felt like I had to really crank it to get a good tone. I should have kept the artist. Now I have the 100. The Artist was the best. The front panel and the Waza speaker are where it's at. My opinion, If you have the means. Artist all the way. If not, the 100. Great video!
Get the Katana Two Twelve (that's how you actually say it) Then Upgrade those speakers as soon as you can afford it - I replaced mine with 200 watt Eminence Legends and couldn't be more pleased with the Result!! Talk About Headroom!!
I have mk1 100/212 . I was lucky to get a B stock from thomann for the same price as a normal 100w. And Indeed it pretty heavy atleast takes less space than my 4x12 and 100w Head and easier to transport that with car. But yes its heavy enough not to want to move it all the time. But it does sound fuller and I get a poweramp and "2x12" cab with one amp so I like this.
I tried the 100 and 212 against similar Blackstar combo's. But I wasn't looking for a guitar amp, as I've already got a Fender valve amp. I wanted it as a electric violin amp. Because of the acoustic amp model, this is hands down the absolute best amp I've ever played though. The 212 has way more resonance and can take a load of pedals, I use some in the front and also make use of the e loop. Probably not many fiddle players choosing big amps like this, but once rehearsals and gigs get underway soon I'm going to be telling everybody about this amp! The price of these is crazy good for what u get!
Some people may not know this because these amps are usually played on chug chug mode with 0 2 tab but hear me out : the way the Katana plays jazzy tones has blown my mind. Use Acoustic channel with cranked gain and be amazed. Volume and Master is up to you.
I just purchased an Artist. I was sold on a 100, but the front facing panel is what pushed me to the Artist. Never underestimate the appeal of ease of use.
Great content, I was looking to get back into playing at home, this time my youngest daughter wanting to try guitar for the first time. I needed something with a large-ish speaker for tone (not one of those junk 10w generic crapboxes) but without needing to be cranked to get a decent sound from it. Funnily enough I went in reverse order.... I saw the 212 and was drooling, decided it was too much for what I needed, then the 100, again this was purely a home practice/learning amp. Was worried the 50 would be a poor relation but thanks to your vid I could assess exactly what was needed. Il be ordering a 50 on payday (along with my daughters first guitar). Great content, great advice - thanks so much!
I've had a 100 and now the Artist, it is SO good to me. Very versatile and full of *useful* high tech stuff. If you have the room for this boi, and some money in your pockets, this is definitely one of the best combos out there fo sho. Definitely worth its price, and the upgrade was worth it too! Edit: you remind me of some other youtuber specialized in camera gear named Jared Polin lol. It's all about the afro.
I own a Katana 50 and a Katana mini. Honestly if you ONLY play at home and alone, the mini is perfect. It has the tones a bedroom musician would be looking for(not so much for recording) when trying to get a good practice session in- whatever genre he may be playing.
Thanks for this, I’ve got the 50 on it’s way this morning. I only play at home so I don’t think I’ll need additional features and won’t be gigging with it.
I have the 212, mainly because I like 212s, however I want to get the Artist because of the front panel, the Waza speaker, etc. I wish there was an Artist with 212.
@@vyvynylificationI’m trying to decide between the artist and the 2x12. I want the one that sounds fuller and bigger. Some say the 2x12 and others say the artist because of the speaker and cab. Do you think the 2x12 sounds bigger and better?
I've had the katana 50 mk1, katan 100 212 mk1, and now the katana artist mk2. That waza craft speaker truly makes a big difference. The sound is just more real. Now when I have that amp which sounds amazing I don't feel bad buying expensive guitars anymore becuase my guitars are way better than my amp. If you find a good deal used which I did, I think it's a no brainer
Brilliant well-presented video. Just got the artist was considering sending it back for the 50. Have to say I think my Blues Junior is much nicer on cleans. The katana sounds like a kemper profile in comparison like I'm hearing a recorded guitar track. You can hear the strings on the Fender and it sounds to me like there's more headroom. Katana's great for lead and overdrive with fx plus for recording. I can't stop playing it. Maybe I need to get used to it can't gig with 2 amps though...one for clean and one for overdrive, hence was considering 50 for home use but then I lose the waza speaker. Decisions decisions! 😊
Entertaining and informative as always! I would totally go for the 100 if only the panel was on the front. I'm so puzzled why that position is seen as a premium feature. Marshall, Fender, Mesa/Boogie. Even the old Peavey and Crate amps I grew up with, that's where the controls are, and I never wished them to be anywhere else. I think the ideal is an angled front panel as on some Boogie and Fender amps. I'm 30+ year player and lifelong guitar guy, but I'm just not a good enough or serious enough player to throw that much money at an amp. Please, BOSS, could it really be that expensive to put the controls on the front of all of these?
Sorry mate but I wouldn't want them in the front. The 50 and the 100 are an entry level /midrange amp where people just put it on the floor and scratch their heads at all those knobs.(had to mute the group notifications) The artist is a different beast and is worth its name and the proper knob placement. Boss are smart marketers.
They wanted the clean aesthetics of how the front looks without all the controls. Regardless if anyone thinks that it was a good or bad idea,...I guarantee you that is what the reasoning was.
Got the original 100 combo when it came out and loved it. Played it live and at home. Recently upgraded to the Artist Mk II mainly to get the new features and had enough money for the Artist. Oh yeah I also use the GAFC and have done since I got the original amp. Keep up the good work. I do like your vids
I've "played" for about 16 years. By that, I bought a Schecter and Spider Line-6, and a few peddles in about 2007. Never did more than just noodle around by myself with what I had.Lost those a few years later. Bought a couple of cheap guitars sometime around 2012 and came upon a cheap Crate 30w amp, and did the same thing on and off. My wife bought me a nice Ibanez a couple Xmas's ago - but still had the Crate amp, which sounds like absolute crap. The Katana has been something I've wanted for about a year now, and finally bought the 50w recently. For sure I'd love the Artist, but the 50w amp is better than anything I've ever owned and has motivated me to take some music theory classes finally, and have been practicing daily since I've gotten it. If anyone has any interest in the Katana series, and is an inexperienced player - feel confident in the 50w. It sounds absolutely amazing (to me), and the ability to hook up to the Boss Studio for new presets is an awesome bonus. Maybe one day I'll work up to an Artist series. But for now, I'm in love with my 50w
I just bought my 212. Reason because when I tested the MKII 100 one speaker with the two speakers side by side, it was obvious that the two speakers amp sound better to my ears.
I also have the 100 /212 it's very warm sounding and it's great at 1/2 watt for my bedroom it is a bit heavy when traveling around, was able to hook it up with another 212 for the stereo expansion and wow its amazing made the house shake . The GAFC is a must to unlocking the beast inside this combo ..
Acá desde México, tengo el 100/212 y créanme que estoy satisfecho, realmente el sonido es muy definido y creo al menos a mis necesidades, la potencia y el buen sonido que tiene están perfectos ❤️
I have a red Peavey Bandit and an Artist Mk11. Both are great amps but the Artist has definitely moved the goal posts forward and is much more flexible with power settings in particular starting from 0.5 watt.
Sold my katana 100w mk 2 last month, to much fanning about with tone studio and od channels sound horrible and fizzy when driven. The clean channel was epic, the crunch was good. Now the proud owner of a Voc AC15, amazing!!
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
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A link to less hair is so 2018. Lookin' good with more big hair Andy. Boss!
Looking at Thomas just now it’s a bit bonkers. The 100 pack with the foot switch is £425 but the 50 is MORE expensive at £444??? Madness
How do you get the noise out of the boss d 100 this is the noise amp I ever had
I’d definitely recommend the Katana one!
What? Never heard of it
I prefer the .5 :)
It's a 1 inch speaker with 1 watt and 1 knob
Thank u sir
God bless you bro. Saved me a lot of time from watching this vid
This is an insanely informative, relatable, valuable and well put together video
Thank you!
I own the 100/212. The bigger sound and features did it for me. An FX loop was a box that needed to be checked so the 50 was out. The fact that you can plug any head into it and use the 2x12s as a powered cabinet was also a benefit. The price difference between the 100 and 100/212 was just 100$. For the extra speaker it was worth it for me
Wait, you can plug a head into it!?!?
@@9hk38f yes
Are the speakers just 2 run as mono or are they phased with a stereo sound. I had a peavey stereo chorus that made the sound seem like it was coming from every direction. Would love that in this amp
@@9hk38f do you refer to headphones?
What is so important about an effects loop?
I went with the Katana Chihuahua, light in weight and barks out intermittent chords I didn't intentionally strum. It has no auxiliary plugs or solo settings as such, but it will keep other dogs out of the yard and keep the house next door - ON THE MARKET FOR MONTHS. At 3lbs, I can carry this little AMP anywhere and get the respect I deserve.
I have the 50. I love it for it's size, fits in the living room, plenty of effects and affordable. I play at home only. This is a great comparison. Now I wish I bought the Artist, damn you!
The 50 is superb for a Living room amp
I purchased the MK2 100W and I LOVE IT! I even traded a Fender Pro Jr. Tube amp that was about $600 at the time. I walked away with the Boss Katana, feeling stupid that I literally just got a cheaper amp, BUT it was HIGHLY recommended and as soon as I plugged it in at home I was HOOKED! I have owned about 6 amps in my lifetime, including some tubs like the Marshall JCM head and I’ve also owned some modeling amps like an old Line 6 and I did not like the sound of the digital amps. They all seemed too digital for the versatile sound I wanted, cleans just didn’t seem organic and wasn’t happy with the effects, however digital seems to really shine with heavy distortion. I loved the heavy metal settings on my digitals, worked great with EMGs. Since then, I went with Tubes, but they were always so expensive, heavy and sometimes I felt like they lacked the grit for metal playing. Finally, I saw a review and someone highly recommended the Katana, decided to do some research and I guess I must have been living under a rock for years because it turns out it was a highly sought after amp. Anyway, I needed a good versatile amp to replace my rig and my many pedals, since I lacked the space from moving. I jammed with a buddy and he was shocked by how well it sounded. He plays on a line 6 AND Fender Mustang and the Katana just sounded soo buttery with the cleans and reverb. I’ve fiddled with the effects and so far they seem ok, however have yet to try their online presents/effects. So I’m excited to experiment, I even uploaded a sample of my playing online and all my friends seemed to loved the playing. I’m an official fan and can’t wait to check try my Fender Pro2 strat, sounds great on my Fender Tele Player. I learned a valuable lesson, you don’t need money to get the tone you want, just experiment a little and find what YOU as a player enjoy. Thanks for posting this video, helped a lot. 😁🎸
Dude! I’d been binging Katana videos for days!!! Then I went down the Katana vs Catalyst rabbit hole for days!!! Then I was back at wanting a Katana but I really didn’t know the differences and was about to head to my local Guitar Center to grab the 50 with the thought of also picking up the big foot switch and eventually a Line 6 Helix! Man am I glad I found your video! Best Katana video on RUclips! Thank you a Thousand times! I’ll be buying the Artist! Rock on Dude!
Did you end up buying the artist? If so - how are you liking it? I’m considering upgrading my 100 MK1 to it
i've only ever watched 2 of your videos buy i must say you make excellent videos. detailed but not tiring or overly complex. the rythm is great. keep it going it's pure joy!
True. An underrated gem of a channel
A few years ago, I was looking at simplifying my set up. I was carting an electric guitar amp, acoustic guitar amp, pedal board, guitars, stands, etc. I went with Quilter MP200 with the 12" ext cab, and used ch1 for acoustic and ch2 for electric. good power, light weight and very clean. Worked great, big full sound and a small footprint, and convinced me that Solid State could be an option after all...but I still had to deal with effects pedal board. Then one day, I was in a music store, I happened upon a Katana 50...played thru it...but even though it was a cool little amp, I knew it wouldn't do what I needed. Then I ran into a Katana 100, and although a bit better, still not quite "there", for me. Then, I started reading reviews of this new, upcoming, Artist 100 MkII, and was intrigued. So I ordered one...and waited while it was on back-order! But when it finally arrived, I was blown away! Seriously, it has been everything I have ever wanted in an amp! Front controls were a must, loaded with great, state-of-the-art effects, great sounding amp choices...plus a dedicated amp setting for acoustic, online programmability, lots of presets and variations...the Waza speaker (!) and a great price! And, by the way, the optional GA-FC foot controller is a MUST have for live performances, not too expensive...and makes using the amps presets and effects a breeze! Now its just two guitars and my amp. Perfect setup! Great sound! Great Boss effects...deep, rich sounds in a rather compact and not-too-expensive package!
Glad to hear it!
I have the 212 and it is by far the most versatile and full sounding amp i have ever owned and I've owned a hell of a lot of amps. I really love the fullness of the two twelve, never been a fan of single twelve combos.
really glad to hear that. I've been eyeing the 212 for a few months now.
@@seamusfrawley7586 Make sure you get the foot controller to go with it.
Yes I know what you mean, the 1x12 is very directional, if you're standing off axis to the cab you can't here the trebles, I always use an amp stand that kicks the amp back and towards my ears, its become compulsory for a good tone, have you tried the katana librarian app yet??
@@baronvonchickenpants6564 I couldn't do any combo without an angled amp stand on stage.
How far off is it from the obligatory 700-1000$ tube amps that my musician buddies all seem to use with about 1000$ in pedals? I wonder about investing that cash into something that’s ultimate limited as a gigging amp etc. Sure seems interesting tho
The Artist MKII sounds truly amazing when using the "neighbor friendly" half-watt setting, but turn the master all the way up, and adjust the volume from the amplifier section for best results.
I bought my mkII 50 a bit more than year ago and I wish I had got the 100 one. Really needing that FX Loop now. Great stuff you do here, I wish I had this advice before getting one.
I bought the 50w was so impressed I then bought the 100w 2x12 for the extra features, I liked having 8 presets and wanted some extra low down bass. Then sold the 50w as it wasn’t needed any more. Am very happy with the 100w 2x12 but if I went back in time I would buy the artist . Great video pity(for me) you didn’t make it a year ago as it explained the differences perfectly . Katanas are all superb
I currently have both the artist and 212 and prefer the 212
@@vyvynylification I am currently looking at the mk2 100 vs mk2 212 vs m2 Artist. Why do you prefer the 212 over the artist?
Literally had option paralysis at a guitar center today (had a gift card and birthday money to burn). This is the perfect video for my situation, thanks!
Curious, which one did you get?
@@robbulai6654 Katana 100 mkii. I got the Katana 100 head when it came out, have a GAFC and exp pedal already also. Real dealbreaker was the effects loop for me. The GAFC and Exp pedal compatibility was a nice bonus also.
Thanks Andy. I purchased the 50 watt option as I play at home and have no desire to play live in any club setting. It works for me. I'm just a hobbyist at best. Have a great weekend. Peace!
The answer to answer all questions. If I was to buy a katana it would be a 212 and it's mainly because I used the Roland ga212 as a stage monitor and the 212 blew the doors off and had wheels... Worth checking if the katana 212 comes with wheels. Another note the 50 is amazing for acoustic guitar ✌️ but if I couldn't get 212 I'd definitely use an artist, I tested it out on stage, as well as the 212 Roland and a katana 50 and even the 50 scared a few vocalists, but too me lacked bottom end. They can all be slightly sharp amps but if angled slightly to the side they are creamy and lovely. That's my summary from my experience but today.... I'd prob go for an artist with a live band and a 50 for 1 man band work.
I still have a Mk1 50 . It still rocks and sounds brilliant . I love it
Loud enough to jam with a three piece band or play live? Thx
I went with the 100. It sounds AMAZING. For the price of an artist you can get a tube amp and be even happier with your tone.
Propably, but tube amps are not all of them better, and the critical part is what about effects and controls?
Only small tube amps has the same price with artists like fender in 15 watts only single Chanel.
There are Bugeras in good prise, more watts than fender but sound like for some people, you love it or hate it.
Difficult desizion. No effects and expensive to change valves for tube technology...
I have the 100, 212. It is heavy. I found playing both 100's side by side the 212 had that extra of the artist. The Artist had ,for me, too many knobs for gigging. The Foot pedal is a must for all 100's, with it the panel is easy to operate. The acoustic channel, the boss tone studio, boss/roland quality all add up, Which ever the choice you can not go wrong
Thanks for letting me know John! So the 212 sounds deeper and warmer?
@@TheGuitarGeek yea warmer and a bit fuller. The foot pedal is a must! .prices were a big factor. I'm 57 and the 50lb amp isn't all that heavy. As easy as it is to operate, for me there was still a large "learning curve". Worth every minute.
I have just recently started playing guitar, like 4-6 ish months, and I also bought the 212 a little over a week ago. This is the only amp I have had aside from my fender 15 that Ive had for a long time, but I never really seriously played with it. My former bandmate and I have talked about amps a lot and he was always about the Tube amps, be he also wanted cheap, so he ended up getting a bugera v22 infinium and loved it for a few months. but it quickly turned into an eh and no longer wanted it, however I did love the amps tone but did agree it wasnt really loud enough, so he ended up getting another amp that was a solid state and fell in love with it, this amp was a little heavier but smaller so it was easier to carry. It sounded Fantastic. few months go by and here we are, I now have my own amp, after hearing him play on all different amps at Guitar center and his own amps I had thought I knew what I wanted and was ready to pull the trigger. 3 weeks ago I was at guitar center again and was looking around and spotted one out of the box and I just LOVE the way they(all katanas) look, the main thing was the simple look, how the nobs are on the back, it's so aesthetically pleasing to me. when I got it home and started playing around with it I love the tone and all the sounds I can get out of it. I really wanted the 212 just because it had 2 speakers and was less expensive than the artist, lmao. I play a Squier Jazzmaster and this amp is the best sound I have gotten from my own playing. I do feel like it has more fulfilling lows, compared to its 112 base counterpart, and can rock my house even on the 50W setting. The weight is not a big deal at all, I regularly move 50 pounds and I don't really see why anyone would have an issue with doing this, aside from smaller people that can't efficiently. Ive thought in the past few days maybe I should have gotten the Artist for the little bit more money, but when thinking about all of it and considering it all I dont think I would change my decision between the 4 options.
Sorry for the rant, I don't really comment often, but I didn't know how many people would have commented about there buying experience with this amp. The acoustic channel is by far my favorite channel, just add a little bit of boost and a bit of reverb. amazing.
Edit: Why the fuck do these have this type of usb, just use usb c ffs. tis all.
Brilliant!! Really well explained Andy. I still have my MK1 100 (4 years now) but when it comes time to change it will be the Artist MK2 for me. As a home player I can heartily recommend the 100. It just sounds better at low volume than the 50. 😀👍
Glad I’m still able to bring you the good stuff mate
Hi , keep your 100 Tom and buy the Artist as well for amazing stereo... and the benefit of yer guests having a great amp too. Just got both amps and a pair of GA-FC's . Last stop for me buying amps as the upgrading online keeps ya updated.
Great channel !!
I bought the artist mk2 and fell in love immediately.This amp sounds amazing, has great usable effects, tons of EQ options and versatility. Best money I ever spent!
Yep, and that Waza Craft speaker is a wonderful thing.
This video is very helpful. Thank you for putting this together. You speak with clarity, address many questions (that I didn't consider beforehand) and have a great sense of humor and passion.
I've had the MKI 100w for a few years now and its been a fantastic amp for live gigs and recording. Recently bought an Artist MKII, and am keeping the MKI for stereo. The Artist has a much better speaker, and you immediately notice the difference. I like the fact you can add a midi controller like the Behringer FCB 1010 and use it with the gafc for an awesome live setup. I put the gafc into effects mode to switch fx on and off, and the midi controller to switch patches, solo boost and pedal fx on and off plus its two expression pedals. Saves doing a tap dance with the gafc when playing live !
Ordered my 100/ 2x12 today . More cab, more resonance. More speaker, more air pushed and more perceived headroom. It’s physical, and it has all the goodies. Living room to studio to stage, you have it all. And most of us have hauled around Fenders and Marshall’s for decades and 48 pounds is a cake walk.
Excellent video and covers all the things I went through deciding which to buy. Bought the 100, did not regret it!
I owned the Artist and 100, 212. The 212 sounds much better/bigger especially in a gig setting. I also own a 100 1x12 for home use and bring it to gigs as a back up.
Great summation of these amps! I own the Artist and a guitarist in one of the bands I work with owns the 50. I agree with you the sounds are insanely awesome from these amps. The Artist with the Waza Craft speaker can most def play in the big league! But sound wise (and especially the effects) they're both pretty awesome amps.
Great Video!
I bought a 2x12 100w a few years ago before the artist came out.
To me it was the best one by far. Much deeper and warmer tone. Plus I think when gigging more speakers the better so it was the best choice. I would of had an artist but I don't like gigging with 1 speaker. More speakers more air moving!
My back votes for the Katana 50.I only use a Fender Full Moon Distortion so I don't need the other effects, except for a little bit of reverb.I have a Fender Hot Rod and over the years it becomes too heavy for my back.We all get older.Very good and informative Video. Thank you.🤓👍🏻
I have a Boss Katana ARTIST MKII & I absolutely love it! All of my videos are shot using this amp & it definitely delivers.
I bought the Artist. I originally had a MkI 100 (still have it) but when the Mkii came out I opted for the Artist. No regrets, it’s an awesome amp
Great choice!
The solution to the 212 or 2x12 combo is the Katana 100w Head.
It replaces the idea of having that bigger sound with also having the ability to run all sorts of different cabinets and speaker types, speaker quality and speaker quantity.
It has all the bells and whistles too.
Its very simple to wire up an output jack to the 100w combo. Just make sure the amp is off!
This is probably the best Boss Katana buying video without listening to useless minutes of sound sampling that means nothing to people listening on their phones, tablets, or computers. Is it their (other video's) mixing, line outs, or my headphones that I'm hearing? From a practical standpoint in this RUclips world, the features are what's going to set them apart. You've effectively delineated the differences and basically brought it down to "Yes, I like the sound of this amp that I've only heard through online videos" or "No, I should return this and try amp B". Thank you!
I needed an amp that was light and portable for band practice which is in my friend's basement studio. I chose the Katana 50 MKII for that reason. It is light and easy to carry down a flight of stairs. The 4 presets work fine for what I am doing so that was not an issue. Also keep in mind that with the V2 software update all of the features that are on the front panel of the Artist are available via the software on the 50. You can set the tone contour, cabinet mode, and Solo and save it in the presets.With the software you can set not only a huge variety of pedals and effects, but you can also select your signal chain. That means that you can have effects be either after or before the preamp. Effectivly a built in effects loop.
If I were looking at gigging with the Katana I would probably go with either to 100 or the Artist. However I have my Marshall DSL40C that I use when I gig. I use the Katana to get my Marshall sounds for practice.
So the 50 is loud enough to play with a bad? I was wondering if I should exchange the 50 watt, while I can, to the 100 watt but I love the size and weight and sound of the 50 watt, thx
@@scourneene I found the 50 watt Katana was more than capable of keeping up with the band. We had a drummer, bass (who likes it loud), another guitar and keyboard. The keyboard was amped into a leslie cab. For a club gig the Katana would be more than capable. I like it because it is very versatile and easy to carry. I only need to make one trip from my car to the gig/practice. I have my guitar in one hand and the Katana in another.
@DeWittPotts sweet, thanks for replying, I really don't want the 100 watt but thought if the volume wasn't there in a jam session I'd be bummed. But just like your saying, the size and lightweight of the 50 watt is a win and loud enough apparently. Stoked, thanks!
I started with the 100/212. It's ok. I now have the Artist (well two actually). The speaker is much better than the two speakers in the 100/212. The cabinet is much more solid than the 100/212. The speaker out jacks are a great feature. I can use that to drive one or two of the magnificent Boss WAZA-212 cabinets.
This is a fantastic video. I impulse ordered a Katana 100 for home use only and woke up in a sweat after having nightmares of blowing the walls down with noise. I wanted the features and options but not necessarily the LOUDNESS. I'm relatively new and just playing in bedroom. The 130$ difference between 50 and 100 was not an issue. Appreciate you breaking this down plain and simple. I'll be living on the .5 setting!
This is the reason i just might go for the 100w head instead haha.
I have the 100 and love it. It took a while to learn how to set-up & program the sounds I like into the 8 channels. But once you get that done, it is really super easy to use. The GA-FC is a must, and while pricey, it unlocks the full potential of the amp. My POD HD500 is now gathering dust!
For $13 you can use the app and have the functionality of the gafc plus access all effect parameters. I do agree however that the foot switch is essential if gigging with the Katana
I just bought a boss katana mk2 50 a few days ago and I love that thing. I haven't even hooked up a laptop to it yet because I don't have a laptop but it is a great amp. I will probably buy the boss katana artist next.
Good post mate.
Got the 100w 2x12 mk2.
20 kg +.
But good bottom end with 2 speakers.
And less strain on 1 speaker.
When the amp is on the floor (as most usually are) top mount controls are easier to work with than front mount like the Artist.
Unless you stack your amps, or put your power box on the top (like I do)
The Katana Head can be used with the controls top mounted or, if you don't use the internal speaker, front mounted.
On the floor it sounds worse though. Why would you want to point a speaker at your feet?
@@KeepChessSimple that's why you tilt if on the floor. So knobs on the front are always preferable.
I went ahead and ordered the 100w 2x12 combo so I have something reliable to gig with. Never been picky about my amps. Excited to try it out!
Thank you for making this video. Straight and to the point. You really covered everything anyone would need to know. I've watched so many videos on these amps and you still taught me that the MkII 100 watt is the move.
Thanks Mac! Glad you enjoyed it
I found the perfect system. I have 2 Boss Katana MkII 100. I use one as a master, and the other as slave. The steophonic effect is incredible.
I did the same. Sounds awesome
What a great review!! I was ready to go buy the 50 tomorrow, but after watching this, it's either the 100 or the artist for me. Thank you so much!
I bought a 100/212... mostly because im playing with really loud drummers and i just think that 2x12 will give you a fatter, fuller, slightly louder sound.. better for gigs than 100 1x12
Great video Andy and much appreciated. My only disappointment was that you counted out the MkII 2 x12 without hearing it. I appreciate your openmindedness to ask for the opinions of people who own them. Safe to say the large majority of them would pick the MKII 2 x 12 over the Artist MKII 1x12 due to the bigger, deeper, and louder quality of sound. The weight cannot come into play because you are at 41lbs for the Artist already so 2 more lbs makes no difference. I have a small handtruck which has been a back saver for longer walk loadins. I don't use midi and the few extra features do not justify the Artist over the 2 x 12 IMHO. The front panel as you said is preferred but again, with the footswitch, I never need to look at the panel on stage but maybe once or twice as I have everything pre-set. The MKII 2 x 12 is an amp you should hear. Thank you for the video! Will check out more.
Same here, I bought the 50 (mk1) a few years back because I was really strapped for cash. Sold it and got a 100 mk2 a while later, mainly because of the effects loop. While I like the option of having all the built in effects, I still prefer a physical board with individual pedals. I was also considering a Blackstar ht20 but went with the Katana because I couldn't justify spending that much more on a valve amp with fewer features, when I already knew I like the Katana sound-wise.
The effects loop ended up becoming my determining factor for going with the mkII 100.
I bought the 212 for the super wide sound, which it has. I'm happy with my purchase.
Yet another great demo...thanks! I bought the first edition Kat 50 when it first came out and it did ok with band rehearsals, but found that it could not keep up volume-wise when playing with another guitarist using a small tube amp (of all things a Mesa Subway Rocket). So last year I bought the Kat 100MkII, figuring that would give me the extra volume I'd need in case I went to another jam or had it for a gig. My next purchase will be another 100MkII 1x12 combo (or perhaps even an Artist) so I could take full advantage of the 'stereo' feature of the Katana line. In the last 40+ years I have played through just about every brand of amp you could imagine, Tube or SS, but the Katana has everything I'd need without the weight & bulk of the old school amps I used in the early 80's. I feel having 3 of these beasts will finally complete the picture...lol.
I own a 50 right now but i am thinking about upgrading straight to the Artist because of the upgraded speaker, features, and yes. The front panel.
I was set on getting Fender Mustang but you changed my mind with Katana 50 mk2. But after going back and forth you convicted me to go w Katana 100 mk2. Though the Mustang has more presets and way better app. At the end of the day it’s all about the sound.
You earned my sub to your channel. Aloha 😊
I have the 212 cabinet with a 100 head and tbh it really changed for me. I don't know what this had over the standard 100, but to me it just felt better, persay. The bigger tone and the fact that I could use the head on diffrent amps is what really sold it for me.
I watch this video often just because I have both the 100 mk1 and the Artist mk2 and can't decide which one to keep... Every time you make me smile with "aaaah the Artist ! The price, the speaker, the front panel" - Ciao da Verona, Italia
Used market for first generation Katanas is pretty good. If you want to save some bucks , you can buy a Katana mk1 series. Then if you use thirparty software like fxfloorboard, you can unlock "katana mk2" features in firmware. You can make custom sounds and build custom signal change and save them in your katanas channel. You can example use invidual effects like in katana mk2. Ofc you cant/edit those onboard katana with the knobs because katana mk1 lacks the those knobs what mk2 have.
The Katana Head is actually a combo and sounds pretty good for a bedroom amp and you can always add a speaker cab when needed.
Where was this when I bought my original Katana 50(jk😉). I do have the first generation of the 50, and love it, but definitely wish I had the extra features like the line out and effects loop. Great informative video Andy.
I hear you. I’m glad I went for the 100 at first
I'm leaning towards the 100 212 only for it being 212. I wish the Nextone had a 212 offering and the Blues Cube 212 is pretty expensive. As far as the weight goes, I wouldn't have an issue with it since I carry 45lb plates in each hand at the gym for one of my exercises. I also want that bigger sound. After trying out the 50 and loving it, I definitely want something more.
I’ve been watching videos (especially the ones on this channel) on katanas for a while now and I finally said fuck it and just ordered a MKII Artist. Cheers my boy and thank you the the super informative videos that helped solidify my decision!
I got the 50 because of size. It's perfect for at home playing. Sometimes if I'm not feeling the built-in sounds or want to play with a looper, I plug a pedalboard into the power amp and it works great. I believe you when you say that the speaker is "raspy", though I've no clue what you mean by that 😁 Without having compared it to the 100, it sounds great to my ears compared to other small combos I've owned (both ss and tube).
Great video. Probably the most informative one on the subject. Will be useful to many. Cheers!
Thanks for watching! The pedalboard into the power amp works really well. The speaker in the 50 sounds to me more thrashy but in a good way sometimes
Just picked up a used artist after this video. Amazing.
After owning a 50 MKI, a 100 MKI, and an Artist MKI, i ended up sticking with a 100 MKII. Great for giging, and home playing. Great for dirt pedals. Much lighter than the Artist. And, contrary to Andy, I do like the top panel, as the amp mostly leans on the floor.
Easy to tweak the four tones that I mostly use, and completing it with a few pedals.
Estoy por comprar el katana 100 para tocar en casa. Para blues y jazz lo aconsejas? Gracias
Yeah I don’t understand why front panel controls are so highly praised. If the amp isn’t at eye level, you have bend down to see it. I use a Roland cube and I can just look down and see what is going on. Just have to lean over a little bit to make changes.
Thinking of buying the 100/212 MkII for a Fender Rhodes which is shining in the living room. Transportability is therefore no issue. I used a variety of amps but was never happy. I had a Fender Stereo Chorus transistor amp (not warm enough), Fender Twin Reverb (does sound horrible on low volume), Fender Princeton '67 reissue (not enough lows and a horrible reverb) and a nobody knows tube amp which was ok-ish but died the other day not very long after I invested in a 200 euro repair.
Re-thinking what I want and came up with the following must have list:
- Warm tube sound on home level (no neighbours though so occasionally ).
- Effects like reverb, phaser, tremolo, rotary speaker, compressor.
- Looper possibility.
- Good sound also with headphones.
- Clean looks (knobs on the back top is a plus in this case).
To me it looks like the Katana 100/212 ticks all the boxes except that I don't know how it sounds with a Fender Rhodes.
Question: Anyone tried a Fender Rhodes on the 100/212 and if not would you think the Katana 100/212 should be fine for this purpose ?
Sounds like a great idea! If you do this, I would LOVE to hear it
The footswithch and the line out are almost a no brainer benefit. Oh, and the tone difference is obvious. Great review. I wish I would have watched this, because now I’m in return mode!
Thanks! Enjoy the new one
I considered the Artist but in the end I went for the 100 and used some of the left over money to upgrade the speaker to a Celestion Vintage 30.
Probably the only amp any one will ever need IMO
How did you like the speaker swap? How different was it?
@@jayfrench7476 very different! However I changed the V30 out for a Neo Creamback instead. The V30 works well in a 4x12 because of the extra low end that comes with using a 4x12. However in the combo it was too bright IMO so I got a good deal on a Neo Creamback and that sounds fantastic.
@@jarrusjenkins I was thinking of swapping for either the waza speaker or an eminence Texas heat to give me a fuller sound, also considered the creamback.
@@jayfrench7476 Celestion Vtype might be a good option as well if you're after a "full" sound.
Thank you, this review was definitely on point as I have the 100 katana Mark II exactly for the reasons you said but now I'm contemplating maybe upgrading the internal speaker to a was a craft after watching this, nothing definite yet but just an idea. Thank you for the review and I will continue to watch.
Reason I went with the head version is that I have a 4-12 cabinet and there’s a decent built in speaker in the head if I don’t want to work with my cabinet. The Artist was a huge temptation. I’m disappointed with the noise, but the smart noise suppression applied via software is a godsend. If you want to work by amp panel only, good luck.
Great info otherwise. Thank you, Andy.
I first had the 50. Then went to the Artist. Then sold that and got the head and 2X12 cabinet. Big mistake. The head and 2x12 was too much to move around and to get a good sound, it felt like I had to really crank it to get a good tone. I should have kept the artist. Now I have the 100. The Artist was the best. The front panel and the Waza speaker are where it's at. My opinion, If you have the means. Artist all the way. If not, the 100. Great video!
I'm sold on the Artist! I've been watching every video i can find regarding the Katanas, and because of this video, the Artist is the one for me. 👍❤️
i was just about to ask for the weight and then you talk about it. Great video!!!
Get the Katana Two Twelve (that's how you actually say it)
Then Upgrade those speakers as soon as you can afford it - I replaced mine with 200 watt Eminence Legends and couldn't be more pleased with the Result!! Talk About Headroom!!
I have mk1 100/212 . I was lucky to get a B stock from thomann for the same price as a normal 100w. And Indeed it pretty heavy atleast takes less space than my 4x12 and 100w Head and easier to transport that with car. But yes its heavy enough not to want to move it all the time. But it does sound fuller and I get a poweramp and "2x12" cab with one amp so I like this.
I tried the 100 and 212 against similar Blackstar combo's. But I wasn't looking for a guitar amp, as I've already got a Fender valve amp. I wanted it as a electric violin amp. Because of the acoustic amp model, this is hands down the absolute best amp I've ever played though. The 212 has way more resonance and can take a load of pedals, I use some in the front and also make use of the e loop. Probably not many fiddle players choosing big amps like this, but once rehearsals and gigs get underway soon I'm going to be telling everybody about this amp! The price of these is crazy good for what u get!
Some people may not know this because these amps are usually played on chug chug mode with 0 2 tab but hear me out : the way the Katana plays jazzy tones has blown my mind. Use Acoustic channel with cranked gain and be amazed. Volume and Master is up to you.
Yep! Hit the nail on the head! Better cleans than a lot of fender amps I've played with
I like the head version with the built-in speaker. That's perfect for jamming at home then I can take it to practice and sit it on top of my cabinet.
I just purchased an Artist. I was sold on a 100, but the front facing panel is what pushed me to the Artist. Never underestimate the appeal of ease of use.
EXACTLY!!!!!!
Great content, I was looking to get back into playing at home, this time my youngest daughter wanting to try guitar for the first time. I needed something with a large-ish speaker for tone (not one of those junk 10w generic crapboxes) but without needing to be cranked to get a decent sound from it. Funnily enough I went in reverse order.... I saw the 212 and was drooling, decided it was too much for what I needed, then the 100, again this was purely a home practice/learning amp. Was worried the 50 would be a poor relation but thanks to your vid I could assess exactly what was needed. Il be ordering a 50 on payday (along with my daughters first guitar). Great content, great advice - thanks so much!
Great comparison simple explanations to the point Brilliant Video!!
I've had a 100 and now the Artist, it is SO good to me. Very versatile and full of *useful* high tech stuff. If you have the room for this boi, and some money in your pockets, this is definitely one of the best combos out there fo sho. Definitely worth its price, and the upgrade was worth it too!
Edit: you remind me of some other youtuber specialized in camera gear named Jared Polin lol. It's all about the afro.
This is the exact video I have been needing to see as I am looking into my first real guitar amp for tracking at home. Thank you so much.
Good to hear! You’re welcome
You can run the Katana directly into your DAW via USB, no need for seperate audio interface.
I own a Katana 50 and a Katana mini. Honestly if you ONLY play at home and alone, the mini is perfect. It has the tones a bedroom musician would be looking for(not so much for recording) when trying to get a good practice session in- whatever genre he may be playing.
Thanks for this, I’ve got the 50 on it’s way this morning. I only play at home so I don’t think I’ll need additional features and won’t be gigging with it.
Wish every review was as good as this!
Bring back the katana tone videos. ....plz
I have the 212, mainly because I like 212s, however I want to get the Artist because of the front panel, the Waza speaker, etc. I wish there was an Artist with 212.
Has anyone put 2 Waza speakers into 2x12 combo?
Like he said though, you can connect another speaker
I currently have both at home and out of the box on the same settings I prefer the 212. The artist is a bit muddier
@@vyvynylificationI’m trying to decide between the artist and the 2x12. I want the one that sounds fuller and bigger. Some say the 2x12 and others say the artist because of the speaker and cab.
Do you think the 2x12 sounds bigger and better?
@@metalliholic I'm trying also to decide between artist and 2x12... what did you buy in the end?
I bought the 2×12..its a beast..you can really move some air with it..loud and I love it
I've had the katana 50 mk1, katan 100 212 mk1, and now the katana artist mk2. That waza craft speaker truly makes a big difference. The sound is just more real. Now when I have that amp which sounds amazing I don't feel bad buying expensive guitars anymore becuase my guitars are way better than my amp. If you find a good deal used which I did, I think it's a no brainer
The line out issue sold me on the 100! Thank you.
Brilliant well-presented video. Just got the artist was considering sending it back for the 50. Have to say I think my Blues Junior is much nicer on cleans. The katana sounds like a kemper profile in comparison like I'm hearing a recorded guitar track. You can hear the strings on the Fender and it sounds to me like there's more headroom. Katana's great for lead and overdrive with fx plus for recording. I can't stop playing it. Maybe I need to get used to it can't gig with 2 amps though...one for clean and one for overdrive, hence was considering 50 for home use but then I lose the waza speaker. Decisions decisions! 😊
Entertaining and informative as always! I would totally go for the 100 if only the panel was on the front. I'm so puzzled why that position is seen as a premium feature. Marshall, Fender, Mesa/Boogie. Even the old Peavey and Crate amps I grew up with, that's where the controls are, and I never wished them to be anywhere else. I think the ideal is an angled front panel as on some Boogie and Fender amps. I'm 30+ year player and lifelong guitar guy, but I'm just not a good enough or serious enough player to throw that much money at an amp. Please, BOSS, could it really be that expensive to put the controls on the front of all of these?
Sorry mate but I wouldn't want them in the front. The 50 and the 100 are an entry level /midrange amp where people just put it on the floor and scratch their heads at all those knobs.(had to mute the group notifications) The artist is a different beast and is worth its name and the proper knob placement. Boss are smart marketers.
They wanted the clean aesthetics of how the front looks without all the controls. Regardless if anyone thinks that it was a good or bad idea,...I guarantee you that is what the reasoning was.
I went with and recommend the Katana 100 due to the effects loop. Worth the extra for this flexibility & functionality.
Yes the GA-FC comes handy to switch beetween different sounds on the fly.
It's about the money! That's why I bought the Artist 1... After the A-2 was released. I call that a Bargain, The BEST I Ever Had! Love my amp!
Got the original 100 combo when it came out and loved it. Played it live and at home. Recently upgraded to the Artist Mk II mainly to get the new features and had enough money for the Artist. Oh yeah I also use the GAFC and have done since I got the original amp.
Keep up the good work. I do like your vids
I've "played" for about 16 years. By that, I bought a Schecter and Spider Line-6, and a few peddles in about 2007. Never did more than just noodle around by myself with what I had.Lost those a few years later. Bought a couple of cheap guitars sometime around 2012 and came upon a cheap Crate 30w amp, and did the same thing on and off. My wife bought me a nice Ibanez a couple Xmas's ago - but still had the Crate amp, which sounds like absolute crap.
The Katana has been something I've wanted for about a year now, and finally bought the 50w recently. For sure I'd love the Artist, but the 50w amp is better than anything I've ever owned and has motivated me to take some music theory classes finally, and have been practicing daily since I've gotten it. If anyone has any interest in the Katana series, and is an inexperienced player - feel confident in the 50w. It sounds absolutely amazing (to me), and the ability to hook up to the Boss Studio for new presets is an awesome bonus. Maybe one day I'll work up to an Artist series. But for now, I'm in love with my 50w
I just bought my 212. Reason because when I tested the MKII 100 one speaker with the two speakers side by side, it was obvious that the two speakers amp sound better to my ears.
I also have the 100 /212 it's very warm sounding and it's great at 1/2 watt for my bedroom it is a bit heavy when traveling around, was able to hook it up with another 212 for the
stereo expansion and wow its amazing made the house shake . The GAFC is a must to unlocking the beast inside this combo ..
Two 212s!!!! Wowzers!
Acá desde México, tengo el 100/212 y créanme que estoy satisfecho, realmente el sonido es muy definido y creo al menos a mis necesidades, la potencia y el buen sonido que tiene están perfectos ❤️
Lo has usado a 0.5w para practicar? Y si lo has hecho, suena bien?
@@Ricardo-ry4ju si la verdad si ayuda a niveles bajos para ensayo, aún que lo uso más en 50 ensayo y 100 obviamente para evento!
I'd recommend an old Peavey Bandit over any Katana, Fender Mustang or Marshall Code.
I have a red Peavey Bandit and an Artist Mk11. Both are great amps but the Artist has definitely moved the goal posts forward and is much more flexible with power settings in particular starting from 0.5 watt.
Sold my katana 100w mk 2 last month, to much fanning about with tone studio and od channels sound horrible and fizzy when driven. The clean channel was epic, the crunch was good. Now the proud owner of a Voc AC15, amazing!!