Affordable Boss Katana Footswitch: Ultra Hack!
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Do you own a Boss Katana, and need a affordable footswitch for channel switching? Check this little hack out! Make sure to subscribe for weekly uploads.
Follow these steps to upgrade to V2
www.bossus.com...
Buy the Live Wire LWS22 at any Guitar Center, or get the Hosa equivalent here
amzn.to/2tempyy
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Jacob Tanis
P.O Box 88
Lamont MI 49430
JacobT.Tanis@gmail.com 
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Dude, I was hesitating about buying the Katana 50 because of the footswitch issue, now i have the answer. Those who are on the budget salutes you
Not all heroes wear capes. Thanks dude!
It’s not often you come to RUclips and find what you’re looking for with the first video. Cheers!
Just bought my son a "50" (Mk II). He's still learning but is progressing fast. I just wanted to get him something decent. Turns out this is WAY decent and WAY affordable.
Cool trick... but man alive I love the GFAC footswitch's functionality. Picking the four different channels and also being able to on off the delay/ FX , boost/ mod, and reverb with the pedal. It's really incredible.
Definitely agree. If you want to have more control at your feet, the GAFC is the way to go!
Does the GFAC work with the 50 mkii? @jaketanis3069
@@andrewrobert5019 no it doesn't.
Yea it's definitely worth it. I play the katana 100 212 combo.
My god man! What is your problem with Boss? Did you ever think maybe I like over $100 for a footswitch? Huh? No you have to come at me with a way better option and for only $30. Not to mention I've got one of those sitting in my garage. So for me it's actually free! No but for real thankyou for this video. Keep killing it!
Useful vid. As an extra bit of info; I tried a footswitch that was almost identical to this except that it had LEDs above each button. But it would not work with the Katana 50. I wondered if it was because of the resistor and LED in the circuit so I opened it up and snipped one of the LED wires from each switch and bingo! Works like a charm.
I have the Marshall PEDL 90012 dual latched footswitch and while the channel works, the FX does not. So if I cut the LED wires to each button you would assume that it would work?
@@danosmanca that Marshall pedal looks to be the same set-up as the one I have. I’m no expert but I’d assume it would work.
Your gear, your choice.
I was happy to risk it because it’s a simple fix to replace or resolder the led if it didn’t work. Can’t hurt the amp.
@@tonymakmusic True enough. Thanks for your input. I bought the pedal for use with my Katana MKII 50W thinking it was a cheap second-hand buy so I'm not out much.
@@tonymakmusic It worked great. Snipped the wires with the resistors to break the LED circuits and can always re-solder those wires in the future. Thanks for your help!
Cool. After watching this I checked my Gallien Kruger footswitch from the middle of 80-s and it worked fine!! :)
I use the FS-6 but I have also grown used to keeping my laptop on and hooked up via USB to the amp at every rehearsal and gig. This allows greater access to livesets through the BOSS Tone Studio app. I switch livesets on each break between sets. Some people might think that's too much work, but it gives you so much more access to all the amazing effects. What I would really love to see is speed keys for each liveset, like Ctrl-1, Ctrl-2 etc.
There is a great little app called Katana Librarian that allows the same control via your phone.. Not free but worth every penny to save having to link up the laptop. Allows you to import, create and edit patches too...
Can an iPad be used to access the pedals? That would be terrific if they had an app for it.
Thank you it WORKS ! I had this pedal just sitting in my Drawer was about to sell it ! pugged it into my 50 and walah!
Thank you for this video. I ended up with the Hosa footswitch for twenty bucks and saved me on a lot of headache.
How is the Hosa holding up after one month? I'm considering getting it myself. Thanks.
Sometimes the most obvious solution right in front of our eyes needs to be pointed out by someone else! Thank you!
You're welcome!
True that there are cheaper options but with the FS 6 you can do a lot more than just switching channels in the amp.... as long as you have other Boss effects it can be quite useful. In any case, thanks for the tip!
Nick Wolf Happy to help
Most of these footswitches are very simple: the bridge either the sleeve and the tip, or the sleeve and the ring of the trs connector when you press either button. Most dual footswitches work the same way, so they are easily interchangeable. What changes is what the amp does when the input is read, i have seen distortion/reverb, distortion/boost, channel up/down (v-amp), or the laney ironhearts, which allow you to use two footswitches, one for channel switching and another for boost/reverb
I agree, and honestly 99 bucks really isn't all that much more than a standard 2 button switch. I don't know anyone who uses a katana for anything other than bedroom playing, but I would imagine that trying to navigate parameters with a 2 button switch would be way awkward in a live situation.
@Евгений Духанин It can also work in latching mode IIRC, which for guitar amps generally won't be used. It also has led lights, if you care for those. Then there is the build quality
Darth - eh? What are you talking about? Latching is pretty much the *only* mode used by guitar amps.
Thanks for posting this man. I just bought the Hosa version for like 16 clams. Really looking forward to having a foot switch!
Happy to help! Hope it works out for you!
Would you be able to give me the model of the hosa switch pedal? Thank you
If you put in perspective, The GA-FC footswitch if proportionally price correct. You show a 2 button pedal for $30, GA-FC is a 6 button for $90. Plus the GA-FC also add you the option to add at the same time 2 expression pedals.
The katana 50 isnt compatible with the GA FC, if youre getting the K100 for sure go for the GAFC but if it's the K50 you gotta look for alternatives.
Thanx for the information. I have been wanting a GA-FC for a few years, but I just can't justify spending $100+($133 @ Sweetwater right now) for the convenience. $30 is fantastic, again thank you!
tnx Jake. I checked the amazon link. now it's even a lot cheaper - just $18!
I really appreciate you sharing this! I Just ordered a katana and one of these. Someone said not all heroes wear capes, and that is very true in this situation.
I agree. Boss should drop the price on its footswitch, or it should simply be included. This is an extremely popular line of amps, and if Boss did this, sales would increase exponentially. I'm glad Boss has taken a serious dive into making great solid-state amps. I gigged with a Randall RG75 in the 80s, a terrific combo. So I've never been a detractor of solid-state amps, because I always saw the possibility and knew this technology could only improve over time. I've also owned plenty of tube amps. Not having to worry about tubes is a great relief.
You just saved me sooooooooo much frustration with my 50w
Nice hack. Different folks means different strokes. If this works for some people, do it. Some will need the gafc for the ktn 100. It really unlocks the amps full potential.
BOSS FS-7 pedal does exactly the same thing for the same price and is BOSS! No Brainer! Your Music shop should know that!! I am in Australia!!!
Thanks for the info Jake!
My old Peavey two-button switch works great with the Katana.
Using the same thing for mine!
Dude, this video was really helpful. Thank you so much
Δημήτρης Ζιώγας Happy to help!
Thanks for the info. Nicely done. Simple solution.
uk7769 Happy to help!
The vox vfs2A does not work FYI.
The one that fender makes that only has one button works just as well plus you might not get confused and press the wrong button lol
Thanks for making this! I hate batteries and refuse to use them, so this is a great alternative.
Thanks man, great info!
Thank you for tuning in!
Thanks for the info. Great job!
Great video! The Vox VFS2 also works for Katana 50.
is there any difference between vsf2 and vsf2a beside the leds?
@@escder3518 I have the vfs2. I tried the vfs2a in the store but it did not seem to work with Katana 50 (or it was broken).
I almost lost my money. Thank you
Katanas are now upgradeable to V3 as of dec 21 this year
Kevys Rc & Music I am updating mine shortly
@@jaketanis3069 already did mine great update
@Vladimir Demirev the upgrade to V3 is worth it yes
Thank you , i was waiting for this solution !! this bring more fun in buying stuff for such simple switch problem holding me back for quite a while !! these Boss switches are just to damn expensive (and why didn't they just came with the amp ??)A switch is just a (stupid) switch !!!!
I cannot thank you enough brother
Thanks for the tip! You just saved me 40 bucks! Cheers!
Nice going, Young Blood. Thanks for the tip. Subscribed, liked and rung (the bell).
Found the FS-6 for $25 on FB marketplace 🍻
Is it compatible?
@@Gabos_Parfums yes and it's perfect. One pedal to cycle between banks, one pedal to cycle between channels. And you can change the pedal action from "momentary" to "latch" so it will either switch when you stomp it, or only switch while you're holding it down and revert back when you release. You can also reverse the polarity for each pedal.
It's also just a handy pedal. I use it now with Ableton to trigger a loop to start recording while I'm playing the guitar since my hands aren't free to press buttons
And I already own that footswitch ,I use it on my vakveking combo...thanks man💪👍🤘
Not all heros wear capes! Thanks guy!
I have the Katana 100 212 and the GT10 multi effect pedal. I discovered that I can change channels 1 and 2 with it. As far as all of the other effects, the GT10 has that covered
Headsup, I bought a Hughes & Kettner FS-2 and it didn't work
Respect, that was good, Iove to hear stories about life when you we a teenager and I thoroughly enjoyed your broadcast
I use a Marshall 2 button switch with my Kat50 👍 does that same thing.
same one that comes with the DSL?
Hi! Which model? Does it have led on?
@@SweetButRembel I also got the Marshall DL-91004 (www.thomann.de/gb/marshall_mrpedl91004_footswitch.htm ). Works perfectly. I wanted to take the Marshall DL-91003 with led display (www.thomann.de/gb/marshall_mrpedl91003_footswitch.htm) but after testing its not compatible.
I bought the Hosa pedal.. it switches between banks A & B.. & the first 2 channels of each bank on the Katana 100.. so it gets u 4 of the 8 channels...if you don’t use a TRS pedal it will only switch between 2 channels & not switch banks... thanks for the hack...
It seems you need a Hosa cable for it to switch banks.
Sorry, not necessarily a Hosa cable, but a TRS cable. TRS is not the same cable as you would use for your amp to your guitar.
I bought the KAtana thinking I would have a foot switch in the box, that came with it. I didn't research enough. lol
But, now I am looking for a foot switch to go with it. I used one that was in the practice studio (I think the bass player owned it haha), and it worked similar to the one in this video...switch A swapped between 1 & 2, but switch B actually just changed the tone/FX. It was weird (maybe I was just confused since I had just opened up the box at practice haha).
ANywho...I now know what I will be purchasing.
Just hacked this hack: turns out every standard 2 channel footswitch will probably work. Check if you have a regular fs of an old amp or something and try it before buying someting!!!
Great, instandly ordered one.
MrAutoPutzer Sweet!
You dudes are so lucky you have this shit snuck since the beginning of you playing where you can go to RUclips for all your questions when I started I was like 10 this was not a thing yeah the Internet existed but you didn’t have RUclips guitar lessons and all yeah recording software but it was extremely expensive and extremely hard to use and you literally had to be a fucking engineer by you guys have got to be freaking amazing if I had this shit when I was young I would have killed it at Juilliard
Good info but the GAFC is worth every penny considering what it does
What does it do that this option doesn't? I'm literally looking for a switch for the K50 as I type this. Pretty sure my amp doesn't support the 4 way switch anyway, but $30 seems(checks math) cheaper than the $50-60 for the Boss foot switch
@@thedickens6490, if you have a 50 watt, this is a great solution, but I"m not going to scroll through channels on my 100. The GA-FC provides direct access and if you're going from a lead to a clean to a boost, etc you don't want to remember which one you were on and how many clicks it takes to get where you're going.
@@thedickens6490 Can't Tap Tempo with this. If you are wanting to use a foot switch that means you don't want to use your hands to mess with the amp. If you swap songs and have delay on, you are going to be reaching for the amp. That alone was enough for me to get the boss switch.
the GA FC is not compatible with the 50, which this video is reviewing.
instantly ordered this thing
I wonder how a Fender 4 button switch would work with the Katana Artist Mk II.
Just saved me 40£. Thank you
Watching this video in the end of 2022 when everything is so much more expensive, that $99 foot switch is now 150 and the cheaper foot pedal is like $80 now
maybe for 2 channels that works but if channel one is my clean and channel two is my metal and i have 4 channels. thats gonna be a pain to switch back to clean in the middle of a song. cool idea for the 50 though.
Even works with the Katana mkII. Thanks for the share.
The 2nd switch isn't working on my mkII (not changing banks), any ideas?
Edit: Cable wasn't TRS.
@@SowerDaddy Make sure you are using a TRS cable, not a instrument/guitar cable.
Thanks for the info Jake!
That’s my only issue with Boss, they can build the Katana 50 &100 great amps at a great price point but the GA-FC foot controller is well over priced! You need the control pedal to use the functionality while playing. Would anyone buy a new TV if it came without the remote control? Come on BOSS surly you are better than this, do it as a package and don’t put the price up £100
People wouldn’t mind paying a bit more if they got the complete package.
“100” for a solid metal foot switch that is multi function programmable is “too much”? Okay, sure😂
Great Tip
very cool !! thanks come on with some more hacks ??
Great hack ! Thanks
Awesome video. Great hack🤘🤘
Thank you my friend
A Standard two button foot switch should be compatible with Boss Amps.
Nice, i use the same one that came with my marshall mg
Great tip!
Thanks Bro!
Awesome dude you’re a lifesaver
How does this work on the 100 watt version for all 4
Anyone have an answer for this question?
Need an answer for this. Does it work for 100?
Thank you very much! 🙏🤘🏽
You bet!
THE BOSS GA-FC ISN'T COMPATIBLE WITH BOSS MKII 50W!!! WHY DO THESE VIDS KEEP MENTIONING THAT?!
He's not talking about the GA-FC, this is an alternative to the FS-6 for the 50.
Just get the Hosa F-385 and cable and life will be good 😎✌️.
Remember when a boss GT-6 multi effects was like $500-600 dollars and each effect pretty much sounded useless unless you had other stuff to silence all the noise and interference. 🤣
Cool hack! Subbed 😁😁😁
Good day! I have a few questions. Do you have a diagram of this footswitch? Buttons without fixing? Our stores do not have this footswitch, I want to assemble it myself. Thanks for the video and good luck! From Russia with love!
Юрий К. I do not unfortunately. Any diagram for a dual latching switch should suffice.
@@jaketanis3069 ,It's a pity. Thanks for the answe!
I'm guessing the reason the boss foot switches are so expensive is to make up for production costs of boss katanas given they are such quality amps for the price. Similar to how playstation and xbox sell their consoles at a loss. Or maybe boss is just greedy lol
Could be!
Awesome, thanks!
Cheers dude! Is this like the ABY box? I think fender has this ABY1 box as well
Thbk you so much for this. Does the Hose use just a regular 1/4" jack or does it need a special cord?
V3 is out.
I got a used Rocktron midi X-switcher for $20 and it worked great. Any used midi controller will work. Still less convenient and functional than the Boss switcher that I eventually bought. Still, there’s another option for ya.
BTW...there boss big ass footswitch has a bit of a delay between channels...not good in a live application. Seems like your mechanical Switch has none...YOU WIN!
thank you sir
Had to sub. Great hack. My mk1 got stolen so now I'm buying the mk2. Do you know if this hack will work with it?
Gracias for the tip .
Your welcome!
Yeah, but the boss switches let you see which channel/bank you're on.
Cool vid, but this is not really a hack. This is the way the amp is intended to function with a proper 2 button footswitch. If you want to access all 8 channels of the MKII, your only option is the GA-FC, or a custom switch using the GA-FCs connector pinout.
Would this also work with the MKii?
I know its been 3 months. But, yes it will. Just got mine today and have a Hosa FSC-385 hooked to it.
@@brainlessbmw1898 Hey Courtney. I just got my Hosa FSC-385 today and upon testing it with my Katana 50, it doesn't seem like the A/B bank switch works :(
The footswitch has no problem switching between channels but it doesn't switch between my banks. Do you have any suggestions?
Brodie Kaufman did you figure it out?
@@PupsMcDougal Yes I did actually. The footswitch requires a 1/4" TRS cable to switch banks. Took some research to figure out. Most music shops sell TR cables, not TRS. I ordered a Hosa 1/4" TRS from amazon, but it still hasn't arrived yet :( but from what I've read this should do the trick.
Brodie Kaufman nice dude, thanks for the reply, been thinking about the 50w compared to the 100w. How loud is the 50w? You think it could hold it’s own at band practice or possibly even a bar setting?
Nice!! Thank you.
Happy to help!
I wonder if the Fishman Loudbox switch is similar (it looks identical). I don't live in the USA. How many black bands are on the 1/4" male connector at the end of the cable? I'm guessing, two? I can get it here in Bangkok for about 50 USD.
Thanks !!! Good to know ... 👍🎸🎼🤘
What kind of side. Arm is your favorite. And rifles, what’s your favorite, I favored Rugers especially the mini 14, and the Mark Iv
Hi. im getting a Katana Mk2 & Gafc.....i also got a new JC120........what are my wiring option to plug the Katana into the JC120 to use its stereo chorusing. Thank you. be well
Is there a switch that has indicator lights so you know what channel you are on?
Hi, sorry for my poor english, i'm from 🇦🇷, i wish to know if when you are in bank 1 chanell a and change from bank 1 to bank 2, inmediatly change the sound wich is on bank 1 chanell a to the sound on bank 2 chanell a. Thanks
How about an expression pedal option?
One person told me that the Bugera FSB 106 footswitch would do the same as the GA-FC ... could someone check it out?
I have the Marshall 90010 pedal and only change the channel while i hold the button, after release it goes back to the previous setting. any idea?
Hey Jake using this over the Helix? Really, even now?
Thanks!
Any little hacks for Boss Katana Air; "the wireless amp"?
How come nobody shows a wiring diagram for the Boss switch? Seems like one could build one for less than the selling price.
It is fairly simple.
www.instructables.com/Boss-FS-6-Clone-Build-your-own/
@@jaketanis3069 - I was hoping to see a wiring diagram for the GA-FC, but your hack does look pretty good.