Hey, everybody. I have a question. I want to buy myself a guitar amp. It's no special, just to play guitar with good sound.
I've asked some people, and I realized that it would be better to buy a Boss Katana amp.
And I'm thinking of getting a Boss Katana or some kind of analogue, maybe? Any thoughts on here?
Or should I consider cheaper options?
I read a couple more articles and found one very useful boss katana or tube amp. I got an answer to my question.
Originally Posted by: shawn.mayer.caHey, everybody. I have a question. I want to buy myself a guitar amp. It's no special, just to play guitar with good sound.
I've asked some people, and I realized that it would be better to buy a Boss Katana amp.
And I'm thinking of getting a Boss Katana or some kind of analogue, maybe? Any thoughts on here?
Or should I consider cheaper options?
It may also depend on the type of music you prefer to play too. The Boss Katana is a good all around amp. More than enough to cover what you'd need but people also have a sound in mind. A Katana has lots of sounds to mess around with so it would be a good amp and a pretty decent price. Some folks have a specific kinda of sound in mind they're aiming for and that pushes to a more specific amp choice and an 'all around/cover the bases' like the Katana. If you want an 'all around', a good choice.
Hi Shawn
just a different perspective to consider on an amp purchase...
One more pizza for the road!
I was really close to getting a Vox Valvetronix VT20x or VT40x. I narrowed it down to the Katana 50 Mk ii or the Vox. I think the Vox with the tube preamp and the cache' of it being a Vox was very appealing to me, kind of the "sexy" choice. In the end I went with the Katana because it seems maybe a little more versatile and because there are so many supportive resources in various internet communities.
The truth is that there are so many good inexpensive choices out there for those of us at a beginner or even intermediate level that it's hard to go wrong! I like our pawn shop style too.
Good luck with whatever you choose! Sounds like you are going Katana.
Dave...
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
One of the age old questions for which only you can decide the proper answer...
My opinion:
If you want to make the long term investment, understanding that you will have to add more gear to your rig as you go forward, a good tube amp is the holy grail.
If you're not sure where you want to go yet, and are willing to accept that you may discard an amp in the journey, then a versatile amp like a Boss Katana (50 Mk I'm assuming?) might be a good choice as it allows you to experiment a bit without buying a load of pedals and what not. But, it could be considered "disposable".
I've been enjoying my Fender GTX100 these days.
spb1122, I get what you mean about thinking of the Katana as "disposable" but I am so far from reaching the level where I might feel like my amp is holding me back that I can't imagine outgrowing it for a very long time. But, I have so little experience with amps that it is very possible that I may try a few amps along the way and fall in love with one. I would probably keep the Katana even if I buy another one though. If having one amp is good, isn't having two even better?
We're lucky to have so many great choices at reasonable prices.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
I'll find out what all the Katana magic is all about in less than a week I hope Dave. I ordered one a few days ago and am waiting for it to come it. I use my Roland micro cube every day but one down side to the little 3 watter is that on high gain stuff with my phone plugged into the aux it starts to struggle. At $329 where I am, the MK II is a no brainer - thats like a couple of pedals.
Looking forward to trying it out with my phone plugged into it.
One more pizza for the road!
Originally Posted by: William MGI'll find out what all the Katana magic is all about in less than a week I hope Dave. I ordered one a few days ago and am waiting for it to come it. I use my Roland micro cube every day but one down side to the little 3 watter is that on high gain stuff with my phone plugged into the aux it starts to struggle. At $329 where I am, the MK II is a no brainer - thats like a couple of pedals.
Looking forward to trying it out with my phone plugged into it.
I think you'll be very pleased with it William, the bass player in my band bought one and I was very impressed with the amp, I personally prefer the spark because of the jam along features but tone wise the katana is amazing for the price.
Originally Posted by: William MGI'll find out what all the Katana magic is all about in less than a week
One thing to note - I was surprised how much noise and hum I was getting even on clean at low volume. I was able to tame the noise using the noise suppressor in Boss Tone Studio. I don't know if this varies with the particular guitar and cable, but I have a Pacifica, which I know is part of your arsenal.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
I am hoping fuzz, but after reading what Dave posted....
Dave, thanks for the heads up. I had not heard this mentioned by the various YouTube reviewers but once pointed out by yourself I found this video.
Is this the hum you are having with yours?
One more pizza for the road!
Originally Posted by: William MGI am hoping fuzz, but after reading what Dave posted....
Dave, thanks for the heads up. I had not heard this mentioned by the various YouTube reviewers but once pointed out by yourself I found this video.
Is this the hum you are having with yours?
That is it, but the Noise Suppressor in the Boss Tone Studio absolutely takes care of it. It is a mild inconvenience to have to apply it with the software but it absolutely takes care of it. See here for a demo of the NS.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
That sounds like the power supply isn't earthed properly to me, have you tried using a different power cable to see if it helps?
I don't think it is a grounding issue. If you look for it there are quite a few posts about this "feature" of the Katana. I knew of the issue and the solution before I bought mine, and was prepared to send it back if the NS didn't completely eliminate the noise. I don't know if this noise is there for every unit or if it is better or worse with different guitars and cables, but it is apparently a fairly common little annoyance. In my experience it was very easy to correct with Tone Studio.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
Originally Posted by: DavesGuitarJourneyI don't think it is a grounding issue. If you look for it there are quite a few posts about this "feature" of the Katana. I knew of the issue and the solution before I bought mine, and was prepared to send it back if the NS didn't completely eliminate the noise. I don't know if this noise is there for every unit or if it is better or worse with different guitars and cables, but it is apparently a fairly common little annoyance. In my experience it was very easy to correct with Tone Studio.
Totally agree Dave. I have a few amps and always turn back to my Katana Mk11 !! I play 90% on the clean channel and love it. However, if I had the choice again, I would had paid the extra few ££££ to go for the 100w, just to have the looper connection.
I would say that for general practice, jamming with others / small band, and perhaps even playing live iwth a small band (with the amp being reinforced through the PA).
Sure, the Boss Katana or the Vox digital modelling amps are ideal and amazing value for money.
If you develop into a recording artists, then, sure, if you can get either of the above to sound awesome, then still a great option.
Although i would say that recording artists, as well as producers and engineers get very precise in terms of the sound they are looking for, so a more exact choice of amp may eventually be desirable, although, please do not get worried about that, as some big artists have still released big albums after recording their guitar parts using an amp simulator app on a computer.
For the money, both the VOX and BOSS appear to offer amazing value for money
especially the combi amps that have some form of feature that allows the user presets to be tailored especially for the user.
Originally Posted by: DavesGuitarJourneyI don't think it is a grounding issue. If you look for it there are quite a few posts about this "feature" of the Katana. I knew of the issue and the solution before I bought mine, and was prepared to send it back if the NS didn't completely eliminate the noise. I don't know if this noise is there for every unit or if it is better or worse with different guitars and cables, but it is apparently a fairly common little annoyance. In my experience it was very easy to correct with Tone Studio.
I believe that some of the Boss Katana's have compressors built in.
Compressors limit dynamic range (make the overall sound more conistent in volume, by making the loud sounds quieter and the quiet sounds louder).
When used, the compressor will raise the noise floor, the noise floor is the low level noise you get from the electronics (or even emulated electronics).
If the noise is unbareable, you can always get yourself a noise gate pedal, which will
shut off the singal when below a certain amplitude level.
can be used subtly too.
Originally Posted by: jusroc777If the noise is unbareable, you can always get yourself a noise gate pedal, which will
shut off the singal when below a certain amplitude level.
can be used subtly too.
I think you are spot-on with your remarks re: compressor. The NS feature in Tone Studio allows you to set thresholds in a very granular fashion, probably similar to what you would get from a NG pedal.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
Originally Posted by: andrew.colombHowever, if I had the choice again, I would had paid the extra few ££££ to go for the 100w, just to have the looper connection.
Yeah, I will probably reach a point where I will wish I had that looper capability. Well, probably is strong given where I am at this point. Possibly would be more accurate. I bought the 50 with the idea in the back of my mind that if I reach a level where I start to feel constrained then I'll probably be ready to upgrade anyway but no reason to spend the extra money right now.
It takes as long as it takes unless you quit - then it takes forever and you will never get there.
Originally Posted by: DavesGuitarJourneyYeah, I will probably reach a point where I will wish I had that looper capability. Well, probably is strong given where I am at this point. Possibly would be more accurate.
Relevant to your post above, something to consider sharing my thoughts on worth of loopers Dave. I think you'd find benefit in considering at least a basic inexpensive looper pedal as your next prioritised spend. They're a must have learning tool once you become cognizant of their potential usefulness, & not only IMV&E (watch that second hotlink). I have had both of mine (the Kokko & NUX clones) pretty much since the first few months after starting out.
Of the two types, the simpler mini pedal type e.g. Ditto Looper or Kokko SOS (Ditto Looper clone) or more comprehensively featured e.g. Boss RC-3 Loop Station or NUX Loop Core (RC-3 based clone of same functionality - either at a under ½ of the Ditto or BOSS' respective price points, I find the latter the friendlier more ergonomic interface and thus [u]easier to use[/u] as well as most powerful and thus effective.
Relevant to the thread itself, clarifying a potential misunderstanding, but AFAIA the NEW Katana MK II 100's don't feature an intrinsic hardware "looper" Dave, but a (bypass) effect loop, quite different -or have I misunderstood something in their evolved feature set here? (ref the hotlink -yes, original model 2018 vid, but same feature).
