Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

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Willy25

New member
I own a peavey vypyr vip 3 amp and love the distortion on the 6505 but the other amps I don’t like them. The cleans are not good, can’t access the noise gate ( set by default ) and limited functions adjusting the effects. Also to much low end coming out from the amp with the bass knob set at 0 odd no?

I also use amplitube 3 with interface and studio monitors. But for some reason I don’t like tweaking on the computer, and tweaking the gain knob on the interface ( Scarlett) I don’t understand does dB meters. I like the sound that comes out of an amp and plug&play. Am I the only one? I thing is the sound simulating a cab being mic in a room?

My budget is $500. I was about to purchase a boss katana but it looks like you have to use you computer to adjust all the effects :/ anyone owns one? And what about tube amps or solid states + pedals is it worth? Any recommendations? Thank you
 
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Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

Right now I have four tube amps, a helix floor + powercab plus, a full pedalboard and i don't plan on getting rid of any of it. They all have a place. It means I have the tools I need no matter the situation.

Having said all that, I've heard great things about the Katanas and a lot of people I know are using them. I'd say they're definitely worth the look.
 
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Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

Still use Tube Amps for the Bassman scoop, Plexi ballz, and Vox chimey mids.

but Katana is pretty much best price/performance series on the market IMO -Cant go wrong

For low cost tube -I'd go USED Vox AC15, or a low cost Blackstar (Can't believe I'm typing this)
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

NegativeEase said:
Still use Tube Amps for the Bassman scoop, Plexi ballz, and Vox chimey mids.

but Katana is pretty much best price/performance series on the market IMO -Cant go wrong

For low cost tube -I'd go USED Vox AC15, or a low cost Blackstar (Can't believe I'm typing this)
Click to expand...

The Blackstar amps kill. No shame in them.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

I have a client who used a Blackstar at home for practice and played live through 4 Marshall double stacks (overkill). He bought a Katana 50 for practice and sold the Blackstar and was so impressed he bought the 100 watt head (running through a Marshall cab) and a Katana 100 with two speakers for his live shows. This guy thought Marshall ruled for the last 35 years... He changed his mind.

Another client who plays four nights a week in a classic rock band was using two of the old Line 6 100 watt tube amps setup in stereo through Marshall cabs recently switched to two Katana 100 watt heads. He praises the Katanas as having all the sounds he needed, and he doesn't have to worry about getting them tubed once a year.

I like the Katanas a lot, but since my gigging days are over I'll stick with my little Marshall and Fender combos.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

I plug a POD XT into an old Super Reverb, so I’m no help.

For me anymore, it doesn’t really matter. I could use a Katana or a 5150 and get all the tones I need. I’d argue that the 5150 probably sounds a little better, but I’d be glad to have the modeler if I wanted some sparkly clean or bluesy tones.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

The Katana is a great amp in terms of tone, I have the 100 watt version but I mostly play it at home. I found that because each channel shares a single eq and volume control balancing all the levels etc involves setting up a channel as a preset, changing to the next channel and adjusting it and then saving that as a preset. I found the tone and level balance shifts as you crank up the master from home levels to live levels. The onboard controls work pretty well to do course adjustment to the presets but for any deep editing you really need a usb connected to a laptop or computer. I’m pretty sure some folks would be fine with this or bringing a small laptop to a gig, but for me i prefer the way a traditional tube amp responds and functions at live volumes.

So for me I use the katana to get great tones at home but use my Mesa TC50 for rehearsal and live as it sounds great and has independent controls for each channel. For the price though the Katana is excellent, the brown channel especially is very good for rock/metal and it also sounds great going from USB into GarageBand for recording.

So no the Katana is not over rated, but for me I prefer a good tube amp - though a good tube amp has much higher cost of admission and maintenance.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

a few friends have a katana, the artist and 100w combos, they are cool for what they are but i wont be giving up my old deluxe reverb any time soon
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

jeremy said:
a few friends have a katana, the artist and 100w combos, they are cool for what they are but i wont be giving up my old deluxe reverb any time soon
Click to expand...

Considering the Deluxe Reverb by most measures is the best sub 50 Watt amp ever made, I'd say that's a fair statement.

It's not called the Desert Island amp for nothin'
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

I've got a 100w Marshall TSL and a brand new Katana 100w head on its way to me. So I'll get back to you... soon I hope.

I've read nothing but stellar reviews on the Katana, and how it so closely mimics the tube feel and interactions.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

I have:

2 modeling amps
2 solid state amps
1 Hybrid tube/solid state
3 tube amps - 15, 1/5/18, and 50/100 watts
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

While I don't think they're overrated...they do the things that the people who buy them want pretty well...but I twisted knobs on one for ten good minutes trying to get a similar sound to the AC-15 beside it out of it, and it wasn't happening at all.

No matter how the VOX was set, it slayed the Katana.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

guitfiddle said:
While I don't think they're overrated...they do the things that the people who buy them want pretty well...but I twisted knobs on one for ten good minutes trying to get a similar sound to the AC-15 beside it out of it, and it wasn't happening at all.

No matter how the VOX was set, it slayed the Katana.
Click to expand...

Well, not surprised nor should this be a detraction IMO -comparing the Kantana to any of the 3 greatest amps ever made isn't really exactly fair -as it's not rated as the greatest amp ever or even in the top 20 -it's a great amp and an incredible value.

Plus the response and tone of a Vox is a hard one to mimic IMO -it's more different in electrical design that any of the other great tube amps.

What about other classic tones? did you try any of those? curious.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

NegativeEase said:
Well, not surprised nor should this be a detraction IMO -comparing the Kantana to any of the 3 greatest amps ever made isn't really exactly fair -as it's not rated as the greatest amp ever or even in the top 20 -it's a great amp and an incredible value.

Plus the response and tone of a Vox is a hard one to mimic IMO -it's more different in electrical design that any of the other great tube amps.

What about other classic tones? did you try any of those? curious.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't ever think of it as a detraction, but the vox just sounded good any way it was set, and the Katana just never got the depth of tone. I tried all the cleans tone all the way into break up. Naturally the Katana goes into distortion territory much better, but if I chose the right pedal to feed to the vox, it would still win, to me, and for my needs/likes.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

guitfiddle said:
I wouldn't ever think of it as a detraction, but the vox just sounded good any way it was set, and the Katana just never got the depth of tone. I tried all the cleans tone all the way into break up. Naturally the Katana goes into distortion territory much better, but if I chose the right pedal to feed to the vox, it would still win, to me, and for my needs/likes.
Click to expand...

clean tones were punchy and tight I imagine? All the demos I heard are impressive -granted that's different that the response when playing it.
 
Re: Are you guys still using tube amps? Are katana amps overrated?

My 2 cents worth.

Never heard the (in person) the new Katana.
I heard a local band a month or so ago, and the guitar player used a Roland Blues Cube.
Great player, and the amps sounded decent too.

ALL my amps are valve driven (tuub), and i prefer what they bring to the sonic table.

Disclaimer : there are some seriously awesome SS amps out there today.
 
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