Talk me out of a Katana head

[DankStar]

Give me some negatives folks. They're giving these things away and the one I played sounded great.

What's the catch? Give it to me straight, no lube.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I don't have any negatives really, outside of "they are a pain in the ass to update software"

If you like to tinker in software they are a lot of fun and can sound really great.

I loved both of mine.

I tried them, liked them, then decided I wanted a more simple approach. So I sold them.

But I still think they're great.

 

[Mincer]

I have a combo, but I like the head just as much. I do wish my combo could use bluetooth for the software, but a laptop and USB cable isn't too bad. It sounds fantastic, I wouldn't hesitate to gig with it and sounds wonderful at any volume.

 

[DankStar]

Thanks gents - might have to pick up a b-stock for giggles

 

[Securb]

Roland has been making great guitar amps since the 70's I don't think there is anything to talk you out of.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Meh.

I mean, they're good for the price. And they sound particularly good when run through a good cab. But everything does, TBH.

I've never been impressed with the sounds. I guess the thing they've got going for them is that their power section is class AB like every other guitar amp out there, not D like the Spiders.

But other than that, I don't think the modeling is THAT impressive. They're built to a price point. But what they've got going for them is they're a decent product wit LOTS of YouTube presence.

How much is the head anyway? Wouldn't it be a more viable alternative to just get a Duncan Powerstage and the preamp of your choice? Maybe "viable" is not the right choice. But better-sounding, for sure.

 

[Animal]

How much is the head anyway? Wouldn't it be a more viable alternative to just get a Duncan Powerstage and the preamp of your choice? Maybe "viable" is not the right choice. But better-sounding, for sure.

Where I am (AUS), I've seen Katana heads on the second hand market for as little as $200-$250 USD. Which is crazy value considering they can be used as both a practice and gigging amp. There's no way you can build a Duncan Powerstage + Preamp rig for that kind of money here. At least 2-3 times the cost.

There's even a used Katana 50 combo on the market about 45 minute drive from my house for $150 USD. I paid more for a Peavey Rage 158 back in 2001.

 

[DankStar]

That’s probably the biggest drawback for me - don’t really have room for yet another somewhat large amp/head. I also wondered if the quality would diminish next to my current options. I was pretty impressed by what I heard. Returned “new” heads are like $320.

 

[Mincer]

At $200, it is a no brainer. It has a pretty robust effects selection, too. So it also can replace many conventional pedals if you use midi to switch things.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

If you buy a Katana head, the next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser, and your daughter's knocked up. I've seen it a hundred times.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

That’s probably the biggest drawback for me - don’t really have room for yet another somewhat large amp/head. I also wondered if the quality would diminish next to my current options. I was pretty impressed by what I heard. Returned “new” heads are like $320.

Well, if you can get it for cheap, I don't think it's too bad. I just think that they're VERY overhyped. I mean, don't get me wrong, they sound good if you run them through a good cabinet. But like I said, what doesn't?

But the uspide is it's versatile, it's loud, and it's not really big or heavy. It's about the size of one of the bigger lunchbox heads.

I mean, it is a good product. That's undeniable. I just don't think it's the be-all end-all that everyone who's raving about them think it is.

 

[Aceman]

Give me some negatives folks. They're giving these things away and the one I played sounded great.

What's the catch? Give it to me straight, no lube.

There is no speaker. I'd have thought you knew that, but I guess not.

I CAN connect the combos to a cab

I MUST connect the head to a cab.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

There is no speaker. I'd have thought you knew that, but I guess not.

I CAN connect the combos to a cab

I MUST connect the head to a cab.

It actually does have a tiny speaker that you can use without plugging the head to a cab.

 

[DankStar]

Yeah I love that it has a little speaker what a great idea IMO

 

[Aceman]

It actually does have a tiny speaker that you can use without plugging the head to a cab.

Yeah...No.

 

[PFDarkside]

Give me some negatives folks. They're giving these things away and the one I played sounded great.

What's the catch? Give it to me straight, no lube.

Where are they giving them away?

 

[JMP/HBE]

Banana katana ...:dance:

 

[Top-L]

Well, if you can get it for cheap, I don't think it's too bad. I just think that they're VERY overhyped. I mean, don't get me wrong, they sound good if you run them through a good cabinet. But like I said, what doesn't?

But the uspide is it's versatile, it's loud, and it's not really big or heavy. It's about the size of one of the bigger lunchbox heads.

I mean, it is a good product. That's undeniable. I just don't think it's the be-all end-all that everyone who's raving about them think it is.

I bought the original Katana Head and returned it after a few days.

I like all things Boss, I have a GT100 MFX pedalboard, which I use direct to my tube amps. The preamps in the GT100 are quite good, and its the same modeling tech the Katana head uses.

The Katana didn't sound as good as the GT100 into a JSX that I had at the time. Not even close.

Don't get me wrong, it sounded good. But it just wasn't as big or full sounding. Its a solid state amp and it doesnt do anything magical as you turn it up. There is a grainyness in the Katana that is always there and doesn't get smoothed out by the power amp.

The other problem was that the power attenuator just changes the range of the volume knob. Its a gimmick with zero value.

Its a good amp, but I would get the combo version and treat it for what it is. A grab and go practice/gigging amp that sounds good for cheap. The head.. doesnt make sense to me. If you are going with a head/cab setup might as well get something at the next level.

 

[DankStar]

Very interesting about the differences between it and the GT-100. In GC I even asked the guy if there was something boss made that would be a katana in a pedal.

The “power attenuator” is disturbing, I don’t like gimmicks.

I would also expect a modern digital head to at least accept a handful of IRs and if not it should have a stellar cab sim. While the katana 2 seems to have a lot of cab sim options what I’ve heard in clips is disappointing.

I like the idea of a used combo for goofing around if the price is right.

 

[Mincer]

The power attenuator works like it would on any amp. You can turn it down, and turn the master volume up and you get a power amp distortion simulation. It would have to be very loud for that to happen if it wasn't there.