Boss Katana vs Tube Amp: Can the Katana Keep Up?

Boss Katana vs Tube Amp: Does the Katana Keep up?

Today, I am comparing my Boss Katana 100 MK2 guitar amplifier up against a similarly priced tube/valve amplifier. This test will cover how each amplifier sounds in the mix cutting a track, as well as isolated sound samples.

The amplifiers in this video:
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Each of these amplifiers sells for roughly the same price and I wanted to keep this test fair in terms of the price of the tube amplifier.

The Katana is a Solid State amplifier with lots of digital effects and the tube amp features a set of EL84 and 12AX7 Tubes. I will be using a mix of the channels on both amplifiers and no other effects other than a little bit of Wah.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - About this Video
1:13 - Boss Katana Jam Track
3:42 - Tube Amp Jam Track
6:25 - Clean Tones Compared
7:43 - Crunch Tones Compared
8:24 - Lead Tones Compared
9:35 - Final Thoughts

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[ec]

Something I learned from another YouTuber (wish I could remember who so I could give them credit): when using higher gain tones on the Katana, enable the parametric EQ and set the high cut to 6.3 kHz. This tames the sizzle and sounds great. Now you can crank the amp without the ice pick highs.

[kcapkcans]

and both of these amps come in left handed versions?

[xeres]

I do prefer the Katana here. The Tube amp sounded like it had a damp towel over it. Normally I like that, but not in this case.

[martrich]

Shane, this is a great comparison video, well thought out and really helpful for many of us. Thanks man, keep up the good work!

[Tmidiman]

Great demo, as always Shane! Two items for those who think the Katana has too many highs. 1. Use the tone controls, you know, like that treble knob. It actually works. 2. Find the Sneaky Amps. Just load the live sets and try 20 additional amps. There are much better amps than the 5 on the front of the Katana, better cleans, better crunch, etc. They are free and already in the amp, so why not check them out?!

I liked the sounds on the tube amp, but Katana adds more flexibility, like going from a Fender clean to a Mesa Boogie Dual Rec high gain in one button press.

[yaguitar]

It's one of those age old arguments. They both serve different people for different purposes. The Katana is a perfect compromise for home practice, recording and gigging. It is also a great pedal platform. A tube amp is just a different beast to be tamed. You can love both 😉

[mikeslominsky]

I feel like things aren't "dialed in" as much as they could be.
That being said, you are an awesome person for putting yourself out there and doing these videos.

[Noscrap]

Got a crazy thing on these amps . It’s called an equalizer .

[NisseOhlsen]

Always great reviews and playing. Thanks a bunch. I bought the Artist 5W upon your recommendation.

[petersuddath]

No surprise that the Katana sounded soooo good! I own a 100 watt model w/12 inch speaker. I’ve stopped playing my tube amps, the katana does it all for me now!!!

[JS-nfsn]

Great video. Both sound great. Killer track. You've always been a great player, but you have really gotten to the next level (not that you were lacking before). Cheers brother. Thanks for the great work on your channel.

[allan-shephard]

The tube amp lets the solo notes 'sing' a lot more. Very full and warm. I've been toying with selling my 100w high gain JCM900 (blisteringly loud) for a Katana. But this makes me want to keep the tube amp. Maybe I'll get a secondhand Katana and have both. Haha. Thanks Shane. Great vid once again. 😁👍

[RobertBakerGuitar]

The Katana stacked up nicely for sure! The edge still goes to the Tube amp imo. I've found with all amps like the Katana there's always this highend sizzle on the notes with distortion that I don't love.

[rickyshoard]

Great vid man, awesome comparison. I was worried about this vid. 2 weeks ago I sold my katana 100 and got the Artist tweed tone. But watching I made the right choice in my opinion. Haven’t stopped playing my Artist.

[cjpritchard]

Great review, thanks. I ended up selling my Blues Junior and getting a Fender GTX 50, which I chose over the Katana. Yes, the valve amp sounded great but I couldn't get past the power consumption. I don't gig but I play a lot at home. Now I can walk out of the room and not have to worry about turning the amp off.

[SeQFreQ]

Nicely done, cheers! Agreed on your comments regarding the differences. I had been using a Blackstar ID 40 @ rehearsal as my Deluxe Reverb is stuck in Melbourne, but recently grabbed a Joyo Jta-05 5W tube amp for home, plenty loud enough for rehearsal and to me, sounds and feels waaay better.

[jeffvargo]

The Artist has a tube compressed warmth ...only achieved preamp and power amp tubes.... I just love the sound of tube amps.

[frankdeitsch]

I'm 68 and until 2 years ago played strictly tube amps since 1960. I have Marshalls, Fenders, Bugeras and more. All I will say is since I got my Katana they're all sitting in a room gathering dust unused, and nothing in this video changed my mind about my decision to stick with my Katana. ✌🤘😎

[lfigueroa]

I enjoy very much you're videos, You always bring useful information. Thanks!!

[vladimirpavlovic]

After years of following you because of some cool videos, your choice of topics in the last few months made me a very regular viewer! :) Well done. And I am actually not that much 'into the blues' by the way. But I guess now I am 'in the blues' !