Boss Katana ($270) vs Fractal Audio FM3 ($1100) #jazzguitar

Which tone do you prefer and is the price difference justified? It is fun how close you can get to my sound with a piece of gear that is only 25% the price of my main amp.

Do you think I should change?

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My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.

The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.

My Gear:

[JackChessa]

They just sound like they are eq’d a little differently

[ohtravo]

The fractal does have a really nice sounds without the effects

[jstnR]

I got a katana mk2 100w 1x12 a couple months ago, wasnt aware the gen 3 was soon to be released, im so impressed i put my mk2 up for sale and got a gen3 2x12 comin this week. Its all about spending a lil time in the tone studio, many many great tones from this very affordable transistor amp

[kriskor]

I like katana more in this example but I think fractal can sound just as good if tweaked differently

[jessewest]

For jazz the fractal may be over kill.

But if you play an assortment of music. Fractal all day.

[bassplayer]

In this comparison, I would say the Katana with the verb dialed down a bit would suit my personal tastes. That said- I’ve seen players like Dweezil do deep dives with fractal systems.

[STRAT]

The real question: Is the slight difference in sound between the two worth $800?

[startrekmike]

You are going to get a lot of answers in favor of the Katana because it is inexpensive, accessible, and a lot of folks own either own one or own something in a very similar price bracket. There is always a desire to root for the underdog and especially when folks pride gets involved.

The other thing to consider. A statistically relevant number of Katana owners have probably never owned anything else. It might be their first amp or they might be coming from something even cheaper (the practically disposable practice amps that come in guitar start packs for example). This video won't mean much to them. They are not necessarily going to have the hands-on, practical experience with higher end gear that can only come from actually owning such stuff and using it often and long enough to understand its real benefits and drawbacks.

So what sounds better between the two examples? Does it even matter? To be blunt. I think comparing a pretty simple jazz sound doesn't really mean anything. It doesn't really bring us to any useful conclusion. What would be more useful is actually doing a full overview of both and carefully outlining the features that each bring to the table.

[Lastoko]

I've Katana 100 mk2 amp and also have GX 100 processor I've got Gx later but still using my Katana its tones are just brillant. Please use the Katana and set some tones and share with us so we can use your clean tones 😄 thanks

[GaryBradleymusic]

Katana is brighter but with less compression. A slight adjustment would make them identical. I love the clean on my Katana but not the digital edge on the overdrive so it's being sold for a Marshall DSL40CR.

[josephurbani]

Had a fender twin...donated it to a church years ago...then got a jc40...nice amp...but too heavy for gigs....went to music store checked out the 100w katana about 3yrs now...what a dream....beautiful tube like sound...I take it to all my gigs...only 35lbs instead of 80...also have the ga-fc pedal...I use it all I use...worth the investment...enjoy jens

[IshanAditya]

I know people will say the Fractal doesn't sound better by a thousand dollars, but you either get the sound you want or you don't - and once you do, you don't care if it costs a thousand dollars more or ten thousand. Whatever its price happens to be, that's the sound you want.
Th Warmth of that Fractal tone is what I imagine a valve tone aficionado would appreciate.

[billwilenski]

The fractal is the better one even though it doesn’t sound the same. I’ve got a black star and they sound great, but I got to get a fractal.

[BiffTannen]

They all sound great. Katana, with FX, personally.

[elrincondelaguitarra]

I have a couple of questions:
1) How's the EQ section/gain (volume) structure setup?
2) Is it the 1x12 or 2x12 katana?
Fractal sounds a bit better... but not that much difference TBH.

[rbophonic]

Give me 5 minutes with either and I can dial in a great tone to fit the mix. We are so spoiled!

[dannyheath]

Katana is by far the best bang for the buck, especially if you get the artist model. My tube amps collect dust now.

[adamferguson]

Boss Katana sounds much better, and you could just turn down the Katana's tone/treble, and use a decent Boss compressor pedal, to get the slightly mellower/muted sound of the Fractal if you wanted.

[ROCKNROLLMODS]

I'm actually in my car and my speakers are all blown to shit
But it sounds to me like the fractal had some fuzz accompanying the sound.

[justinbowen]

I have a boss katana $500 stage amp and it suites my needs perfectly fine for not being a touring musician. If you tour and fear damaging your amp, then the fractal is for sure the way to go. I can get just about any sound out of my boss amp that i want.