Should I buy a Boss Katana?

[ThurberMingus]

I want an amp for apartment levels/headphones and this seems easier than booting up the computer and using amp sims. I know a few people here have them, so let's get some opinions.

Good for pedals?
Good for practice sessions (looking at the 50 watter)?
Good for at home and with headphones?
Good for running stereo with my big boy amp?
Good for Bass VI? (I have pretty reasonable expectations on that front)
Good direct out for to use with my 4 track?

Should I do it? American Musical's payment plan makes it seem almost stupid not to get one.

[reckon luck]

I've had the head for a month or two now (but no decent cab to use it with ). I like it. It does work nicely with pedals and boss has already released some good firmware updates.

One thing to note is that the thing is extremely limited without using the editor. The Katana doesn't have an lcd for on-board menu diving like the Mustang series, so you quite literally can't access 90% of its features without a computer hooked up or presets saved.

[ThurberMingus]

Duly noted. What kind of stuff is tucked in there? The built in effect stuff? I'm not too concerned about all that, but I suppose it's a nice bonus for when my pedalboard is at the practice space.

[UglyCasanova]

Yes to all those things. The lows are especially nice for such a small amp. I even practice playing bass through it. It might be the most bang-for-yer-buck piece if gear I've even purchased.

Edit: I have the 50W too.

[PeteeBee]

relevant to my situation as well. Seems like the maximum amp for minimum monies. I also don't plan on using the deep edits at all, just getting a decent clean tone and ideally a edge of breakup tone.

[Paul_C]

relevant to my situation as well. Seems like the maximum amp for minimum monies. I also don't plan on using the deep edits at all, just getting a decent clean tone and ideally a edge of breakup tone.

The edge of breakup sound was what I was looking for too, something I'd not been able to find in a solid state amp.

I now have a Katana 50 which I'm very pleased with

[ThurberMingus]

Alright, I did it! I'll report back when it shows up.

[reckon luck]

Make sure to take a look at the community-made FxFloorboard editor: http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index. ... =20625.100

The Katana amps are based on Boss's GT-100 platform, and as such they have a lot more going on under the hood than what Boss Tone Studio gives access to: many more amp models, hidden parameters, use multiple mods at once, total control over fx ordering, etc..

[ThurberMingus]

Update: got it, so far love it. The clean channel with the built in boost is great for that edge of breakup tone. Takes all the pedals I've tried pretty well. Fuck sounds great, Cat Tail is passable, Fuzz Factory sounds alright as well.

Petee I think you would get a lot of mileage out of the KT50. Im going to try and use it next band practice and if it holds up I might just sell my Jackson.

[UglyCasanova]

I recommend throwing a more advanced EQ in an available FX slot on the amp and tweak while playing. It can really make a difference, especially with dirt. Glad you're liking it so far!

[rfurtkamp]

If I didn't have two GT-100 platform things, I'd grab one for sure.

Heck of a deal for what it is, and you can program the moon and the stars if you get your mind set on it.

[frigid midget]

If I didn't already have a small ss combo for home use, I'd be all over the Katana 50 too. Not having old school straight forward controls does bother me a bit, but considering the features and specs, it seems like a crazy bang for the buck indeed.

[ThurberMingus]

It's super straightforward until you open up the computer editor, which is optional imo. I'm probably going to give the comp editor a rip this weekend when I have a day off.

But so far I'm loving this thing. It likes all my pedals just fine and doesn't fart out on dense loops - something my iPad and computer amp-simulators ways do. I barely move off the clean channel, but it is fun to pop over to the crunch and fire off some classic buttrock riffs. I didn't know my Jazzmaster had that much capacity to rock!

If you're thinking about one just get it. When I was doing preliminary tests I had my Fuck sitting on top of it when it donned on me: "huh, that pedal costs as much as that amp".

[PeteeBee]

Question: How does it work using the effects in a normal way, like how I would use a pedal? Do I need to buy that Roland GA-FC? For instance I'd like to use a compressor and a tremolo in the Katana. Seems like these are things that I need to use the computer to make happen, which I'm fine doing, but I can't figure out how it will all actually work. Mine should be here in two days, so I can figure it out then I guess.

[resincum]

anyone have the 7w? wondering if it's loud enough for home jammin'