Boss Katana Bass ...

[wongahcheng]

Only had my 210 for a few days so I could be wrong but I haven’t figured out how to cycle between fx sub group/switch’s yet with the foot switch. I am really glad I got the GA-FC though as it is easy to switch between tone settings and whatever effect you have saved on fx1 & fx2, kick comp and drive on and off.
Sweetwater called me and has the Bluetooth thing in now as well. I find it easier to fiddle with different settings through the tone lab and save them than knobs on amp. Hopefully the Bluetooth thing lets me do similar adjustments wirelessly with my phon or iPad.

After watching some demos, I don't think the GA-FC is able to cycle between the effect sub grouping, but only on/off for the effects you have loaded on FX1/FX2. As for the BT-Dual, I just got it from the distributor office yesterday. I think it works better on tablet due to larger screen, but my smartphone will have to do for now. But it allows you to change the effects and parameters, and save everything as patches. The range isn't great either, I was a bit far (6-8ft) from the amp but still in the same room when I was using it as media player speaker and the audio was cutting off intermittently, but this could be the smartphone too perhaps?

 

[TrexiaNervosa]

I really want to hear the opinion of people (let's just ignore the weight) who had a chance to try both rumble studio 40 and katana 110. Which one was better and why? I am just going to use it in home to practice and jamming with friends. And because I do not have pedals (I just have Zoom B1xFour but you know it is not the best) which one is the winner for effects? Which one has better bluetooth connectivity and les problematic? I would be really happy to hear the idea of the people who experienced both!

 

[Cantstandsya]

I really want to hear the opinion of people (let's just ignore the weight) who had a chance to try both rumble studio 40 and katana 110. Which one was better and why? I am just going to use it in home to practice and jamming with friends. And because I do not have pedals (I just have Zoom B1xFour but you know it is not the best) which one is the winner for effects? Which one has better bluetooth connectivity and les problematic? I would be really happy to hear the idea of the people who experienced both!

I loved the tones I get get with the Rumble Studio 40 for home practice but if you’re going to do any kind of jamming with it the Katana 110 is way better IMO. It just sounds and feels more like a bass amp. The Rumble sounded like listening to bass through studio headphones to me. They’re both good but the Katana just sounds more natural to me and is way louder and punchier. The Bluetooth function is part of the reason I sent the Rumble back. It took forever to connect and then would disconnect randomly. Many times when it did this the amp would freeze up and none of the controls would work. I had to power cycle it to get everything back. I tried everything, including making sure the wi-fi was off. I was sent a replacement and it did the same thing. I finally just got a refund. I’ve had no problems with Bluetooth or anything else with the Katana. I did have them both at the same time so I was able to compare them directly. The only thing I wish the Katana had is a tuner. The Dual Cube XL Bass has one in the app. I don’t understand why they don’t have one in the Katana app. Besides that minor gripe, the Katana has been great. You just have to spend some time with it to dial in your tone and effects. One feature that was really helpful in the studio is the standby function. I was able to record in the control room with no sound coming from the speaker.

 

[henryjurstin13]

I've been through this thread, but still never saw anywhere that describes the different variations to expect with the amp voicings & the shape button. If I've missed it - could someone point me in the right direction?

 

[Johno Dunn]

In case anyone is interested,
For Sale - PRICE DROP Boss Bluetooth® Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor (BT-DUAL)

 

[Alfonz3]

Follow up post - couple of questions - and I did read through the manuals from Boss

1. Does anyone know the intended characteristics of the SHAPE button in the amplifier section? There are three variations or off. I can hear differences - and it appears that the variations perhaps change based on the selected amp type? There is no associated change in any other setting/eq to see what is going on - or what is the design intent at each setting. The manual seems quite vague about this - did I miss something?

Here is the description from the main manual: "Adds a different tonal character to the amp sound. Pressing the button toggles between the three types (green/red/orange). The effect is off when the indicator is dark."

The tone studio manual is silent on this.

I'm all for experimenting and choosing what sounds best to me - but it would be helpful know the design intent of each setting?

According to Sweetwater.com: "...a powerful Shape function toggles between three distinct tone characters — mid-scoop, bright, and extended range."

 

[Johno Dunn]

I've been through this thread, but still never saw anywhere that describes the different variations to expect with the amp voicings & the shape button. If I've missed it - could someone point me in the right direction?

IMHO
Vintage=a little tighter in the bass, mid forward, less treble.
Flat=flat, no eq but what you dial in.
Modern=scooped mids, bass and treble raised

 

[charliethomas]

Looked around for a Katana Bass fan club - couldn't find one but this thread is probably the closest.

Just want to mention how in love I am with my Katana 110 combo. I only use it at home as a practice amp, and I'm just amazed by the 1W power mode. I never even turn it on max power.

All the built-in effects keep me from pedal-buying GAS, every time

I have the BT-Dual bluetooth adapter, and I'm not sure why it wasn't built-in because it's probably my favorite feature. I turn the amp on, my tablet automatically connects, ready to change the fx settings through the app or stream audio to practice along with (and it sounds great thanks to the tweeter). Yeah, you can hook up a USB cable and do the same things, but I think the whole idea of "oh, you have attach a cable from the amp to your computer (or have the right usb adapter to connect to your phone) to do anything" is enough of a barrier to scare people away. There's dozens of built in effects, compressors, distortions, not just the 3/6 you're (cryptically) presented with on the amp! The bluetooth connectivity is seamless, and would be barrier-free if you didn't have to spend an extra $60 on a bluetooth module that the music store you bought the amp from probably doesn't have in stock.

That being said, this combo is hard to beat, especially for practice/bedroom settings. I always gravitate toward it because of the seamlessness and variety of tones it can achieve.

 

[rafitoprtx]

I bought the 2x10 and took it for a gig out of state. My first impressions:
Pros:
1 it sounds heavy, like a big amp and really good.
2 works great as a FRFR monitor for pedalboards ( I use it like that in the gig)
3 the effects are great!

Now The cons:
1 the tolex in it sucks when I took it out of the car for the gig it peel off in a little bit in the corner and he never happened with any amp I own, TC electronics and acoustic they're supposed to be cheaper. Send it to warranty, new one is in the way.
2 it's heavy, is not a deal breaker but I think it contributed to the tolex damage.

 

[ButchCleaver]

I just received the Boss Katana-210 today. It will be a holiday gift and it would normally have been hidden away by my wife, but the top and bottom of the box were wet due to some much-needed rain in this area. I opened it up to ensure no water made its way into the interior of the box and I ended up plugging it in and playing it for a bit. It seems like it will be a great amp for me and probably a bit overkill for a bit. I should have prefaced all of the above by saying that I am a long-time drummer and have just started learning bass. Since I sometimes record bands, I had previously acquired an Ampeg BA-115 and a Roland Super Cube 100. I decided to get the Katana-210 to help prevent (or at least slow) the pedal acquisition process. I'm looking forward to getting more time with the amp when I get to unwrap it

 

[gumtown]

My thought for today: is a Katana Bass a Swordfish ?

Righty Oh
I'm not giving up my day job to be a comedian ..OK..

 

[Tankdave]

I got myself a 210 a week or so ago and I'm more happy with it than not. It's going to stay put at home so the weight has not come into consideration but I would not want to be gigging with, it's way heavier than it needs to be.
The room I'm using it in is approx 20' x 15' and it's sound changes a lot depending on where you stand and I did find some upper-mid boxiness but I was able to dial it out with the Global-Eq.

The 3 Amp choices and 3 pre shapes are versatile, it's capable of going loud and the tweeter sounds fine, I think its a keeper because it can do clean sound, or you can dial that in at least.

Apart from the weight the other thing that could be better is some more "in depth" instructions, i.e. it does not make a good job of explaining what the "Blend" is actually doing?
Being able to set the Bass & Treble tone frequencies would be nice, but you do have the Global-Eq and you can set an EFX to hold a set of Eq's

I have hooked up the BT adapter and it plays tunes from my phone no problem and the amp control app is OK apart from the challenge to work out what the hell all the options are actually doing?

Would I recommend one if you still on the fence. "Yes" I would.

 

[frankie5string]

I bought the 210 and have had it for about a week. Originally was looking for a Roland CB120xl but even though one retailer said they could be ordered, it didn't seem like that was actually true - everyone else confirmed they have been discontinued for quite a while. So I went with the Kanata Bass 210.

I have now used it for a few society gigs with my bass guitars and my upright.
It's a big-sounding amp, and seems to have a lot of power on tap. The "Amplifier" section works brilliantly and having a separate master volume really gives you lots of colour options before you even delve into the drive/comp/fx slots. The whole "Tube Logic" thing works very well.

I roll right in with my cart, plug in and go.

 

[Nuage420]

 

[Nuage420]

BOSS - KATANA:GO | Personal Headphone Guitar Amplifier

 

[Johno Dunn]

I bought the 210 and have had it for about a week. Originally was looking for a Roland CB120xl but even though one retailer said they could be ordered, it didn't seem like that was actually true - everyone else confirmed they have been discontinued for quite a while. So I went with the Kanata Bass 210.

I have now used it for a few society gigs with my bass guitars and my upright.
It's a big-sounding amp, and seems to have a lot of power on tap. The "Amplifier" section works brilliantly and having a separate master volume really gives you lots of colour options before you even delve into the drive/comp/fx slots. The whole "Tube Logic" thing works very well.

I roll right in with my cart, plug in and go.

It sounds much bigger than it is…and heavier!

 

[rafitoprtx]

Who uses the Bluetooth adapter? Do you screw it to the amp?

 

[frankie5string]

Who uses the Bluetooth adapter? Do you screw it to the amp?

Yes.... You pull the plastic plug off, insert the adaptor and screw it down... Works perfectly.

 

[Nazrex]

Boss bass Katana 110, or Boss GT-1B??

I'm currently using an Ampeg Ba110v2...
With it I'm using a Markbass Compressore that I'm planning to keep cause I like it.
I also have a classic Boss DD3, as well as TC Ele Corona Chorus, Thunderstorm & Darkmatter pedals... I'm keeping the Darkmatter, and might keep the DD3 just cause its too classic to give up....
I also have the Behringer bass EQ, Tuner, and DI pedals.... which I might get rid of.

So, is tbe Katana essentially the same as the GT-1B but with an amp and speaker addded?

Why should I consider the Katana over the GT-1B?

Is it the same size as most other 110 combo's? I dont have much space, and my Ampeg just barely fits in the spot where I use it... and the GT-1B is very tempting since its small and includes an expression pedal... for which I'd have to add another $100'ish to the Katana...

 

[charliethomas]

Boss bass Katana 110, or Boss GT-1B??

I'm currently using an Ampeg Ba110v2...
With it I'm using a Markbass Compressore that I'm planning to keep cause I like it.
I also have a classic Boss DD3, as well as TC Ele Corona Chorus, Thunderstorm & Darkmatter pedals... I'm keeping the Darkmatter, and might keep the DD3 just cause its too classic to give up....
I also have the Behringer bass EQ, Tuner, and DI pedals.... which I might get rid of.

So, is tbe Katana essentially the same as the GT-1B but with an amp and speaker addded?

Why should I consider the Katana over the GT-1B?

Is it the same size as most other 110 combo's? I dont have much space, and my Ampeg just barely fits in the spot where I use it... and the GT-1B is very tempting since its small and includes an expression pedal... for which I'd have to add another $100'ish to the Katana...

I gotta say, I've never heard of the GT-1B multi effects pedal until your post just now. So take from this what you will.

If you have an amp/combo that you like, don't buy another unless you need another. A multi-fx has more versatility and portability - you can use it with ANY amp no matter what changes in the future - if you buy the Katana 110, however, your effects will 'forever' be stuck on that combo.

For me, the effects on the katana bass 110 are a nice bonus, and not the selling point (though they're certainly nice to have!). I can't tell you whether it's the same as what's on the fx pedal, but note that you only have access to 3 distortions, 3 compressors, and 6 effects on the katana combo out of the box; you have to hook up your phone/computer to the amp and use an app to edit the effects or choose different ones (add another $60 for the bluetooth adapter as well, which I think is necessary). If you're fine with getting the bluetooth adapter and using your phone, you do have a lot of boss fx to choose from, and there's lots of nice things in there - wouldn't surprise me if they were the same as what's on the GT-1B, but I'd expect the pedal to have a more direct way to access the fx and presets. Katana bass has presets on it, but then your physical knobs don't match what's actually set on the preset, and I really don't like that for an amp, so I never use the presets myself haha. There's also no screen or labeled fx on the katana, so you kinda have to memorize things by color. Also note that there's no tuner or metronome or looper on the katana.

What I really like the katana for personally is the ability to easily stream music (given you have the bluetooth adapter) to practice along with, and the ability to quickly turn on an effect or two that I programmed in without having to fuss with pedals - sometimes I just want a quick reverb or chorus or octave without fiddling with a pedal or software. With the tweeter, music you stream is reproduced excellently.

But in general I'll reiterate... Buy a katana bass combo if you need a bass combo and the effects are nice to have, don't buy it FOR the effects imo