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Experienced views on Boss Katana, now that it's been out a while?

Bassaga

Bassaga

Sep 4, 2015
444
1,186
Arizona
#1
I find plenty of "reviews" of people reading off the spec sheet, and a few conversations here that are mostly just arguing about wattage. Anybody actually played one enough by now to offer a solid rundown?

I've played one in store just enough to find out the straight tones are lovely. If anybody can comment on its volume, build quality, etc, I'm curious. Particularly wondering about the vast library of effects as well: did they really pump all those effects into a $600 unit, or are most of them cheap and unusable, in which case I might just as well grab a simpler amp and drop a pedal or two into the chain when I want to?

My hope is that everything's magical, and this first release was kinda like early Sire basses, amazing and inexpensive, intending to lead into higher prices once they've reached the demographic.
 
#3
the bass 2x10 combo?

i looked at one sitting next to a fender rumble 2x10 combo; the boss was the same size, almost as much money, less than half the watts and noticeably heavier
 
#4
Yeah, I really thought there'd be more than zero owners chiming in. Huh!

I hear you, walterw, and no piece of gear will appeal to everybody. I think this one might do it for me, though. I tried the Fender and found it pretty uninspiring. There are some shockingly passionate discussions around here on what the wattage rating of this amp does or doesn't mean, so I don't know what to think there.

I did play one briefly in store, so I know I like the basic tones a lot. There are just so many bells and whistles: if they're good bells and whistles, that'll be a nice bonus, but if they're not actually much use then I'd rather get something simpler.
 
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#5
I tried the 1 by 10 Katana. It looks like it has a learning curve to get more than just the basics out of it. I did like the straight sound with all effects off and all tone controls in neutral, and no amp simulations. Using a Squier PJ bass at GC, the Katana sounded better to my ears than the 1 by 10 Rumble. The Katana has a gazillion models and effects that I did not have anywhere near the time to dive into. The Katana, with all of its effects, is probably a great amp for someone into textural/ambient/shoegaze that is just starting out. If there was a BF sale, I would be quite open to buying the Katana 1 by 10.
 
#6
I have owned a Katana Bass 210 for some time. I love it. It is a tad heavy, but is plenty loud enough for all my gigs. I was running a GT1000 CORE into the Power Amp In, but decided to go another direction. I have a Broughton HPF>Empress Compressor>NUX MLD pre amp that I am now running straight in to the Katana. I have everything set flat on the 210, and my tone is glorious! I have a GA-FC coming, that I will program in my effects setting to. I use an Octaver, Envelope Filter, and some Reverb. I'll report back when I get these set up.
 

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