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NAD:Boss Katana 110

M

mbell75

May 23, 2016
2,172
2,881
#1
Ive owned several combo amps including the Fender Rumble 40 and 500, the Ampeg BA-110 and RB-110, the Blackstar Unity 500 and some older Fender and Peavey combo amps, this Boss is the best of them all. It has an A/B power section and sounds better and closer to a tube amp than any of the Class D amps Ive owned or played. It even makes my mini Jazz bass sound awesome, I had tossed it aside because I thought it needed new pickups. I just didnt like the sound with the Ampeg I guess.

Really love the versatility in sounds between the flat, vintage and modern settings as well as the ability to dial in different mid frequencies, compressors and more with the green-yellow-orange settings and unlike most other amps with onboard effects, these actually sound really good and are very useable. Not surprising since its Boss and they know just a little about effects. Just like their stellar Katana guitar amps, they basically thew dozens of their pedals into this which is awesome. Killer amp.

Boss1.jpg
Boss2.jpg
 
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#2
mbell75 said:
Ive owned several combo amps including the Fender Rumble 40 and 500, the Ampeg BA-110 and RB-110, the Blackstar Unity 500 and some older Fender and Peavey combo amps, this Boss is the best of them all. It has an A/B power section and sounds better and closer to a tube amp than any of the Class D amps Ive owned or played. It even makes my mini Jazz bass sound awesome, I had tossed it aside because I thought it needed new pickups. I just didnt like the sound with the Ampeg I guess.

Really love the versatility in sounds between the flat, vintage and modern settings as well as the ability to dial in different mid frequencies, compressors and more with the green-yellow-orange settings and unlike most other amps with onboard effects, these actually sound really good and are very useable. Not surprising since its Boss and they know just a little about effects. Just like their stellar Katana guitar amps, they basically thew dozens of their pedals into this which is awesome. Killer amp.

View attachment 4696527 View attachment 4696529
Click to expand...

That’s a nice looking duo. How do you find it compares to the Fender Rumble 40 which is also Class AB and a single
10”.

The Rumble 40 has been my grab and go for writing sessions for ages but the Katana has me intrigued with the built in effects.
 
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#3
Plastalmonus said:
That’s a nice looking duo. How do you find it compares to the Fender Rumble 40 which is also Class AB and a single
10”.

The Rumble 40 has been my grab and go for writing sessions for ages but the Katana has me intrigued with the built in effects.
Click to expand...

Its considerably better than the Rumble 40 IMO, and a lot louder. The 1 watt setting is perfect for the bedroom too. All the Rumble amps are Class D, not A/B.
 
#4
mbell75 said:
Its considerably better than the Rumble 40 IMO, and a lot louder. The 1 watt setting is perfect for the bedroom too. All the Rumble amps are Class D, not A/B.
Click to expand...

Actually the Rumble 15, 25, and 40 are Class AB. The 100, 200, and 500 are Class D.

I remember when I tried them all out the 40 just stood out for me. Wasn’t impressed with the 100 at all.

I may check out the Katana soon.
 
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#6
Plastalmonus said:
Actually the Rumble 15, 25, and 40 are Class AB. The 100, 200, and 500 are Class D.

I remember when I tried them all out the 40 just stood out for me. Wasn’t impressed with the 100 at all.

I may check out the Katana soon.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I wasn't aware Fender made any A/B bass amp in the Rumble line and the websites have it wrong then I guess. From Zzzounds...

"Packing a solid Class D punch and plenty of power, the Fender Rumble 40 is the perfect compact bass amp for the musician on the go."

But yes, definitely worth checking out!
 
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#7
Plastalmonus said:
That’s a nice looking duo. How do you find it compares to the Fender Rumble 40 which is also Class AB and a single
10”.

The Rumble 40 has been my grab and go for writing sessions for ages but the Katana has me intrigued with the built in effects.
Click to expand...

Another thing I forgot that I should point out is the weight. You mentioned the Rumble 40 as your "grab and go", and its only 18 pounds. The Katana 110 weighs over twice as much, its 37 pounds. One of the downsides of an A/B power section.
 
#11
mexicanyella said:
I’m looking forward to hearing more about these as the NAD posts trickle in. Your initial impressions seem promising...happy NAD!
Click to expand...
I’m set to receive mine on Monday afternoon, hoping the Katana 110 is the best (for me) home amp.
I don’t care for the effects, but I do love the 1W setting and the blend knob. I also own the Katana 100 1x12 for guitar so I know exactly what I’m getting.
 
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#14
I'm into it. I have the Katana guitar amp. What I find puzzling is Boss' decision to make the combo lineup a 110 and a 210. I instantly think that the 110 isn't enough speaker and won't be loud enough to play with acoustic drums in a rock ensemble. And I look at the 210 and think it'l be heavier than I'd like. Where's the 112?? That's the sweet spot for me.

Does the 110 combo have a speaker out for an extension cab? I think probably no, and that's a shame. I just feel like they've missed the sweet spot for combos. They've made a practice amp and a club gig amp.

Am I wrong?
 
#15
scottfeldstein said:
I'm into it. I have the Katana guitar amp. What I find puzzling is Boss' decision to make the combo lineup a 110 and a 210. I instantly think that the 110 isn't enough speaker and won't be loud enough to play with acoustic drums in a rock ensemble. And I look at the 210 and think it'l be heavier than I'd like. Where's the 112?? That's the sweet spot for me.

Does the 110 combo have a speaker out for an extension cab? I think probably no, and that's a shame. I just feel like they've missed the sweet spot for combos. They've made a practice amp and a club gig amp.

Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

The 110 is not just a practice amp IMO. I havent used it in a band setting but it can get LOUD. I wont get into the whole A/B vs Class D thing again, but this is not like a Rumble 40 or an Ampeg RB 1x10. Ive had both those amps and they are basically practice amps. The Katana is way louder than either and has way more of a punch. Its also louder than the Rumble 100 Ive played multiple times. No speaker out but I dont think you'll need one unless you are playing a larger venue and you'd probably have a sound guy for that anyways, it has a balanced line out.

Here is a review from a guy who said he plays in a loud rock band and he didnt need his volume past 10 o clock. I believe it. Even the 1 watt setting will get loud if you get on the gain, volume and get the master opened up.

Boss Katana-110 Bass 1 x 10-inch 60-watt Combo Amp Reviews | Sweetwater
 
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#16
mbell75 said:
Ive owned several combo amps including the Fender Rumble 40 and 500, the Ampeg BA-110 and RB-110, the Blackstar Unity 500 and some older Fender and Peavey combo amps, this Boss is the best of them all. It has an A/B power section and sounds better and closer to a tube amp than any of the Class D amps Ive owned or played. It even makes my mini Jazz bass sound awesome, I had tossed it aside because I thought it needed new pickups. I just didnt like the sound with the Ampeg I guess.

Really love the versatility in sounds between the flat, vintage and modern settings as well as the ability to dial in different mid frequencies, compressors and more with the green-yellow-orange settings and unlike most other amps with onboard effects, these actually sound really good and are very useable. Not surprising since its Boss and they know just a little about effects. Just like their stellar Katana guitar amps, they basically thew dozens of their pedals into this which is awesome. Killer amp.

View attachment 4696527 View attachment 4696529
Click to expand...
I havent been able to compare my 210 side by side with other 210 combos but from what I remember playing and hearing other 210 combos in music stores and then playing my 210 at home is that the Katana 210 bass amp has a vibe and feel and punch I didnt hear or experience with the other combos.With the Katana bass amps all you need is the amp.Every effect,compression etc is already there.I think Boss has a great amp here and players need to forget all their preconceived notions about power ratings,class d vs ab,what should and shouldnt sound good etc and give these amps an honest listen.I came from using a Mesa 400+ and the Katana 210 is the 1st small combo ive heard that captures some of that tube vibe.
 
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#17
scottfeldstein said:
I'm into it. I have the Katana guitar amp. What I find puzzling is Boss' decision to make the combo lineup a 110 and a 210. I instantly think that the 110 isn't enough speaker and won't be loud enough to play with acoustic drums in a rock ensemble. And I look at the 210 and think it'l be heavier than I'd like. Where's the 112?? That's the sweet spot for me.

Does the 110 combo have a speaker out for an extension cab? I think probably no, and that's a shame. I just feel like they've missed the sweet spot for combos. They've made a practice amp and a club gig amp.

Am I wrong?
Click to expand...
They probably had designs/material/equipment ready for 10” drivers and wanted to release it ASAP so they did. I have a strong suspicion some 12” driver-equipped combos are in the works in the near future. And of course some standalone heads. That’s how they get ya!
 

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