Which Katana is “best” for home use?

Rocker

I am impressed by the Boss Katana but a bit confused by online reviewers about the 50 or the 100 for home use only.  I will no be gigging so high sound levels are never going to be needed.  For this reason I am leaning towards the 50 but would value any pointers from players who have experience with the Katana.

BluesLover

For home use the Boss Katana Air EX might be worth considering. Not cheap but the wireless aspect is a bonus.

ICBM

My experience is that the 100 sounds much better than the 50. The head version with the internal 5” speaker is the best - it doesn’t sound amazing by itself, but is useful for low volume practice. Through a good cabinet it sounds miles better than the combos.

Disclaimer - I detest the 50. The first version is literally one of the worst amps I've ever heard - the second isn't so bad, but I didn't actually like it. I can't really say I love the 100 either, but it's much better.

snowblind

I always like this version of the Katana.

rlw

You could also look at the Nextone Stage which is switchable to .5 watts, 20 and 40 watts.  On the lead channel with the master volume, you can get some very good cranked sounds at pretty low levels.    Not so many effects but a superb core tone IMHO.

I use mine at home in preference to a Supro Blues King 10 and a TMDR.

andy_k

100 head would be my choice, looks fine in a front room. 1 Watt setting with built in speaker is perfect for practice.
100 combo comes a close second- if you can get away with it.
Both benefit from the use of the 6 way footswitch, gives access to 8 channels ( patches ) plus FX switching and panel settings.
I have both, and get a lot more use out of the head version, no need for a cab.
The 50, loses a lot of the options, but I have never tried one  to compare.

crunchman

There are much better sounding amps than the 50W Katana.  That's one of my big gripes with Andertons (if Lee Anderton read this forum).  If you go to try a guitar there, they give you a 50W Katana to try it with.  They are horrible sounding amps.

BenSirAmos

I love my Katana 50. I gig with it in a three piece band and people keep saying how much they love my sound - if it needs to be louder, it can have a mic.

I can't see any reason to get the 100 for home use - the 50 will  be fine and if you do get out to gig (you never know) or just a louder rehearsal, it will serve you well (and it isn't too heavy). 

fretmeister

I have the Gen 3 version of the 50.

It is adequate. Nothing more. It has been relegated to my bedroom for when I want to watch TV not picked by my daughters.

Get one of the little Vox combos instead.

rlw

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/boss-nextone-stage

I'll say it again....................

https://reverb.com/uk/marketplace?query=Boss+Nextone+Stage+2-Channel+40-Watt+1x12"+Modeling+Guitar+Combo&product_type=amps

Plectrum

crunchman said:

There are much better sounding amps than the 50W Katana.  That's one of my big gripes with Andertons (if Lee Anderton read this forum).  If you go to try a guitar there, they give you a 50W Katana to try it with.  They are horrible sounding amps.

I can't understand why people use them either. I don't think they sound good at all. And their claimed power ratings are BS. A  "100 watt" Katana has a maximum power draw of 77 watts, about the same as a Marshall CODE 50. which is about 2/3rds the price and actually sounds something like the amps it's supposed to be modelling.

Rocker

Yesterday I tried out a Katana rev 3 100 with 2 * 12 speakers and was impressed to say the least.  Using one of the shop Telecasters, I got several useful sounds in the ten minutes I was in the shop.  My question is: there are two models - a single 12" speaker model and the 2 * 12" that I tried.  Basically how much do I lose if I opt for the model with the single 12" speaker?
Thanks again....

ICBM

Not sure since I’ve never played the 2x12” version, but with other amps where I’ve heard both versions I think it makes a noticeable difference even at low home volume… a 2x12” just sounds better. If you can afford it, it fits in your house and you don’t plan to carry it anywhere where the weight matters, I would usually prefer one. Some people will say it’s too big an amp and you don’t need that much power, but that’s equally true of anything over about 1W for home use, so it’s irrelevant.

skunkwerx

In terms of loudness I used to play a 100w artist head thru a 2x12 in a bedroom. With paper thin walls.

Doesnt matter whether you set it to 0.5w or 100w, the master volume tapers from below tv volumes upward. Obviously more control on the 0.5w. 

The tone thing at varying volumes, only you can be the judge really.

But compared to the Orange 15 Rocker head I have now thru a 1x12 on 0.5w, the Katana could go quieter, basically tapering down gradually whereas the rocker goes from off to its minimum volume (which is still bedroom friendly). 

Dunno if that helps at all. 

HAL9000

crunchman said:

There are much better sounding amps than the 50W Katana.  That's one of my big gripes with Andertons (if Lee Anderton read this forum).  If you go to try a guitar there, they give you a 50W Katana to try it with.  They are horrible sounding amps.

^ This. I was on a Strat shopping expedition a couple of years back and was given a 50W Katana for trying out with. All I could hear was the amp getting in the way. To be fair they did swap it for a Mesa California when I moaned about it.

Rocker

A scary but interesting “thing” happened when I went to try out the Katana in the shop. The shop assistant gave me a Telecaster which was in tune. I genuinely felt like I had never played a guitar in my life. Complete blank for about two minutes, I could not think of anything to play. Usually I don’t suffer from nerves or stage fright but this felt like that. A couple of cowboy chords and minor pentatonic scales seemed to open up my brain. I usually play the Day Tripper riff to get the feel of the guitar but even that simply didn’t feel right. I never felt connected to the guitar but despite these difficulties, I came away very impressed with the amplifier. My own Stinger is a one trick pony, it does what it does very well but I now feel the need for more and varied guitar tones. 

It looks odd on that the 2 * 12” model is the one I will buy. Sooner than later.