Boss Katana Artist MK2

[janus776]

Hi everyone,
What about the Boss Katana Artist MK2?
Who has tried this amp and is this a good amp also for The Shadows Sound?
The Katana 50 MK2 seems to be a very good one. Is the Artist MK2 a better choice?
Thanks for your answer.
Regards
Janus776

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I have the Mk 1 Artist which is great mk 2 has extra features, 5 extra voices duel centric effect controls the main ones
Matthew youtu.be/4WZ-9LQU_as

[janus776]

Hello Matthew, thanks for your reply.
Is it a good amp for home use? And what about the sound?
Is there a comparaison with a Vox AC30 with Greenbacks or Blue Speakers?
Thanks for your answer
Regards
Janus 776

[Airhostess.]

Hi Janus,
Because my AC 30 with greenbacks, decided to commit amplicide and i can't get it fixed until after lockdown, I brought a Boss Katana 100 mk2 2/12 it has loads of super features and as yet I am still playing around with it. it does sound really good and if you find that sweet spot it's not far off the AC30 however not quite so warm sounding but still very,very good, if you want to take a listen, go find Alan Mckillop on the members sound file site he uses the mk2 50 and it does sound sweet that's why i brought one because of his sound files, albeit mines a 100 with 2 speakers the sound will be just the same, and the other reason I brought the 100 rather than the 50 is because it fits on my vox chrome stand hope this helps

Best wishes

Kay

[alanmckillop]

Hi, I’ve had all the Katana range at one time or another, Katana mk1 50w, Katana Artist mk1 100w and now the Katana mk2 100w in that order. I liked the Artist very much, but it was too heavy for me, so I downsized to a new model. The cabinet in the Artist, is more sturdy which contributes to its weight and the speaker is slightly different to the standard ones in the other models. If I was younger, I’d have the Artist but is it worth the extra cost over the 50 or 100w amps? I’d say no, but I’m not gigging now and if you are and money is not important, go for the Artist. IMHO, I think the sound is great and with the built in effects, you can make it sound how you like. Kurt Froberg of The Ryders, uses a mk1 100w model, but his settings are very different from mine but depending on your style of playing, the echo you use, you can tailor it to suit your style. HTH.

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Hi Janus, this was recorded on the Katana Artist youtu.be/cxw_KuoG1bk it as a power scale attenuator so perfect for playing at home I usually use the graphic EQ in Boss tone studio to boost the mids and cut the high and lows and run it on vintage cabinet setting
Matthew

[milko]

Hi Matthew,
Well done!! You’ve nailed that tone alright! And very nice playing too.
All the best, Milko.

[janus776]

Hi, Kay, Alan, Matthew and Milko,
Thanks for your reply.
I think I will by a Boss Katana Artist MK2.
Regards
Janus

[rogerbayliss]

The main difference the Artist sounds better than the normal Katana range is the WASA green back speaker BOSS developed for it which is like a Celestion greenback in many ways regarding sound. The cabinet is also better. However, should you use a Katana with a different speaker you can improve the sound. I saw comparison YouTube that highlighted this main difference and z friend of mine uses a Celestion blue in a separate cab and it sounded much better.

I had the Katana mk1 100 single speaker but have just sold that and bought the Katana mk2 100 head which I intend to use with a custom cab with Celestion blue.

Most people use the clean sound fir Shads, the new variation of clean leans towards a fender type clean. The Mk 2 also sounds brighter on uTube tests against the MK 1 but that maybe down to the improved speaker.

Personally I do not think the Artist to be worth the extra money (nearly twice the price). I would get a different speaker for the ordinary Katanas.

Also the 50 has no presence control and sounds a bit mid range, the 100 with extra eq is better imho

[rogerbayliss]

Incidently here's a video using my Katana MK1 100 watt single with Line Helix HX Stomp into return Jack of Katana. The echos are from Blue Baby , the HX provides Vox AC30 preamp tone with EQ and compression.

The new MK2 provides a separate power amp Jack for doing thus type of connection with pedals like HX Stomp.



Wonderful Land

[gruntfuttock]

Hi Janus. I agree with Roger re using a different speaker. I use the 100W head amp into Jensen Vintage NB 12” speaker and I’m very pleased with the result.

Hi Roger your sound file sounds very good!
Dave

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Thanks