When it comes to the BOSS Katana, choosing your weapon can be a dilemma. Picture the samurai warriors of ancient Japan, whose traditional katana swords give this amp series its name. How you arm yourself for the musical battle ahead rests on a thousand variables, from ambitions to budget. Any of the amps in the Katana range would be a credit to your backline. Perhaps you’ve slashed your shortlist down to the Katana-50 MkII or the Katana-100 MkII. But which model ticks your boxes as a musician?
Separated at Birth
At a glance, these second-generation Katana combos could be brothers separated at birth. Features in common include BOSS’s Tube Logic technology, custom 12-inch speaker, plus dynamic amp and effects models. These let modern players light it up in a studio or club.
Dig a little deeper. You’ll discover that the Katana-100 MkII offers a fistful of extra features that can take more advanced players to the next level. Here’s a rundown of seven reasons to make the 100 your next amp.
"Extra power—and the higher volume that comes with it—will pay you back when you start to play bigger venues."
100 Watts of Power
With its compact footprint and road-ready weight, the Katana-100 MkII isn’t much bigger than the 50. Nevertheless, it has twice the wattage of its kid brother. That extra power—and the higher volume that comes with it—will pay you back when you start to play bigger venues. Both MkII amps offer Power Control dials for sweet-spot distortion at low volumes. Still, the 100 is perfect for the two extremes of performance and practice.
Presence of Mind
Both boast full dashboards of rotary controls that include Gain, Volume, Master Volume, and three-band EQ. Indeed, Katana MkII amps let you shape your tone to an obsessive degree. But the Katana-100 MkII goes one better. It offers a Presence dial to add definition and a lively quality to the mid and high-frequency range. Roll it up, and you’ll notice heads start to turn.
Making Memories
With all those amp models and effects onboard the Katana MkII, you’ll soon turn into a mad scientist. Once you’ve cooked up your custom sounds, save them via the Tone Setting buttons. Players can save up to eight custom tones, then recall them at that night’s gig. The Katana-100 MkII has the same sounds as the 50 but provides twice the storage.
"With all those amp models and effects onboard the Katana MkII, you’ll soon turn into a mad scientist."
Let Your Feet Do the Talking
Both Katana MkII amps are easy to operate, featuring no-fuss dials to conjure tones with speed. When you choose the 100, you even get an Amp Type LED indicator that tells you at a glance which model you selected. Furthermore, a footswitch is a great way for guitarists to switch up settings without missing a beat.
Both Katana amps let your feet do the talking with an EXP Pedal jack. However, the 100 MkII adds a dedicated input for the BOSS GA-FC. This powerful six-button switcher puts you in control of effects, stored tones, and more, all without taking your eyes off the audience.
Line Out and Direct Recording
With 100-watts to back you up, the Katana-100 MkII has ample power to rehearse. Go head-to-head with a drummer or rattle the roof of small-to-medium venues. That said, when your band’s shows get bigger, you’ll be glad for the 100’s Line Out. The feature lets you connect to the club’s PA system for evenly distributed sound. Back in the studio, you can use that same Line Out to track direct to a recording device. No mics, no hassle, and all the great Katana tones.
Stay in the Loop
The Katana MkII amps have all the tones that some guitarists will ever need. There are 15 effects onboard and 60-plus more from the BOSS Tone Studio platform. Still, for players who won’t step onstage without their trusty pedalboard, the Katana-100 MkII’s Effects Loop is of great use. Using the simple Send/Return jacks, you can place external effects in the optimal spot in the signal chain. Enjoy your favorite tones along with coloring from the Katana’s preamp.
"Place external effects in the optimal spot in the signal chain to enjoy tones with coloring from the Katana’s preamp."
Stereo Expand for Multi-Amp Backlines
Check out the backlines of the world’s best guitar players. You’ll notice many take one amp’s signal then boost it using the power section of a second amp. By using the Katana-100 MkII’s Stereo Expand switch—along with the Line Out and Power Amp In sockets—you can do the same. Link your amp with another Katana-100 for immersive, venue-filling stereo sound.
Trust Your Ears and Fingers
There’s always more to learn about the Katana-100 MkII’s features. Still, nothing beats hearing an amp in action for yourself. The recommended route is to walk into a store and get your hands on the 100. In the meantime, whet your appetite with a video walkthrough of the Katana’s capabilities.
