First launched in 2016, the BOSS Katana Series burst onto the scene, equipped with exceptional plug-and-play sounds, extreme versatility, and a rich feature set. Packed with a fistful of features, the BOSS Katana is the perfect contemporary example of how good modern players have it regarding our musical equipment. So, is the BOSS Katana the ideal amplifier for beginner guitarists? Get the scope of the whole line.
Thanks to advances in BOSS Tube Logic design, the gap between high-end audio equipment and what’s accessible to users all around the globe is the narrowest it’s ever been. Beginners no longer have to settle for sub-par equipment or spend deeply to achieve gig-worthy tones.
Since its release, the Katana Series has undergone several iterations, and many products currently boast the Katana moniker. So, let’s dig into why the BOSS Katana is the amp of choice for modern-day beginner guitarists.
"Katana amplifiers' user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make them easy for beginners to navigate and customize their settings."
Affordability, Versatility, Ease
First up is the line’s affordability. Katana amplifiers punch well above their weight, offering excellent value, as well as providing coveted tones and the feel of classic tube amplifiers alongside versatile features.
Next is its unrivaled versatility. The ability to craft an array of sounds, spanning all tastes and genres without needing extra equipment, is a Katana specialty. The Katana allows beginners to explore different amp models, effects, and tones to find their unique sound.
Finally, is the Katana’s ease of use. Katana amplifiers’ user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make them easy for beginners to navigate and customize their settings. Get a great sound from the start, ensuring you enjoy your practice and development. The Katana series can grow with beginners as they progress, offering advanced features and tone-shaping capabilities that cater to evolving playing styles.
Key Katana Amp Features
Controls and Effects
Simple controls make it easy to get a fantastic sound. While you can plug it in and use advanced editing features, using the onboard controls is just as satisfying. You can easily change amp types, use EQ controls, and create subtle effects. The layout makes it straightforward to create great sounds across various genres. Katana users can craft excellent tones from blues to metal and everything in between.
The Katana series also comes equipped with a variety of built-in effects, allowing beginners to experiment with different sounds without needing additional pedals.
"Perhaps the most powerful Katana feature is its Variable Power Control, which means players can practice anytime."
Variable Power Control
Perhaps the most powerful Katana feature is its Variable Power Control, which means players can practice anytime. Switch to low-level power settings for late night practice at home or crank it up to full power to cut through the mix at a gig. Thanks to BOSS Tube Logic design, the sound quality remains deep and resonant even at lower volumes. If you need it even quieter at home, a headphone jack is on the back of the amplifier for completely silent playing.
Connectivity
Eventually, users may want to capture their sounds as a recording. The Katana makes it easy to plug directly into a Mac or PC and record tones without expensive recording setups. There’s even an optional Bluetooth playback for jamming with your favorite tracks.
BOSS Tone Exchange
BOSS Tone Exchange is our free community patch-sharing platform where users can share sounds for their Katana. Search the collection of sounds from Katana users and easily upload them to your Katana amp.
BOSS Tone Studio is our proprietary editor software for the BOSS Katana. A powerful tool for customizing amp settings, effects, and presets. If you want to master the Katana, BOSS Tone Studio unlocks further customization opportunities and helps users understand more about sound creation, signal chain, and guitar effects.
"BOSS Tone Studio unlocks further customization opportunities and helps users understand more about sound creation, signal chain, and guitar effects."
What’s the Best Katana Amp for Beginners?
While each Katana model has its benefits, “best” is subjective to each use case and requirement. So, we’ve done our best to help highlight the key differences. This section will provide an overview of models in the Katana range that are ideal for beginners. If you want a more detailed explanation of the series, check out our BOSS Katana Buyers Guide.
Katana-50: The Most Popular Katana Amplifier
The Katana-50 is the entry-level Katana model and one of the most popular for beginners, providing an exceptional experience without the added features. It sounds just as great as other Katana amps in the range, has the same number of amp types and effects, and performs well above its price point.
The Katana-50 is the most compact size (not including the Mini or Air Amps) and weighs less than 12kg, perfect for taking anywhere. It’s also our most affordable. Still, it’s powerful enough for beginners looking to play at home and for small/medium size performances.
Katana-50 EX: Added Features for Extra Control
What’s the difference between the Katana-50 and the Katana-50 EX? In addition to a specially tuned cabinet design and a cosmetic upgrade to a more premium grill cloth, the latter has added functionality versus the Katana-50.
Unlike the Katana-50, the Katana-50 EX has GA-FC and GA-FC EX support that allows you to select Tone Setting memories, turn effects on and off, and more with our dedicated foot controllers. There’s also a line output for sending mix-ready tone to a house PA, plus the ability to link a second Katana amp with the Stereo Expand feature.
Katana-100: Loud Enough to Gig
If you want to keep up with a hard-hitting drummer, the Katana-100 is a strong choice for beginners and seasoned players alike. Not only does the Katana-100 give you 100 watts of pure class A/B power, but it also comes complete with additional tone-shaping tools and an FX loop for integrating additional pedals into your setup.
For a beginner, the editing features may feel overwhelming initially, but the Katana-100 may be a good choice for those looking to develop their playing skills, sound exploration, and tone creation.
Katana Head: Loud and Portable with Rockstar Appeal
While most Katana models are the more traditional combo style amplifier (where the amp and speaker come as one unit), the head is a standalone amplifier that you can connect to external speaker cabinets. A Katana Head also boasts a 5-inch speaker for home use.
In addition to a look more synonymous with stadium rock, it has portability benefits. A Katana Head could be a good choice if you need volume and plan to plug in at different locations. For example, many practice facilities or education establishments have speaker cabs to plug into.
"A Katana Head could be a good choice if you need volume and plan to plug in at different locations."
Resources for Further Learning
For the best experience, we recommend registering your BOSS Katana. You’ll benefit from product support, useful Katana content, and news about future Katana product updates and releases.
There are also amazing independent online Katana communities. We recommend joining the Katana owners’ group, where beginners can seek advice, share tips, and connect with other Katana users. Thanks to the popularity of the Katana, you’ll find hundreds of video tutorials and guides. You can effectively learn practically anything about using the BOSS Katana amplifier online.
- Explore the Katana Gen 3 Amplifier Series
