Review of the Boss Katana-Artist MkII amplifier. Where to buy it?

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Boss Katana-Artist MkII amplifier. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar amplifiers so you can compare.

  • Improved sound and exclusive functions
  • Eight tone setting memory locations
  • Analogue Class-AB amplifier section
  • Five types of amplifiers with five variants
  • 3-Way contour and global EQ switch with three settings
  • Switchable solo function including volume control
  • Revised BOSS Tone Studio Editor software for customizing sounds with more than 60 BOSS effects
  • New editor functions, including pre and post EQs, dedicated pedal FX and more power control for overdriven amplifier sounds and dynamic response at low volumes
  • Speaker simulation on the line, USB and phones / recording outputs
  • External control via GA-FC foot controller, foot switch, expression pedal and MIDI
  • Power: 100 watts
  • Equipped with: 1 x 12″ WAZA custom loudspeaker
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, FX / Delay, Reverb, Presence, Master, Solo
  • Switches: Tone Shape, Power Control, Cab Resonance, Expand
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Effects Loop Send & Return: 2 x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power amp input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Aux input: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Solo Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • Channel / Bank Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Phones / Rec Out: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • USB

review boss-katana-artist-mkii

This amplifier usually has a price around 555.00 €

Now that we’ve seen the features of this amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII watch these related videos to learn more.

Boss Katana-Artist MkII - Sound Demo (no talking)

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Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:

Comment:

I use this amp at home, so sometimes at high volume and sometimes low volume. I initially wanted to stick with a tube amp, but I was concerned with the necessary high playing volume to get the best out of a tube amp.

I chose the Artist version essentially for its front panel access. The top panel would have been difficult to access when practising.

Pros:
+ Front panel
+ Possibility to play at any volumes without sacrificing tone
+ Endless possibilities
+ Ability to nail your tones and effects and store it in 8 memory channels so you can be consistent with your playing tones
+ If 8 channels isn’t enough, you can store them in your computer in limitless patches
+ So glad Boss didn’t try to emulate famous amps in the dials
+ Price! With that amount of possibilities.

Cons:
– Not the prettiest amp around, but simple enough
– Too many adjustments to choose from. This is a pro and a con. On the negative side, you will either ever use only 10% of the amp’s capabilities or you will spend your life fiddling with the adjustments as opposed to making the best out of a particular amp tone.

Comment:

Considering all the built-in effects and diversity of tones, it’s just a really great amp. It takes a little reading up before you can use all of the features and I’d really recommend getting the pedal as well. I’ve mainly used this one with a Harley Benton CST with P90’s and I have to say, with all dials at 12 o’clock, this can sound pretty darn incredible.

At this price range, I kind of feel like I do have to compare it to the cheaper tube amps though. I just went to a store that had an H&K Tubemeister Deluxe 20 ready for a test, and in the end, none of the tones on this Katana can compare to the juicy crunch of the Tubemeister. Yes, you’ll have to get your own effects, but I decided to get the H&K anyway and sell this one.

All in all, I think Boss has made amazing progress in the field of solid-state amps, but it still can’t compare to tube crunch, and I’ll still pay a few bucks extra for that.

Boss Katana-Artist MkII vs Boss Katana 100 MKII

The amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII is usually 246 € more expensive than Boss Katana 100 MKII.

Boss Katana-Artist MkII

Boss Katana 100 MKII
  • Improved sound and exclusive functions
  • Eight tone setting memory locations
  • Analogue Class-AB amplifier section
  • Five types of amplifiers with five variants
  • 3-Way contour and global EQ switch with three settings
  • Switchable solo function including volume control
  • Revised BOSS Tone Studio Editor software for customizing sounds with more than 60 BOSS effects
  • New editor functions, including pre and post EQs, dedicated pedal FX and more power control for overdriven amplifier sounds and dynamic response at low volumes
  • Speaker simulation on the line, USB and phones / recording outputs
  • External control via GA-FC foot controller, foot switch, expression pedal and MIDI
  • Power: 100 watts
  • Equipped with: 1 x 12″ WAZA custom loudspeaker
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, FX / Delay, Reverb, Presence, Master, Solo
  • Switches: Tone Shape, Power Control, Cab Resonance, Expand
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Effects Loop Send & Return: 2 x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power amp input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Aux input: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Solo Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • Channel / Bank Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Phones / Rec Out: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • USB
  • Power: 100W
  • Equipped with 12″ custom speakers
  • 5 Amp types: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown & Acoustic
  • 5 Independent effects: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay and Reverb – 3 of them simultaneously
  • 4 Memory slots for amplifiers and effects settings plus panel setting
  • Power Amp input for the use of multi-effect devices
  • Power Control (0.5 / 50/100 watts) for fully turned amp sound at any volume
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, Delay / FX, Reverb, Master & Power Control, Sounds
  • Updated Boss Tone Studio sound customisation software with over 60 different Boss effects, channel and global EQs, customisable routing, and more (free on Bosstonecentral.com)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 530 x 248 x 484 mm
  • Weight: 14.8 kg
  • Suitable footswitch: Boss GA-FC Art.431181 (not included)
  • Suitable dust cover: Art.438090 (not included)

And then a video of the amplifier Boss Katana 100 MKII

MKII: Boss Katana 100 Watt Amp MK2 Overview | Video Demo

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Boss Katana 100 MKII review

Boss Katana-Artist MkII vs Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion

The amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII is usually 356 € more expensive than Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion.

Boss Katana-Artist MkII

Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion
  • Improved sound and exclusive functions
  • Eight tone setting memory locations
  • Analogue Class-AB amplifier section
  • Five types of amplifiers with five variants
  • 3-Way contour and global EQ switch with three settings
  • Switchable solo function including volume control
  • Revised BOSS Tone Studio Editor software for customizing sounds with more than 60 BOSS effects
  • New editor functions, including pre and post EQs, dedicated pedal FX and more power control for overdriven amplifier sounds and dynamic response at low volumes
  • Speaker simulation on the line, USB and phones / recording outputs
  • External control via GA-FC foot controller, foot switch, expression pedal and MIDI
  • Power: 100 watts
  • Equipped with: 1 x 12″ WAZA custom loudspeaker
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, FX / Delay, Reverb, Presence, Master, Solo
  • Switches: Tone Shape, Power Control, Cab Resonance, Expand
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Effects Loop Send & Return: 2 x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power amp input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Aux input: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Solo Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • Channel / Bank Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Phones / Rec Out: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • USB
  • 1 Channel
  • Power: Switchable 15 W / 1 W
  • Preamp tubes: 3x ECC83 / 12AX7
  • Power amp tubes: 2x EL84
  • Equipped with: 12″ Celestion Seventy speakers
  • Controls: Gain, Volume, Tone, Bass, Middle, Treble, Reverb
  • Switch: Power attenuator 15 W / 1 W
  • Effects: Reverb
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Send / Return effect: 6.3 mm jack
  • Foot switch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • 6.3 mm jack speaker output: 8 – 16 Ohms (if an external speaker is connected, the internal one is deactivated)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 427 x 435 x 235 mm
  • Weight: 11.5 kg

And then a video of the amplifier Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion

Are they any good? - HARLEY BENTON TUBE 15 REVIEW

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion review

Boss Katana-Artist MkII vs Vox AC15 C1

The amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII is usually 40 € more expensive than Vox AC15 C1, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Boss Katana-Artist MkII

Vox AC15 C1
  • Improved sound and exclusive functions
  • Eight tone setting memory locations
  • Analogue Class-AB amplifier section
  • Five types of amplifiers with five variants
  • 3-Way contour and global EQ switch with three settings
  • Switchable solo function including volume control
  • Revised BOSS Tone Studio Editor software for customizing sounds with more than 60 BOSS effects
  • New editor functions, including pre and post EQs, dedicated pedal FX and more power control for overdriven amplifier sounds and dynamic response at low volumes
  • Speaker simulation on the line, USB and phones / recording outputs
  • External control via GA-FC foot controller, foot switch, expression pedal and MIDI
  • Power: 100 watts
  • Equipped with: 1 x 12″ WAZA custom loudspeaker
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, FX / Delay, Reverb, Presence, Master, Solo
  • Switches: Tone Shape, Power Control, Cab Resonance, Expand
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Effects Loop Send & Return: 2 x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power amp input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Aux input: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Solo Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • Channel / Bank Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Phones / Rec Out: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • USB
  • All-tube
  • Power: 15 Watt
  • 12″ Celestion G12M Greenback Speaker
  • 3x 12AX7 (ECC83) Preamp, 2 x EL84 Power amp
  • Inputs: Input Normal, Top Boost, Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo (Speed and Depth), Standby, Power switch, Tone Cut Regulator
  • Back: 2x Speaker outputs
  • Impedance Switch (8 or 16 Ohm)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 602 x 265 x 456 mm
  • Weight: 22 kg
  • Optional footswitch: Art.198735 (not included)
  • Optional suitable case: Art.317592 (not included)

And then a video of the amplifier Vox AC15 C1

Vox AC15 Review & Demo (AC15c1)

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Vox AC15 C1 review

Boss Katana-Artist MkII vs Marshall DSL40CR

The amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII is usually 14 € cheaper than Marshall DSL40CR, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Boss Katana-Artist MkII

Marshall DSL40CR
  • Improved sound and exclusive functions
  • Eight tone setting memory locations
  • Analogue Class-AB amplifier section
  • Five types of amplifiers with five variants
  • 3-Way contour and global EQ switch with three settings
  • Switchable solo function including volume control
  • Revised BOSS Tone Studio Editor software for customizing sounds with more than 60 BOSS effects
  • New editor functions, including pre and post EQs, dedicated pedal FX and more power control for overdriven amplifier sounds and dynamic response at low volumes
  • Speaker simulation on the line, USB and phones / recording outputs
  • External control via GA-FC foot controller, foot switch, expression pedal and MIDI
  • Power: 100 watts
  • Equipped with: 1 x 12″ WAZA custom loudspeaker
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, FX / Delay, Reverb, Presence, Master, Solo
  • Switches: Tone Shape, Power Control, Cab Resonance, Expand
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Effects Loop Send & Return: 2 x 6.3 mm jack
  • Line output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power amp input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Aux input: 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • Solo Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • Channel / Bank Footswitch connector: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Phones / Rec Out: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • USB
  • Reissue series – authentic DSL sound
  • Power: 40W
  • 2 footswitchable channels with classic gain and ultra gain
  • Assembly: 12″ Celestion V Type loudspeaker
  • Preamp tubes: 4 x ECC83
  • Power tubes: 2 x EL34
  • Independent volume and gain controls for both channels
  • Clean and Crunch Modes in the Classic Gain Channel
  • Lead 1 and Lead 2 modes in the Ultra Gain channel
  • Classic sound control with bass, middle and treble
  • Presence control
  • Tone-shift circuit
  • Variable resonance control
  • Pentode- / triode switch
  • Digital reverb independent for each channel
  • Speaker outputs: 2 x 16 ohms, 1 x 8 ohms and 1 x 16 ohms
  • Includes double footswitch (channel selection and reverb on / off)

And then a video of the amplifier Marshall DSL40CR

Marshall DSL40CR Demo and Review..is this the best amp at this price???

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Marshall DSL40CR review

Where to buy this amplifier Boss Katana-Artist MkII

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

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Hi! I'm Jaime Echagüe, a musician and an authentic fan of musical instruments. With this blog I want to give general information about musical instruments in an easy, direct and honest way. I hope you enjoy my website and that you find it very useful.

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