Boss Katana-50 MkIIchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Commenters repeatedly emphasize the amp's low price relative to its sound quality and feature set, calling it a steal or underpriced. This value proposition is cited as a primary reason for purchase over pricier alternatives.

@kevinjackson4237

It sounds quite versatile. If only someone would mention that \"its a pro level amp at an entry level price\"!launch

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July 13, 2023

@garymorrison4139

I am about to buy one of these as a practice amp. I already own the 100 W MK ll. All things considered this amp is by far the best sounding most flexible and if anything underpriced unit ever made, The analog gain and 2 stage volume controls produce some of the best Metal tones money can buy. I am amazed!!launch

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July 18, 2022

@wesbresee

I just got mine and am playing in manual mode on the brown setting (red) with humbuckers (Les Paul) and I wonder if you have a bad instrument cable or if your guitar is improperly grounded because yours is making alot of noise. Mine is very quiet no matter which pickup(s) or volume/tone settings I use, and even with the master, gain, and volume cranked up pretty high on the amp it's waaaay quieter..I haven't dove in too deep yet, maybe mine has a noise reduction parameter set higher than yours..but straight out of the box that was one of the first things I noticed..hardly any hum, buzz, or unwanted noise at all..Very impressed with it especially with the price so looow, it's a steal!!launch

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February 10, 2022

@epasternak4206

I mean, seriously what Boss is offering here at this price is simply amazing, they out did themselves in my humble opinion. \nFantastic and this will inspire a beginner to play more as well a pro.launch

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January 22, 2022

Numerous long-time tube amp players describe the Katana-50 MkII as capturing surprising warmth and tube-like character despite being solid-state. Several say it behaves and sounds like a tube amp, prompting them to reconsider owning tube amps at all.

@catherinehowland352

I have 2 boss Katanas...do they sound like tube amps? Prob not. But their sound is unique and really good. They feel different to tube amps..but they have their own character. I got my first one because of price. But now .... if I was young , and buying my first amp...and Katanas and say ..Fender Blues Jnr or The Peavey valve amps were same price...I would choose the Katana. Steve 😄🎸H. Thanks , Tom , for your video.launch

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September 13, 2025

@larryhutch1

Great video❤. I bought a used one about 2 months ago because I'm tired of my tube Amp taking my back out. I tired several different lighter amps the Katana MKII50 was the winner on all 10 points. First it is a gain stage Amp not a modeling Amp. This and other factors make this Amp act and give more natural tube feel than any other solid state Amp that I have ever used. Of course the software from Boss Tone Central, and I use a Boss GT1 effects pedal makes this one of the most influential solid state amps in history.launch

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January 12, 2025

@arnolddealiii4259

I have the 100 combo MKII. Bought because my tube amps were to loud at gigs. This amp has been gigged 6 times this year and honestly live I’m getting better tones than ever. Why? It can be turned down to basically line out only and still has a great tone, so I significantly lowered my stage volume. I don’t use much effects but this covers me when I need something. I did away with the amps and pedal. I’m not saying it’s for everyone but I am simple, and the Katana is too. I like simple. This is just really an intelligent design that boss has knocked out of the park. Is it better than a tube amp? Probably not in an A/B test, but I argue it’s better than having a tube amp that isn’t turned up enough to push the amp a little.launch

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December 7, 2023

@garymorrison4139

I am about to buy one of these as a practice amp. I already own the 100 W MK ll. All things considered this amp is by far the best sounding most flexible and if anything underpriced unit ever made, The analog gain and 2 stage volume controls produce some of the best Metal tones money can buy. I am amazed!!launch

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July 18, 2022

Multiple owners successfully use the amp live, noting it has plenty of volume for band settings at moderate levels and can even fill a 100-seat room without a PA. Its low-wattage modes also let players turn stage volume way down while retaining tone.

@arnolddealiii4259

I have the 100 combo MKII. Bought because my tube amps were to loud at gigs. This amp has been gigged 6 times this year and honestly live I’m getting better tones than ever. Why? It can be turned down to basically line out only and still has a great tone, so I significantly lowered my stage volume. I don’t use much effects but this covers me when I need something. I did away with the amps and pedal. I’m not saying it’s for everyone but I am simple, and the Katana is too. I like simple. This is just really an intelligent design that boss has knocked out of the park. Is it better than a tube amp? Probably not in an A/B test, but I argue it’s better than having a tube amp that isn’t turned up enough to push the amp a little.launch

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December 7, 2023

@boomslayer66

Buy the 100 first of all. If you're a katana librarian user (usb phone or tablet) to the amp you have a host of pedals, and yes you can have a tuner, importing and xporting files is easy, hold channel button on the amp to save the patch. That to me is the great thing about this amp, the ease and how easy it is to explore all these great sounds at a good price, it keeps up well with my 6505 and is plenty loud.launch

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March 19, 2023

@James-eg3nf

I have the the 100-watt version and almost always use the 0.5 watt mode, even in live settings. It’s amazing how much power you DON’T need. The features and ease of operation are outstanding, making it the perfect gigging amp. I will say the acoustic mode is not that great compared to a dedicated acoustic amp, but it’s good enough in a pinch. Best amp purchase ever.launch

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May 28, 2021

@1mihayes

The is the most versatile amp on the market bar none! Absolutely amazing what you can do with it. You can even add a pre-amp modeling pedal and it accepts them like butter. There's hardly any limitations with this amp. The only reason I would get the 100 is for the effects loop. But this amp is fire. No problem gigging with it cause it's plenty loud and the voicings are amazing. You cannot go wrong with a Katana.launch

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January 5, 2021

Users highlight the wide range of amp voicings and built-in effects, calling it one of the most versatile amps on the market. Many appreciate the ability to explore countless sounds and patches via the software.

@bryannicholson7111

I keep hearing amazing things about this amp… I’ve been picking up basically every modeling amp, since they all seem to have dif strengths… got a VOX VT40X for $100 yesterday used. Bought a mustang gtx 100 a few months ago for my first amp (based on what ppl said was the ease of being able to connect a phone or iPad on the fly and fine tune everything)… but everyone I talk to keeps coming back to this amp… vox vtx series is great for classic rock tones (which makes sense - it’s Vox).. mustang has a ton of flexibility for beginners, to the point it was actually overwhelming at my stage, I got the Vox because all the reviews said it had the best built in presets… but everyone keeps saying get a Katana if you’re not put off by tech/using a computer and tone lab.. I work in tech, so that’s basically a plus for me. This is the 5th demo I’ve watched today, and one of the better ones that goes over the tone lab patches. Seems like a ton of flexibility without the overwhelming complexity, a great quality sound, at an affordable price point. Driving to pick one up now. Thanks for the vid/demo!launch

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August 29, 2023

@kevinjackson4237

It sounds quite versatile. If only someone would mention that \"its a pro level amp at an entry level price\"!launch

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July 13, 2023

@boomslayer66

Buy the 100 first of all. If you're a katana librarian user (usb phone or tablet) to the amp you have a host of pedals, and yes you can have a tuner, importing and xporting files is easy, hold channel button on the amp to save the patch. That to me is the great thing about this amp, the ease and how easy it is to explore all these great sounds at a good price, it keeps up well with my 6505 and is plenty loud.launch

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March 19, 2023

@epasternak4206

I mean, seriously what Boss is offering here at this price is simply amazing, they out did themselves in my humble opinion. \nFantastic and this will inspire a beginner to play more as well a pro.launch

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January 22, 2022

Some users find it easier to get a good tone quickly compared to amps like the Spider, and appreciate that they can simply sit and play without excessive tweaking.

@darthj_der7447

Ive had several modeling amps. My problem was always that by the time i flipped through 100~ amp models AND 100~ effects and dialed it all in, my practice time was over. 😆 this thing is AMAZING literally just sit down and play! At some other time you can tweak settings and all IF you want to. But just sit down and play. No 1k amp models. 🤣launch

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August 16, 2021

@youtubeuser4943

Literally just got mine today and watching videos on it to make sure I use it to its fullest possible capabilities. I'm loving this thing so far! Got it for a practice amp and I'm so glad I went with the Boss Katana over the Line 6 Spider 5 Mk IIlaunch

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May 25, 2021

@Force-IX

Mine arrived today and I'm very pleased. I've been using a Spider and it's just so much easier to dial in what I want with the Katana. Quality amp, I'd recommend to anyone on the fence.launch

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August 26, 2020

A couple of users note surprisingly low hum and noise straight out of the box, or after enabling the Noise Suppression feature in the software.

@oinkooink

Just got the 50 mkii. Is it pretty normal for the amp to make noise at the Lead and Brown amp types? Clean and Crunch stay pretty quiet but when you switch up to Lead and Brown there's a fair bit of noise coming from the speaker. I kind of thought a solid state amp would be pretty quiet. EDIT: I just found the Noise Suppression in the software. Eliminates all noise perfectly.launch

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May 3, 2023

@wesbresee

I just got mine and am playing in manual mode on the brown setting (red) with humbuckers (Les Paul) and I wonder if you have a bad instrument cable or if your guitar is improperly grounded because yours is making alot of noise. Mine is very quiet no matter which pickup(s) or volume/tone settings I use, and even with the master, gain, and volume cranked up pretty high on the amp it's waaaay quieter..I haven't dove in too deep yet, maybe mine has a noise reduction parameter set higher than yours..but straight out of the box that was one of the first things I noticed..hardly any hum, buzz, or unwanted noise at all..Very impressed with it especially with the price so looow, it's a steal!!launch

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February 10, 2022

At least one commenter, a gigging sound engineer, praises the amp's light weight of around 25 pounds, making it easy to carry in one trip along with gear.

@toddtech404

Sound engineer here that also gigs with a Kat 50. I've owned in my 35 yrs of playing so many amps. I have found the players that couldn't get good tones just haven't the editing skills. I have had to embrace tech. I always get compliments on my tone on my kat 50. I pick my 25 pound kat. One trip from the car. Guitar on my back. Cords in the open back. Micro pedal board in the guitars soft case pocket. One free hand to open doors. Totally a win.launch

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December 26, 2019