Katana Revisited...
- Thread starter Sp8ctre
- Start date
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
If you're playing any kind of hard rock/metal the 50 ain't keeping up, this I know from experience. The power section runs out of headroom pretty quickly at high volume and gets really harsh along with a ton of squishy compression. Not saying don't try it, because it might be just the ticket for you, but keep in mind it's a $200 amp and it sounds like a $200 amp, not really a substitute for a "real" amp if you are gigging.
It's a portable package, but I have an open back 1x12 that's just as portable and with my 13lb, 25-watt head I have much better tone and much more usable volume.
I'll be honest, I gushed over mine a bit when I first got it and even upgraded the speaker (a must-do with this amp IMO) but then when I critically A/B'd it against my other amps I realized how "basic" it really sounds.
Hahahahahahaha!OH CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it does BASS too!?!?!?!??!?!?
I hate you all -- now I am wanting one---
cant sound as good as this though
View attachment 17801
Is the onboard speaker rated to take bass frequency excursions?!
That would be a huge plus...but I agree the tuck n roll did that long ago, and was built well enough to still crank it out 50(yep, my blue one turned 50 a couple of months ago) years later...with style.
I wonder what all this particle/mdf board stuff is going to look like in 20 years, never mind 50.
Iv
Whoa! Déjà vu! Where did I just read this?!?!
I hope it brings down the prices...I’d love to find a good Klipp at a fair price.
Its a great sounding amp. No doubt. First one I ever played. Never heard of them before!
Your story about the Katana 50 is the confirmation of my skepticism of its ability to fit the bill for me. One of those side projects included another guitarist playing through a 100 watt Marshall solid state 2x12 combo. My 18 watt kept up with ease. My Crate Vintage Club 2112 struggled a bit for clean headroom, but did the job ok(that project was all fairly heavy, riffy stuff). My Classic 30 was overkill, but excellent for the project(it has a couple of mods, and a Vintage 30 on board).
I keep reading your happy posts about your 5:25, and wish that I could justify the expense of yet another el84 amp....even if it is a Mesa(yes I still like my Dual Rec, but I ain’t gonna be dragging that beast around that much-the project rehearsal space is not for leaving gear laying around- I take out all that I bring in each session). I have a few different cabs around that would pair well with the 5:25.
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
Definitely get where you’re coming from.
I will add that the 5:25 is, without question, the best investment in music gear I have ever made in over 40 years of playing. Better than any sngle amp or guitar purchase. It’s that good and that versatile. Check one out f you get the chance.
OH CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it does BASS too!?!?!?!??!?!?
I hate you all -- now I am wanting one---
cant sound as good as this though
View attachment 17801
You Must have a Rik LM4004...
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
no that is a homeade KIT --
PiTBull guitars out of OZ sells them --- I will be getting another kit from them (its become my traditional Christmas gift from the Misses---)
THe one above is referred to as the Kraken--- or as it says on the TRC --THe Rickenbastard.....several personal "mods" where done to the original kit---including the REAL Ricki bridge/tailpiece 5 lb anti neck dive system.
aged metals and finish--- I was going for a "I found this in my pot smoking cousins basement --its been there 38 years" look --- think I nailed it---
ANd thanks to Drumoid the wiring and tone is AMAZING--
PiTBull guitars out of OZ sells them --- I will be getting another kit from them (its become my traditional Christmas gift from the Misses---)
THe one above is referred to as the Kraken--- or as it says on the TRC --THe Rickenbastard.....several personal "mods" where done to the original kit---including the REAL Ricki bridge/tailpiece 5 lb anti neck dive system.
aged metals and finish--- I was going for a "I found this in my pot smoking cousins basement --its been there 38 years" look --- think I nailed it---
ANd thanks to Drumoid the wiring and tone is AMAZING--
Very nice indeed!
Nice video!
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
But...seems what he is really playing is his pedalboard, and just using the Katana as a clean platform for the tone of the pedals. No problem with doing that, but not sure that gives an honest representation of what the amp sounds like.
OP
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
True to one extent, but if it works as a clean platform it's still worth the $219...
I can tell you the 100 watt head performs well across the board, effects and all.
IMO these are better than the Mustangs and low end Line 6 Spiders...
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
Definitely worth the money. My opinion has been that it is no substitute for a real amp, not that it is completely unworthy. For the cost, it's exceptional, but it's not a $219 miracle-amp that will save you from laying out the cash for a true amp if you really care about the tone.
OP
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
Absolutely! And I don't think they'll every make one for that cost even if they could...why kill your own High End market.
Would I choose my Katana over my beloved Carol-Ann...um...Hell No. Now if we were talking about women...sure Asian all the way for me!
That’s the thing, right there...while I’m shopping around new side projects that involve me traveling around to who knows where, and how often, I would rather not have to worry about $2000.00 worth of amp, or worse... my home made stuff.
I’m tempted by the idea of an amp that would not be a worry if I left it in the car for a week or two of random New England weather. An amp that makes a good enough pedal platform. An amp that is completely replaceable, and readily available if it were stolen or damaged.
It would be nice if it sounded, and behaved at least reasonably close to some of my current amps...but I’m not looking for perfection. I’m also not looking for embarrassment.
I liked the last Katana video posted.
I’m tempted by the idea of an amp that would not be a worry if I left it in the car for a week or two of random New England weather. An amp that makes a good enough pedal platform. An amp that is completely replaceable, and readily available if it were stolen or damaged.
It would be nice if it sounded, and behaved at least reasonably close to some of my current amps...but I’m not looking for perfection. I’m also not looking for embarrassment.
I liked the last Katana video posted.
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Exactly!!!
$129.00 for a unsold demo Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head. $150.00 for a Jackson 4X12" cabinet from the studio...found another through a colleague for $125...