Katana 50 impressions please?

Modellista

Legionreturns said:

The 50w has 3 power settings: 50/25/0.5 
The 100w has 100/50/0.5 

I'm not convinced on the scaling though to be honest. I think the 0.5 is still very loud if you crank it and I've used it with a drummer. 

Definitely the best approach is to have the master set on full then adjust the channel volume to suit. 

Maybe I've never cranked the 0.5w mode but it is quite quiet from my 50w Katana.  Good for home use but I'd never use it for anything else.  

I've not seen any benefit from cranking the master, if anything it sounds a bit overloaded and compressed like that.  Just put the gain, channel volume, and master volume on half and use the power scaling - 25w for practice and 50w for gigs.

The choice between the 50w and 100w is an interesting one.  The 50w is wonderfully small and light - you can carry it on public transport which is brilliant.  In addition to the extra power the 100w does give you a better speaker (and the 50w can flub out at high volumes), effects loop, and the ability to use the four-way footswitch.

Unless you need any of those features, just get the 50w - it's the guitar bargain of the century.  Unless you're going for a >£1k tube amp, the Katana is the sensible choice.  Stuff like the Blues Jr has been obsoleted overnight.

Legionreturns

Check this out... Live performance using the 0.5w setting. (See the text below and comments) ... Unbelievable! 

Modellista

Legionreturns said:

Check this out... Live performance using the 0.5w setting. (See the text below and comments) ... Unbelievable! 

Not that unbelievable since it was mic'd up.

midlifecrisis

i have the 100w 112 combo.  at 0.5 watt its loud enough for home playing, still enough to annoy neighbours if youre that way inclined,  50w loud enough un micced pub gigs. then 100w not really much difference between 50w,. lovely amp, just started using built in effects with the gafc controller.

bermudianbrit

what's the line-out like? I mean could you realistically go to FOH with it? I've found that line-outs and speaker sims tend to suffer a bit.

Erjimipey

Do you need the footswitch to access the floorboard fx? I'm considering this one for my next buy, but I've read so much about the sneaky amps, that I'm curious about them, and I would like to know if they work well with the Kat50... 'cause either I am terribly wrong or I seem to have understood you need the footswitch... 

Legionreturns

Erjimipey said:

Do you need the footswitch to access the floorboard fx? I'm considering this one for my next buy, but I've read so much about the sneaky amps, that I'm curious about them, and I would like to know if they work well with the Kat50... 'cause either I am terribly wrong or I seem to have understood you need the footswitch... 

The GAFC foot controller doesn't work with the 50w... But you can still programme pedals to the two channels and switch them on and off using the buttons on top. Once you connect it to tone studio, you can make changes and then save them to the amp and it overwrites the channel. I believe you only get 2 channels plus "panel" on the 50 instead of 4.

Modellista

bermudianbrit said:

what's the line-out like? I mean could you realistically go to FOH with it? I've found that line-outs and speaker sims tend to suffer a bit.

Good question, I need to try the line out on mine. Unclear whether it's got a speaker sim or not. 

DulcetJones

So far the lack of a line out hasn't been an issue for me.  All the gigs I've played that required my signal going to the PA had a soundcrew that mic'd everything.  None of them even asked about a line out.

darthed1981

Legionreturns said:

Erjimipey said:

Do you need the footswitch to access the floorboard fx? I'm considering this one for my next buy, but I've read so much about the sneaky amps, that I'm curious about them, and I would like to know if they work well with the Kat50... 'cause either I am terribly wrong or I seem to have understood you need the footswitch... 

The GAFC foot controller doesn't work with the 50w... But you can still programme pedals to the two channels and switch them on and off using the buttons on top. Once you connect it to tone studio, you can make changes and then save them to the amp and it overwrites the channel. I believe you only get 2 channels plus "panel" on the 50 instead of 4.

You can use a normal latching foot switch on the Katana 50 to switch channels mid-song if required.

There is a great summary up thread of the pros and cons of each version.  I think it basically comes down to what you want to use it for.

Gassage

Absolutely awesome, although can be quite bright sounding and a need to dial the treble out. Miles better than anything else of its ilk and price point.

Chris777

I'm loving my 50, although no expert by a longway I find I can do most things, i.e tone without buying other pedals etc, the 0.5w setting is great for practising, without having to blows the windows out to get a good sound, well built, sturdy, I love it!!

HAL9000

My main reason for starting this thread was that I was considering replacing my Orange CR60C (mainly because the Katana weighs significantly less). However, after having a play this morning with various guitars and playing about with the gain, volume, and master volume controls (they're quite interactive) I've realised the Orange will actually do everything I want it do. So I've decided to stick with what I've got. Thanks for all your replies.

darthed1981

HAL9000 said:

My main reason for starting this thread was that I was considering replacing my Orange CR60C (mainly because the Katana weighs significantly less). However, after having a play this morning with various guitars and playing about with the gain, volume, and master volume controls (they're quite interactive) I've realised the Orange will actually do everything I want it do. So I've decided to stick with what I've got. Thanks for all your replies.

@HAL9000 You say that now, but GAS will hit you again as inevitably as after a baked bean vindaloo!

HAL9000

darthed1981 said:

HAL9000 said:

My main reason for starting this thread was that I was considering replacing my Orange CR60C (mainly because the Katana weighs significantly less). However, after having a play this morning with various guitars and playing about with the gain, volume, and master volume controls (they're quite interactive) I've realised the Orange will actually do everything I want it do. So I've decided to stick with what I've got. Thanks for all your replies.

@HAL9000 You say that now, but GAS will hit you again as inevitably as after a baked bean vindaloo!

Sigh! Sadly, I suspect you're right. However I do know that if I ever sold the Orange I'd regret it very soon after. 

midlifecrisis

HAL9000 said:

darthed1981 said:

HAL9000 said:

My main reason for starting this thread was that I was considering replacing my Orange CR60C (mainly because the Katana weighs significantly less). However, after having a play this morning with various guitars and playing about with the gain, volume, and master volume controls (they're quite interactive) I've realised the Orange will actually do everything I want it do. So I've decided to stick with what I've got. Thanks for all your replies.

@HAL9000 You say that now, but GAS will hit you again as inevitably as after a baked bean vindaloo!

Sigh! Sadly, I suspect you're right. However I do know that if I ever sold the Orange I'd regret it very soon after. 

i understand your feelings. i bought the katana 100 as a replacement for gigging my laney vc30 212, half the weight. although the katana has exceded my expectations and i havnt gigged the laney since i got the katana, im still loath to sell it in case i change my mind, silly i know but  what can i do

darthed1981

midlifecrisis said:

HAL9000 said:

darthed1981 said:

HAL9000 said:

My main reason for starting this thread was that I was considering replacing my Orange CR60C (mainly because the Katana weighs significantly less). However, after having a play this morning with various guitars and playing about with the gain, volume, and master volume controls (they're quite interactive) I've realised the Orange will actually do everything I want it do. So I've decided to stick with what I've got. Thanks for all your replies.

@HAL9000 You say that now, but GAS will hit you again as inevitably as after a baked bean vindaloo!

Sigh! Sadly, I suspect you're right. However I do know that if I ever sold the Orange I'd regret it very soon after. 

i understand your feelings. i bought the katana 100 as a replacement for gigging my laney vc30 212, half the weight. although the katana has exceded my expectations and i havnt gigged the laney since i got the katana, im still loath to sell it in case i change my mind, silly i know but  what can i do

Keep it. ☺