I bought a Boss Katana 50 two weeks ago as a replacement for my Mesa Rectoverb. The Mesa though a fantastic amp can’t be played quiet enough for my needs now.
I mostly play of an evening when everyone’s gone to bed so the Katana seemed a great choice. Initially I didn’t like the amp and I thought it would be returned but after a bit more tweaking I got some really nice tones out of it and I was a happy man.
The irony of today though is that everyone went out and I got to crank it, box of bees! I couldn’t get any low end thump out of it and either I had to settle for too much treble or there was this mid frequency I just didn’t like. It didn’t help that I had a final go on the Mesa cranked and it sounded immense.
So my dilemma is what can I get that does both the quiet side but will still give me some gratification on those occasions I’m left home alone?
currently I’m eying up a line 6 DT25 as I’ve had one before and liked it and I’m also looking at the Blackstar ID core 100 as it’s got the looper and effects that I’ll miss with the Katana going.
What say you wise sage’s?
need an amp that’s quiet but sounds good, can sound good loud and has an easy recording feature.
Comments
Having heard a Katana, I'm more surprised that you could get a decent quiet practice sound of it it, than I am that you couldn't get a decent loud sound. Do you need to do some more knob-twiddling?
As others have said, they are great for £180 quid, probably would be great for £350 as well, but they aren't designed to compete with the top end valve amps.
Cheaper than another amp, too.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I dont want want to go plug ins as I’ve lonited time so anything I can just push one button and go on is a plus. Maybe I’m asking for the moon on a stick?
To save you asking ... THD Hotplate. Low-volume mode, deep/bright switches and noise reduction built in.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
During that process I bypassed the global EQ just to give my ears a datum from which to work, and it sounded absolutely atrocious. I would never have bought it in a shop, it really is vicious.
With the EQ back on it's passable in a gig situation depending on venue but I'm getting fantastic low volume tones out of it, it's genuinely the best home amp I've ever had.
If you can wait until tomorrow I'll give you my settings to try. PM me to remind me in the morning, and I can call you and talk through what I'm doing if you like.
Agreed, your X6 (or a Cayenne or maybe a decent Q7) would tick those original boxes that I used as examples, but they're all fairly expensive vehicles.
A Katana isn't exactly an expensive amp, so perhaps it's not surprising that it doesn't tick multiple boxes as effectively as those vehicles?
So with the recto going and not wanting valve would the blackstar or the DT be the way to go do you think? Tried the Yamaha THR’s and didn’t like them and staying this side of £500 The helix et al approach is out.
My playing is either through a THR (with various downloaded settings patches - not the originals!) or via iPad apps and headphones.
That said, I've liked the Blackstar kit that I have had through the years - but if you've got good experience of Line 6, then maybe that's your best option?? Try them!!
2 channels, built like a tank and cheap as chips, i used to have one and they are great.
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