I currently own a Katana 50 combo. I like it, it works well as a home practice tool but also punchy enough for rehearsals/jams/small gigs etc. However, as much as I like it I find that whenever I've played through a nice valve amp - I've had a go with the likes of Blues Juniors, a Princeton Reverb, and something expensive looking and boutiquey in the studio at the Huddersfield Jam (I forget what it was!) - the difference is immediately noticeable.
I've thought about getting a valve amp myself, but not sure I could live without the easy power-scaling, lightness and general low-maintenance qualities of solid state.
I know the big plus of the Katana is the ability to 'sculpt' tone using the Tone Studio, and being able to tweak all the clever effects to the nth degree on the laptop. However, in the 6+ months I've had mine I think I've hooked the laptop up twice - once to get the V.2 software update, and once more to get a couple of patches I'd downloaded. Endless tweaking of settings and effects just doesn't float my boat in the slightest. 95% of the time I just have it set with a nice clean-verging-on-crunch tone with a bit of reverb, and that's about it. I don't really touch the effects or the higher gain voicings.
So I'm thinking the Roland Blues Cube range might be the ideal upgrade for me. They seem to be extremely highly thought of in the world of the interwebs and beyond. Better build, better speaker, non-modelling, nice and simple to use. One step closer to classic Fender-y valve tones but still easy to get satisfying tones at bedroom volumes etc.
So has anyone played/owned both? Is the difference in tone and build quality between the two noticeable and worth the upgrade for a low-tech luddite like myself?! (I'd be looking 2nd hand not at new prices btw)
Comments
You sure you aint just got GAS?
Well obviously I have GAS, surely that goes without saying?! Isn't this whole forum just a GAS victim support group?
Yeah, I do like my Katana on it's own (and you can't argue with the value for money) but just find myself yearning for something else after I play through something a bit more tasty. I just wondered whether the Blues Cube might be the right way to scratch that itch.
Maybe not given what's been said here so far...
My guess would be that the Blues Cubes "strengths" lie in mimicking the Fender Deluxe clean / mild drive tone and that the Katana excels at dirty tones. Whilst the Blues Cube does have a dirty channel, from what I've read many people use the clean side with pedals for dirt.
When I heard the Blues Cube live, the guitarist was indeed using clean channel only with Zen Drive for dirt. It sounded phenomenal, plenty of Fendery punch on clean and nice smooth drive from the pedal.
It really does depend on what you need as they are very different beasts. I think it comes down to whether you prefer Marshall style crunch/gain using the amp or Fender cleans with pedals.
I definitely think I'd enjoy playing the Blues Cubes more, just a question of whether I stump up the extra £££ or just stick what I've got. Decisions, decisions...
I switched to a handwired AC15. I like Fender amps but they are just impossible to get in the sweet spot at sensible volumes. Still have a Fender GT 200 Mustang modeller, which I think is absolutely fabulous - if I get a big enough gig, I plan on running that and the Vox together.
Only way you're going to know is by trying them though, buddy. Enjoy.
I always want to buy something loud and valvey of some kind when I get like that, the issue for me is always volume, I can barely get above a whisper most of the time!
My feedback thread is here.