Still working? I keep reading about having specific ohms on cab and head that have to match or it can damage the head (Katana amp in this case). My line 6 cab says 4 ohms or 2 separate cables in stereo for 8 ohms each. I don't know what the marshall cab is but I wonder if yours had any issues over time?
Great Video! I just ordered the parts to do a similar mod. I want to be able to put my 50w amp on an attenuator. So, I am going to put two input jacks in the box (i bought a slightly bigger one). That way i can connect the two jacks with a small jumper speaker cable when not using the attenuator. And just run it straight thru the attunuator with two small speaker cables without the need for female to male adaptors. What do you think? My only concern was that i’ll be adding a few more feet of cable between the amp and the speaker, but only a foot or two more than yours.
@@warpdrivebatty If you short the leads or ground the leads while the amp is on, you will fry the power amp chip. These chips requires a 4 or 8 ohm load (usually a speaker).
You all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I would love any tricks you can give me!
@Jonathan Harlan i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
I've done this before but it was several decades ago and yours, being reversible is much tidier. So, thanks for the "refresher course"! My Katana 100 MKII is "enroute" and I'm having a lot of fun plotting what all I can do with it.
From Leo: Nice easy mod. I have never thought about making it reversable. I had always drilled and screwed permanent installation. The tape to prevent shorting is a must, not just for cutting out, but many solid state circuits are not tolerant of short circuit on the outputs. Also, some circuits cannot tolerate an open circuit condition (as in no speaker at all) I have not seen a print on the Katana, but it is a safe practice to always have the proper value speaker properly connected any time the amplifier is powered. Good Job!
solid state amplifiers don't need a load that is always plugged in like tube amplifiers do. if you don't connect an impedance load and turn on the amp nothing wrong happens. in the event of a short circuit you will not hear anything but there is no risk of damage, simply as soon as the insulation between the two cables is re-established the speaker starts again. Hello!
Really slick, super smart and simple. Great idea!! I have only one suggestion. Whenever I use a spade plug and the male end is a little bit too tight I just insert a flat head screwdriver into the female end and pry it open ever-so-slightly then I don't have to worry about filing anyting. Just do it a little bit and test it until you get it right. If you go too far and get it too lose you can always take a pair of pliers and squeeze the female end a little bit tighter again until you get the perfect fit. It's really simple and you don't doesn't require filing anything. If you have Spade connectors that you're going to be unplugging and replugging fairly often it's a good idea to solder them to your wire after you crimped them in place, that way you don't have to worry about them coming loose from the wire and you'll get a better connection. Just another suggestion which you probably already thought of. God bless you!! Jimmy in NC....
To use the katana speaker as an external cab, you can also use a female-to-female connector on that 1/4" jack going to the speaker, and connect the other end to your head.
Just did the mod last night! Can't thank you enough for the video. I ended up going with a 2x12 Harley Benton v30 cab and it sounds huge. Posted a video and gave you a shout-out on my channel. Thanks again!!
Just completed this mod. I purchased a celestion 90th anniversary 12 inch speaker which I had a cab for. Was waiting for the new speaker before completing this mod on my 50 Katana. Worked great and sounds awesome through the G12-35XC. Thanks Andy
@@TheGuitarGeek Surprisingly louder but more defined and clear. It was amazing to hear the change in sound from my Katana. Was planning on a greenback but got a deal on the G12-35XC.
Amazing video... only something missing to be ultra mega amazing!!! Running your new Katana 100 "head" through the cabinet of the Artist you reviewed recently!!! That is the ultimate video to show us exactly what has been changed in the Artist (which, I am sure, was only the speaker and cabinet... for 300 euros... maybe a bit exaggerated!). Keep up the good work... and please... make us a video comparing the Katana 100, the Artist and the Katana "head" through the Artist's cabinet!!! I will literally pay for a video comparing that!!!! Promise! :) You rock!
Very clever! I just discovered your channel 15 minutes ago and subscribed immediately. You are brilliant. I own a bunch of digital amps, including both the 100 and the Artist Katanas, and 2 tube amps, ..a DSL 40C and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. You've given me great idea already. Looking forward to seeing more.
Saw this after watching a video where a guy took the guts of a Katana and made it into a floor head with a built in Boss footswitch too...pretty cool stuff...
In the process of doing this mod. Can't wait to get the final parts and finish it out. Thanks for this idea! Way easier than anything I was thinking of.
@Jeralt Du Trivia it will work but by increasing the impedance, the amp’s power will be decreased. It’s 100WATT at 8ohms. At 16ohms, it won’t be 100WATT
I was wondering about buying a Katana 50 mk2, the only point that bothered me was the lack of speaker output to connect my 212 palmer (same as you, it seems). Thanks to you it's not longer an issue.
Outstanding mod....I just got a Katana 50 MK2 to use as a practice amp. I have a 100 watt Marshall JCM and a vertical speaker cab with two 12 inch Vintage 30s. It would be nice to be able to drive that cab with the Katana and save tube wear and tear on my head. Unplug it and then I can just grab the 50 Combo and head to practice. Doing this mod this weekend! Thanks again.
Another good one... nice job!!, I saw a nother option where they drilled a hole in the back plate and added a female 1/4 jack, you can have 2 options one were it shuts off the internal speaker and you can use a cab of your choice, the other is to have another katana speaker cab along with the combos speaker. ..I believe the Katana speaker are xcellent speakers.I have the 100 watt head and with my Marshall cab it sound awesome and really loud..the way the katana takes O.D. pedals sounds tube like, of all the digital amps, Boss is the only one that let's you decide what tone you want to hear..it does that very well...I believe that 2 100 watt 2x 12 combos would sound amazing in stereo....
The larger terminal on the Boss Katana's speaker actually takes a 5.2mm female spade connector, available from V&U Electronics online in the UK. This particular size is way more difficult to get hold of than the larger 6.3mm type in the UK. Celestion and Eminence use the 5.2mm size too. 6.3mm spades are a little too loose fitting and may short out if detached by vibration.
On the katana 50 I was experimenting with sealing the back of the cab making it 3/4 sealed back cabinet. Holy smokes what a difference it made,! Warmer, smoothed out the high end and tighter bass response.. only problem is that it would void warranty unless it were fastened with something else besides screws..
Thanks so much for this tutorial and discussion!! What a great way to turn an already amazing amp into an even more versatile tool!! Cheers! I just had a question about what the ohms are? Could I connect this to a 4 x 12 cab?
Hi, love the great info on the Katana, thank you.????? i have a Katana Mk2 100/1x12, and also a new JC-120.......how do i connect or can i connect the Katana into the JC120......would the "Stereo Expand" work as intended??? or Katana poweramp out to JC120??? what would cable diagram look like........thank you in advance....bewell
Thanks... I've been geeking for a 2x12 cabinet, but I'm totally happy with my Katana 100/112 as an amp. Well, truthfully, I've happy with the Katana as a combo, but since when is rationality a part of wants...
Place a jack on the box to the amp then a jack to the speaker connect the two jacks with a pedal cable to work internal speaker. Unplug the pedal cable and use a standard speaker cable to your cab, note that your jacks need to be well marked as to what it is.
I don't know why I didn't think of this, I have considered drilling an extra hole in the back of the amp for a speaker output socket. Something like this is the way to do it to be able to return the amp if you need to use the warranty.
Does it work with the MK II 100/212, too? And what would be the difference with the wirering? Very nice Tutorial! I´m on the fence buying the Head MK II or the 100/212 MK II. The 100/212 is the better bang for the buck for me at the moment, but I want the option to buy a cabinet later on. So this gives me this option. BUT will it work with the 100/212, too? On the pictures I saw, the wirering of the 2 speakers is a litte bit different, regarding the ground cable, am I right? So how would it work in the case of the 100/212? EDIT: just took a closer look to the picture and I saw it wrong. It looked like there are only red cables coming from the Amp and the black cable is only between the both speaker^^ Now I saw, black and red cable are coming from the Amp, but the speaker are conectet to each other. So in the end it is the complete same work to do, as one has just to handle with one black and one red cable again :) Thanks anyway for reading ;)
This is awesome. I need to do this to my 50w mk2 since I just ordered a Harley Benton 212 Vintage cab. I'm terrible with tools & parts - any chance I could pay you to build this for me? I'll cover all costs + time + shipping!
EXCELLENT idea and video . Only one thing I didn't see or hear that people need to keep in mind if doing this is ohmage/ change . The ohms eg. speaker load when both speakers are connected needs to be that of the amp or greater than to avoid frying the amp like a sweet smoldering slab of bacon but with that said if it is fine you are GTG
@@TheGuitarGeek So ...... I was always told that speaker impedance only mattered on TUBE Power Amps - not on digital Power chips. In fact I have done several mods to Digital amps with different imp and never had a issue. AM I wrong? Also .... adding a DPDT switch and making a permanant connection eliminates connecting/unconnecting speakers and gives you instant options to use or not use the combo speaker.
It's definitely one thing the Katana's lack is an external speaker jack. Instead of the insulation tape, use insulated connectors. And you could add another 1/4" jack and use the switch on it to cut the internal speaker.
Great video. I am not so sure that the Katana Artist speaker sounds that much different that the one in the 100. That said that greenback sounds awsome!
So ...... I was always told that speaker impedance only mattered on TUBE Power Amps - not on digital Power chips. In fact I have done several mods to Digital amps with different imp and never had a issue. AM I wrong? Also .... adding a DPDT switch and making a permanent connection eliminates connecting/un-connecting speakers and gives you instant options to use or not use the combo speaker.
Great Video! I just ordered the parts to do a similar mod. I want to be able to put my 50w amp on an attenuator. So, I am going to put two input jacks in the box (i bought a slightly bigger one). That way i can connect the two jacks with a small jumper speaker cable when not using the attenuator. And just run it straight thru the attunuator with two small speaker cables without the need for female to male adaptors. What do you think? My only concern was that i’ll be adding a few more feet of cable between the amp and the speaker, but only a foot or two more than yours.
@@TheGuitarGeek Hi man! Sorry for combing back to bother but I had a question. I'm not getting as much volume as I hoped from this mod, so I wondering if putting something like an EQ pedal or a Boost pedal between the amp and my cab could work to increase the volume, or would this be a terrible idea? Thank you!
Hi - you say under the vid that a katana50 impedance is 4 ohms and I know Boss also say this. However I've measured mine and it's 8 ohms not 4. I'm going to build a 2 x 12 50 watt cab for mine so I wanted to be sure. Great vid btw it gave me the idea to build the cab.
You measured resistance, with a multimeter (it uses a DC voltage to measure it), impedance is AC resistance. The resistance changes depending on the frequency, so the impedance value is not the same as what you read with a multimeter. With a solid state amp you are limited by the maximum current the amp can supply. So the higher the impedance the less current the amp needs to provide, but you will decrease the wattage. Thats why they give you a minimum impedance value on amps for the speaker. ie minimum 8 ohms on the katana 100 head, 16, 32, 500 ohms will all work fine I know this is an old comment, but maybe it will be useful to someone
What I did was to simply unplug the 1/4" amp speaker plug on the back of the amp, and plug in a 1/4" speaker cabinet cable and plug that into the speaker cabinet jack. No need to do all that in the video. Just make sure you use the proper Ohm speaker that works with the amp. I did it to my Fender Super Champ X2 and it worked perfectly. 8 ohm to 8 ohm speaker (Warehouse Veteran 30 12" 8 ohm speaker).
I am looking at the mod to, but I want to still use the Katana speaker rather than just replace it. One way for me to do this is to use my Laney IRT112 cab which has a link speaker board and socket, and extend your jack into the Laney IRT112. However, there is also making sure the connection goes to an 8ohm speaker which you didnt say by the way. So a mod that maintains the use of the speaker that daisy chains other speakers would be useful if you could think of doing that so you can still use the Katana speaker
Hello G Geek. This is a very good tutorial. Big thanks. Do you have another video that teaches us on how to turn a combo amp, say Katana 1x12 or 2x12 into a cab which gets powered by a head produced by another company? Not sure if you get what I am trying to describe in my silly question. I really like the way you modify things which can be reversible and does not void the warranty. Cheers.
Great video! I wanted to connect my Katana to my Marshall 4x12 and this will help. Question, will the Katana drive a 16ohm 4x12? I know the internal speaker is 8ohm, but is the Katana rated for 8ohm minimum or maximum? Thanks!
I have the head/212 cabinet, because I wanted the speaker out and because I liked the sound of the 212 much better than the 100 combo. However, I have not had a chance to hear the Artist. I wonder how the 100H/212 stacks up against the Artist, tone wise? They are about the same cost.
i want to hook it up to a 1x12 cab to make it a 2x12 amp...maybe changing the Katana's speaker for another one that's not based on the Greenback...is good for very old school metal...but i need more low end and roar
Great idea, thanks. One question; I'll be plugging into an old Marshall 212 cab with original greenbacks. The greenbacks are rated 30w each. Does that mean I can only use the 50w setting on the Katana, not the 100w. ? Thanks again.
QUESTION: Can you run TWO Boss Katana 2x12 cabinets off of ONE Boss Katana MKII 100Watt head? Can you connect the two cabinets safely together and to the head via a y-slit speaker cable? - i.e., a speaker cable Y-splitter out of the back of the head, with two speaker cables from the Y-splitter connected and one speaker cable to each cabinet. Is this a safe connection that will not harm the head or cabinet speakers; and, that will not void the Boss warranty on any of the units...? Given this is a solid state amp head, versus a tube amp, I would think the above described connection would work fine, as long as the Ohms impedances are within spec for the head and both cabinets combined...? Any help to understand this issue is greatly appreciated. I know the Katana MKII can run in stereo with two combo amps (one as a slave to the main). But,...I understand the question above is a different scenario than a master-slave stereo setup.
Is it possible to post a link with the exact items that was purchased for the Katana 100. It's the same one I have but I want to do this. Now how do I make sure so keep the right amount of omhs for the mod?
If you make the tails two separate lengths they could never touch anyway and still tape them as a precondition so they can’t short on anything else like the chassis.
If you use the completely covered insulated spade connectors you wouldn't need to use heat shrink or tape and would be reversible and more user friendly.
Yes. I would make a box with three jacks, One wired to the amp with a resistor-for protection, And two to the speaker. One each to each tab set. So you can plug the cab straight to the head or head to internal with a jumper then series to the cab (series or parallel is all about impedance)
@@Aokitadamitsu Hi Tim and John. Am looking to do similar with Marshall 1936 wonder if that's possible? Normally use Valvestate 100w head but would like to use combo on top for gigs. Wonder if you can help. Thanks
@@robsmith8858 not sure I fully understand the circuit here.. Currently your doing a valvestate 100w running to a Marshall 1936 2 x 12" Guitar Speaker Cabinet Features: 150-watt, 2 x 12" base cabinet Celestion G12T-75W speaker Selectable mono (8 ohms) or stereo (16 ohms) operation are you using this as mono or stereo?? Now your wanting to go signal out from a combo-amp to the marshal 1936?? mono or stereo? whats the feed to the marshal 1936?
@@Aokitadamitsu Thanks for such a quick response Tim, Yes I normally just take one lead from the cab into the amp so I guess it would be mono. There are two choices at the back of the cab but I dont pay any attention to where becuse it sounds the same to me anyway
question i have a katana mk 2 100 watt head and want to run into 2 412 cabs but only have one speaker out on the katana my marshal 4 12s have 4 ohm imput and seperate 16 ohm connection on them
Brilliant Andy. Especially as I have a 3 year warranty on my Katana. Could you tell me Where can you get the Palmer cab please and what Ohm rating should the speakers be ? 👍😊
Unsure whether to just buy a powered frfr speaker like line 6 x2 for my katana air oit througj headphone rec out for loud playing or mod it to play through a normal guitar cab unsure unsure
If i do this mod would I be able to connect to a Randall RX412? I checked its impedance and its *ohms which the katana puts out on the 100w setting. Also the cable I would have to use I assume is a 1/4" speaker cable usually used to connect heads to a stack?
My 50 watt katana combo is about to be converted. I have a 2x12 cab wired up at 16 Ohms. Should I be ok to hook the katana into that or do I use my other cab of 8 Ohms? Im so bad with understanding ohms and what amps can connect to them.
No. I liked the idea of owning a combo, but wanted to have the option of using an extension cabinet. I was leaning toward the head because it had that option. Thanks for helping to make up my mind. I will definitely get the combo, with the option of using a cabinet if I want.
100 or 50? I don’t really need 100, but would buy it just for the extra features. I did hear they updated the 50 so you can store presets 2 in A bank and 2 in a B bank. This might be all I needs for home use. Any thought? Thanks.
Nice job ... Best excuse to buy an external cab I can think of. Have to wonder if you ever came across a Waza Cab to go with it on the cheap. Mind you at that price point you may as well buy the artist!
I think the chances of one falling off the back of a legitimate lorry and onto my lap (ouch) is quite thin. I wonder if I can return my 100 and upgrade to an artist.
Very likely a stupid question, but is the opposite possible? I can put a new amp head and use the Katana 50 Combo as a speaker only? Is it just the case of plugging the chain into to the new amp head and then it's a cable out of the amp head and into the input of the katana 50?
That is a little risky. You need to watch impedance. If you don't know how to calculate it consult a local shop and have it done. Not something I would mess with.
A good tech could wire up a jack the would add a second speaker in series (8+8= 16 ohms) when you plug it in and run the stock speaker when you unplug the external cab. Do a google search. If you know a good amp tech I would recommend having it done. If the guy scratches his head when you ask him, find another tech.
Just completed this mod from katana mk2 100w combo to marshall 4 x 12 and can confirm it works perfectly. Thank You so much.
Still working? I keep reading about having specific ohms on cab and head that have to match or it can damage the head (Katana amp in this case). My line 6 cab says 4 ohms or 2 separate cables in stereo for 8 ohms each. I don't know what the marshall cab is but I wonder if yours had any issues over time?
@@mikehaisell4301 did you ever do this and have it still working?
Like if you've done the mod or are thinking about doing the mod!
Great idea. Kudos to you! I’ve been thinking of doing this myself.
Thanks. I'm impressed how it sounds
Great mod. Can you tell me what gauge of wire you used. Thanks a ton.
Thanks. Just match or exceed the gauge that's in there
Great Video! I just ordered the parts to do a similar mod. I want to be able to put my 50w amp on an attenuator. So, I am going to put two input jacks in the box (i bought a slightly bigger one). That way i can connect the two jacks with a small jumper speaker cable when not using the attenuator. And just run it straight thru the attunuator with two small speaker cables without the need for female to male adaptors. What do you think? My only concern was that i’ll be adding a few more feet of cable between the amp and the speaker, but only a foot or two more than yours.
To avoid having leads touching, I usually shorten one of the two lead. That way, they cannot physically touch.
What would happen if they do?
@@warpdrivebatty If you short the leads or ground the leads while the amp is on, you will fry the power amp chip. These chips requires a 4 or 8 ohm load (usually a speaker).
You all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account?
I stupidly lost my password. I would love any tricks you can give me!
@Benedict Marco Instablaster =)
@Jonathan Harlan i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
I've done this before but it was several decades ago and yours, being reversible is much tidier. So, thanks for the "refresher course"! My Katana 100 MKII is "enroute" and I'm having a lot of fun plotting what all I can do with it.
From Leo: Nice easy mod. I have never thought about making it reversable. I had always drilled and screwed permanent installation. The tape to prevent shorting is a must, not just for cutting out, but many solid state circuits are not tolerant of short circuit on the outputs. Also, some circuits cannot tolerate an open circuit condition (as in no speaker at all) I have not seen a print on the Katana, but it is a safe practice to always have the proper value speaker properly connected any time the amplifier is powered. Good Job!
Cheers Leo. All correct there
there are also covered spade lugs that do a good job of isolating the connections.
What would happen if shorted or turned on with no speaker?
solid state amplifiers don't need a load that is always plugged in like tube amplifiers do. if you don't connect an impedance load and turn on the amp nothing wrong happens. in the event of a short circuit you will not hear anything but there is no risk of damage, simply as soon as the insulation between the two cables is re-established the speaker starts again. Hello!
Really slick, super smart and simple. Great idea!! I have only one suggestion. Whenever I use a spade plug and the male end is a little bit too tight I just insert a flat head screwdriver into the female end and pry it open ever-so-slightly then I don't have to worry about filing anyting. Just do it a little bit and test it until you get it right. If you go too far and get it too lose you can always take a pair of pliers and squeeze the female end a little bit tighter again until you get the perfect fit. It's really simple and you don't doesn't require filing anything. If you have Spade connectors that you're going to be unplugging and replugging fairly often it's a good idea to solder them to your wire after you crimped them in place, that way you don't have to worry about them coming loose from the wire and you'll get a better connection. Just another suggestion which you probably already thought of.
God bless you!!
Jimmy in NC....
Nice mod, the regular katana speaker sounded awsome to me already.
To me too. Just nice to have options
It would have been easy to supply an extension speaker jack, strange really.
@@Deliquescentinsight Then they would not have been able to sell people on the new artist series. The only difference i hear is the new speaker
To use the katana speaker as an external cab, you can also use a female-to-female connector on that 1/4" jack going to the speaker, and connect the other end to your head.
I went ahead and did this mod on my Katana 50 hooking up a 4 x 10 cabinet both rated for 4 ohm and it sounds fantastic! Thanks
Just did the mod last night! Can't thank you enough for the video. I ended up going with a 2x12 Harley Benton v30 cab and it sounds huge. Posted a video and gave you a shout-out on my channel. Thanks again!!
Hey that’s great! I’ll go take a listen
i want to do this with the same cab ill check the vid out
Just completed this mod. I purchased a celestion 90th anniversary 12 inch speaker which I had a cab for. Was waiting for the new speaker before completing this mod on my 50 Katana. Worked great and sounds awesome through the G12-35XC. Thanks Andy
That’s fantastic news! Have a lot of fun with it. How loud is it?
@@TheGuitarGeek Surprisingly louder but more defined and clear. It was amazing to hear the change in sound from my Katana. Was planning on a greenback but got a deal on the G12-35XC.
Just did the mod. I'm running it into a Traynor 2x12 slant cab loaded with selection v30's. It sounds absolutely killer. Thanks for the awesome mod
Cool! That must sound killer
These Katana mod videos are awesome. I don’t have my 100 anymore but would have definitely tried this! Take care!
Thanks man. You could do it on your Peavey or does that already have a speaker out?
Amazing video... only something missing to be ultra mega amazing!!! Running your new Katana 100 "head" through the cabinet of the Artist you reviewed recently!!!
That is the ultimate video to show us exactly what has been changed in the Artist (which, I am sure, was only the speaker and cabinet... for 300 euros... maybe a bit exaggerated!).
Keep up the good work... and please... make us a video comparing the Katana 100, the Artist and the Katana "head" through the Artist's cabinet!!! I will literally pay for a video comparing that!!!! Promise! :) You rock!
It's being filmed tomorrow!
TheGuitarGeek can't wait!!!!
Me too. I'm very curious
Very clever! I just discovered your channel 15 minutes ago and subscribed immediately. You are brilliant. I own a bunch of digital amps, including both the 100 and the Artist Katanas, and 2 tube amps, ..a DSL 40C and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. You've given me great idea already. Looking forward to seeing more.
Cool! Thanks and welcome to my channel. That's a great selection of amps
Hey i have a question about the dsl 40 c
Can you use it for bedroom use
Saw this after watching a video where a guy took the guts of a Katana and made it into a floor head with a built in Boss footswitch too...pretty cool stuff...
In the process of doing this mod. Can't wait to get the final parts and finish it out. Thanks for this idea! Way easier than anything I was thinking of.
I just ordered a mk2 50 ex and I’ll be doing this mod for sure!
Hey! Impedance. Check impedance just in case. Katana suggest no LESS than an 8 ohm cab.
@Jeralt Du Trivia it will work but by increasing the impedance, the amp’s power will be decreased.
It’s 100WATT at 8ohms.
At 16ohms, it won’t be 100WATT
I was wondering about buying a Katana 50 mk2, the only point that bothered me was the lack of speaker output to connect my 212 palmer (same as you, it seems). Thanks to you it's not longer an issue.
First thing I did when I picked up a Katana 50
I have various amps and cabs
Matching cab/speaker to amp can totally change the final sound output
I been wanting to use a cab on my vintage fender super 112 red knob.. never thought of this, Thanks!
Cool idea!
Outstanding mod....I just got a Katana 50 MK2 to use as a practice amp. I have a 100 watt Marshall JCM and a vertical speaker cab with two 12 inch Vintage 30s. It would be nice to be able to drive that cab with the Katana and save tube wear and tear on my head. Unplug it and then I can just grab the 50 Combo and head to practice. Doing this mod this weekend! Thanks again.
How did you get on?
Another good one... nice job!!, I saw a nother option where they drilled a hole in the back plate and added a female 1/4 jack, you can have 2 options one were it shuts off the internal speaker and you can use a cab of your choice, the other is to have another katana speaker cab along with the combos speaker. ..I believe the Katana speaker are xcellent speakers.I have the 100 watt head and with my Marshall cab it sound awesome and really loud..the way the katana takes O.D. pedals sounds tube like, of all the digital amps, Boss is the only one that let's you decide what tone you want to hear..it does that very well...I believe that 2 100 watt 2x 12 combos would sound amazing in stereo....
Also ordered a t-shirt! I’ll feature it in future videos. :)
hey Lando. Thank you so much for your support!
The larger terminal on the Boss Katana's speaker actually takes a 5.2mm female spade connector, available from V&U Electronics online in the UK.
This particular size is way more difficult to get hold of than the larger 6.3mm type in the UK.
Celestion and Eminence use the 5.2mm size too.
6.3mm spades are a little too loose fitting and may short out if detached by vibration.
Thanks for the info. I've had no issue using the 6.3mm though. It's very tight
On the katana 50 I was experimenting with sealing the back of the cab making it 3/4 sealed back cabinet. Holy smokes what a difference it made,! Warmer, smoothed out the high end and tighter bass response.. only problem is that it would void warranty unless it were fastened with something else besides screws..
Interesting mod! Could you clamp it?
Thanks so much for this tutorial and discussion!! What a great way to turn an already amazing amp into an even more versatile tool!! Cheers! I just had a question about what the ohms are? Could I connect this to a 4 x 12 cab?
Thats i good question. Any answers?
Guitarists never seem to know these things. Maybe we need a refresher video too.
@@Niandmolar the katana mkII head is 8 ohms out...it's probably a safe but not 100% bet that the combo is the same?
Hi, love the great info on the Katana, thank you.????? i have a Katana Mk2 100/1x12, and also a new JC-120.......how do i connect or can i connect the Katana into the JC120......would the "Stereo Expand" work as intended??? or Katana poweramp out to JC120??? what would cable diagram look like........thank you in advance....bewell
Thanks... I've been geeking for a 2x12 cabinet, but I'm totally happy with my Katana 100/112 as an amp. Well, truthfully, I've happy with the Katana as a combo, but since when is rationality a part of wants...
Great to hear! Justification is not too hard ;)
Place a jack on the box to the amp then a jack to the speaker connect the two jacks with a pedal cable to work internal speaker. Unplug the pedal cable and use a standard speaker cable to your cab, note that your jacks need to be well marked as to what it is.
I don't know why I didn't think of this, I have considered drilling an extra hole in the back of the amp for a speaker output socket. Something like this is the way to do it to be able to return the amp if you need to use the warranty.
Great, simple idea Andrew, but I quite like the existing speaker in my Katana, and I don't have much room for an additional speaker cab!
I like the speaker in mine too but it's nice to have another flavour in the tone arsenal!
TheGuitarGeek That's why I've just bought a Marshall Code!
Enjoy it man
This is pretty good. I'd love to make my Bandit better. Some buzzing in amp and a loud pop when starting and shutting down.
Does it work with the MK II 100/212, too? And what would be the difference with the wirering?
Very nice Tutorial! I´m on the fence buying the Head MK II or the 100/212 MK II.
The 100/212 is the better bang for the buck for me at the moment, but I want the option to buy a cabinet later on. So this gives me this option. BUT will it work with the 100/212, too? On the pictures I saw, the wirering of the 2 speakers is a litte bit different, regarding the ground cable, am I right? So how would it work in the case of the 100/212?
EDIT: just took a closer look to the picture and I saw it wrong. It looked like there are only red cables coming from the Amp and the black cable is only between the both speaker^^
Now I saw, black and red cable are coming from the Amp, but the speaker are conectet to each other. So in the end it is the complete same work to do, as one has just to handle with one black and one red cable again :)
Thanks anyway for reading ;)
This is awesome. I need to do this to my 50w mk2 since I just ordered a Harley Benton 212 Vintage cab. I'm terrible with tools & parts - any chance I could pay you to build this for me? I'll cover all costs + time + shipping!
EXCELLENT idea and video . Only one thing I didn't see or hear that people need to keep in mind if doing this is ohmage/ change . The ohms eg. speaker load when both speakers are connected needs to be that of the amp or greater than to avoid frying the amp like a sweet smoldering slab of bacon but with that said if it is fine you are GTG
Thank you. I was sure I included the speaker resistance info but now I am not so sure.
Incidentally, I quite like bacon...
TheGuitarGeek I love bacon too lol
@@TheGuitarGeek So ...... I was always told that speaker impedance only mattered on TUBE Power Amps - not on digital Power chips. In fact I have done several mods to Digital amps with different imp and never had a issue. AM I wrong? Also .... adding a DPDT switch and making a permanant connection eliminates connecting/unconnecting speakers and gives you instant options to use or not use the combo speaker.
It's definitely one thing the Katana's lack is an external speaker jack. Instead of the insulation tape, use insulated connectors. And you could add another 1/4" jack and use the switch on it to cut the internal speaker.
Boom.
Think it would be cool to see a version of the box with 2 jacks so you can use both the Katana speaker and the other speaker together
Great video. I am not so sure that the Katana Artist speaker sounds that much different that the one in the 100. That said that greenback sounds awsome!
We'll find out on Tuesday when I post the comparison video ;)
Don't want to give us some spoilers???? :)
What's it worth?
TheGuitarGeek love and appreciation!!!! 😀
Just for that I'll move the video up to Wednesday
So ...... I was always told that speaker impedance only mattered on TUBE Power Amps - not on digital Power chips. In fact I have done several mods to Digital amps with different imp and never had a issue. AM I wrong? Also .... adding a DPDT switch and making a permanent connection eliminates connecting/un-connecting speakers and gives you instant options to use or not use the combo speaker.
You can go up in impedance but not down with a Solid State amp. Replace a 4ohm speaker with an 8ohm no problem. Don't replace your 8ohm with a 4ohm.
Great Video! I just ordered the parts to do a similar mod. I want to be able to put my 50w amp on an attenuator. So, I am going to put two input jacks in the box (i bought a slightly bigger one). That way i can connect the two jacks with a small jumper speaker cable when not using the attenuator. And just run it straight thru the attunuator with two small speaker cables without the need for female to male adaptors. What do you think? My only concern was that i’ll be adding a few more feet of cable between the amp and the speaker, but only a foot or two more than yours.
Do you happen to have links you can share for the parts needed?
Yup
m.ua-cam.com/video/L9uWld-kqoI/v-deo.html&app=m&persist_app=1
Bruh you just saved me at least a $500 bucks or more blessed be thy name
Juan! Fantastic! Go pay it forward.
@@TheGuitarGeek Hi man! Sorry for combing back to bother but I had a question. I'm not getting as much volume as I hoped from this mod, so I wondering if putting something like an EQ pedal or a Boost pedal between the amp and my cab could work to increase the volume, or would this be a terrible idea? Thank you!
Hi - you say under the vid that a katana50 impedance is 4 ohms and I know Boss also say this. However I've measured mine and it's 8 ohms not 4. I'm going to build a 2 x 12 50 watt cab for mine so I wanted to be sure.
Great vid btw it gave me the idea to build the cab.
You measured resistance, with a multimeter (it uses a DC voltage to measure it), impedance is AC resistance. The resistance changes depending on the frequency, so the impedance value is not the same as what you read with a multimeter.
With a solid state amp you are limited by the maximum current the amp can supply. So the higher the impedance the less current the amp needs to provide, but you will decrease the wattage. Thats why they give you a minimum impedance value on amps for the speaker. ie minimum 8 ohms on the katana 100 head, 16, 32, 500 ohms will all work fine
I know this is an old comment, but maybe it will be useful to someone
@@tobiusmanning7336 I was looking for this info thank you
Excellent video!
Love those videos! Thanks Andy!!!!
Thank you paul
This is a pretty good mod, nice one
Cheers Owain
What about hooking up to a 4 x 10 cab? My line 6 says 4 ohms on the back for the input.
Thanks man.. U answered my question..now getting myself an orange cab
You're welcome. Orange cabs are awesome
Great video, I have a .Marshall head w broken jack so shorts out would like to fix it ...
What I did was to simply unplug the 1/4" amp speaker plug on the back of the amp, and plug in a 1/4" speaker cabinet cable and plug that into the speaker cabinet jack. No need to do all that in the video. Just make sure you use the proper Ohm speaker that works with the amp.
I did it to my Fender Super Champ X2 and it worked perfectly. 8 ohm to 8 ohm speaker (Warehouse Veteran 30 12" 8 ohm speaker).
There is no 1/4” amp speaker plug....
@@TheGuitarGeek You are correct. Your Katana 100 has no 1/4" plug. Many other amps do, though. It's a great mod if there is no plug.
Thanks Andy, great video which I’m guessing can apply to other amps too, maybe.
Pretty much any amp, yes
Will certainly do that one at a point!
If you need help ,just ask
Awesome info, thank you
A brilliant solution mate! Thank you tonnes. I’ll subscribe.
💪🏾😎🎸
I am looking at the mod to, but I want to still use the Katana speaker rather than just replace it. One way for me to do this is to use my Laney IRT112 cab which has a link speaker board and socket, and extend your jack into the Laney IRT112. However, there is also making sure the connection goes to an 8ohm speaker which you didnt say by the way. So a mod that maintains the use of the speaker that daisy chains other speakers would be useful if you could think of doing that so you can still use the Katana speaker
In this case I think the output would be too low to warrant doing it.
Hello, love your info videos
I’m very busy and all thumbs is there anyway I could get you make me this external speaker hookup?
Please do a vid with a 4x12 test and a 2x12 test...to see how good that Katana 100 sounds!💯
I'll do something for sure. Good idea
Hello G Geek. This is a very good tutorial. Big thanks. Do you have another video that teaches us on how to turn a combo amp, say Katana 1x12 or 2x12 into a cab which gets powered by a head produced by another company? Not sure if you get what I am trying to describe in my silly question. I really like the way you modify things which can be reversible and does not void the warranty. Cheers.
Same principle. Just unplug your speakers in the combo & connect them to whatever amp you are driving them with. Simple ohms law applies, of course.
Another Gem! Nice Andy
Cheers Glenn. I really appreciate it
Great video! I wanted to connect my Katana to my Marshall 4x12 and this will help. Question, will the Katana drive a 16ohm 4x12? I know the internal speaker is 8ohm, but is the Katana rated for 8ohm minimum or maximum? Thanks!
Hi. Thanks. The katana 100 will power 16 ohms but not 4 ohms
Nice work
Thank you Glen
I have the head/212 cabinet, because I wanted the speaker out and because I liked the sound of the 212 much better than the 100 combo. However, I have not had a chance to hear the Artist. I wonder how the 100H/212 stacks up against the Artist, tone wise? They are about the same cost.
i would still say the artist is "better" but i have not heard them side by side
Thank you for replying. Excellent.
You are welcome!
i want to hook it up to a 1x12 cab to make it a 2x12 amp...maybe changing the Katana's speaker for another one that's not based on the Greenback...is good for very old school metal...but i need more low end and roar
great tip
Hi there!....I am thinking to do that job to my Marshall MG30CFX. Should I be carefully with the impedance or can I use any 4-8 or 16 Ohms speakers?
I'll do it ! Tanks !
Great idea, thanks. One question; I'll be plugging into an old Marshall 212 cab with original greenbacks. The greenbacks are rated 30w each. Does that mean I can only use the 50w setting on the Katana, not the 100w. ? Thanks again.
I would play it safe and keep it on 50.
Thanks again.
QUESTION: Can you run TWO Boss Katana 2x12 cabinets off of ONE Boss Katana MKII 100Watt head? Can you connect the two cabinets safely together and to the head via a y-slit speaker cable? - i.e., a speaker cable Y-splitter out of the back of the head, with two speaker cables from the Y-splitter connected and one speaker cable to each cabinet. Is this a safe connection that will not harm the head or cabinet speakers; and, that will not void the Boss warranty on any of the units...?
Given this is a solid state amp head, versus a tube amp, I would think the above described connection would work fine, as long as the Ohms impedances are within spec for the head and both cabinets combined...?
Any help to understand this issue is greatly appreciated. I know the Katana MKII can run in stereo with two combo amps (one as a slave to the main). But,...I understand the question above is a different scenario than a master-slave stereo setup.
Can I power a 4x12 cab (8ohm) with this mod. (I have the 100 watt version). Awesome videos 👍👍
same question here...
Yep!
Wow, this is an awesome video.
What do you think sounds better?
Boss Katana 50mk2 or Boss Katana 100mk2?
Great tutorial, thanks very much, Im gonna have a go at this 😜
Is it possible to post a link with the exact items that was purchased for the Katana 100. It's the same one I have but I want to do this. Now how do I make sure so keep the right amount of omhs for the mod?
If you make the tails two separate lengths they could never touch anyway and still tape them as a precondition so they can’t short on anything else like the chassis.
Someone pointed this out. I feel stupid for not having done it
If you use the completely covered insulated spade connectors you wouldn't need to use heat shrink or tape and would be reversible and more user friendly.
I agree but they are not as secure as this method
Do you remember what size spade connecters connect to the Katana speaker?
Is there a way to hook up a 2x12 *in addition to* the 12" enclosed speaker? Curious...
Yes. I would make a box with three jacks, One wired to the amp with a resistor-for protection, And two to the speaker. One each to each tab set. So you can plug the cab straight to the head or head to internal with a jumper then series to the cab (series or parallel is all about impedance)
@@Aokitadamitsu Hi Tim and John. Am looking to do similar with Marshall 1936 wonder if that's possible? Normally use Valvestate 100w head but would like to use combo on top for gigs. Wonder if you can help. Thanks
@@robsmith8858 not sure I fully understand the circuit here.. Currently your doing a valvestate 100w running to a
Marshall 1936 2 x 12" Guitar Speaker Cabinet Features:
150-watt, 2 x 12" base cabinet
Celestion G12T-75W speaker
Selectable mono (8 ohms) or stereo (16 ohms) operation
are you using this as mono or stereo??
Now your wanting to go signal out from a combo-amp to the marshal 1936??
mono or stereo?
whats the feed to the marshal 1936?
@@Aokitadamitsu Thanks for such a quick response Tim, Yes I normally just take one lead from the cab into the amp so I guess it would be mono. There are two choices at the back of the cab but I dont pay any attention to where becuse it sounds the same to me anyway
Great mod.
Thanks
Well I want to use the amp speeker + a external speeker I think this is what most want to do. MORE POWER plus the stereo effect so to speak.
That’s not going to work, impedance will be off
question i have a katana mk 2 100 watt head and want to run into 2 412 cabs but only have one speaker out on the katana my marshal 4 12s have 4 ohm imput and seperate 16 ohm connection on them
Thanks for the advice! You know, you could probably sell those boxes.
If only o had the time!
Brilliant Andy. Especially as I have a 3 year warranty on my Katana. Could you tell me Where can you get the Palmer cab please and what Ohm rating should the speakers be ? 👍😊
I got the cab from Thomann and the rating should be 8 ohms. I'm actually building a few mod kits to order.
Great idea ! Let me know when they’re available 😊
They're available now. Just need to work out pricing.
Yes and yes. Please email me.
Email?
Unsure whether to just buy a powered frfr speaker like line 6 x2 for my katana air oit througj headphone rec out for loud playing or mod it to play through a normal guitar cab unsure unsure
Great video!
Thank you
If i do this mod would I be able to connect to a Randall RX412? I checked its impedance and its *ohms which the katana puts out on the 100w setting. Also the cable I would have to use I assume is a 1/4" speaker cable usually used to connect heads to a stack?
My 50 watt katana combo is about to be converted. I have a 2x12 cab wired up at 16 Ohms. Should I be ok to hook the katana into that or do I use my other cab of 8 Ohms? Im so bad with understanding ohms and what amps can connect to them.
Thank's a lot :) Too bad ! Already sold my Katana and bought the K. Artist :p But I do not regret it. Nice mod ! Thank's again
You are welcome!
great tutorial, thank you a lot
You’re welcome
Genius! Subscribed!
Thanks Mike. Have you done the Mod?
No. I liked the idea of owning a combo, but wanted to have the option of using an extension cabinet. I was leaning toward the head because it had that option. Thanks for helping to make up my mind. I will definitely get the combo, with the option of using a cabinet if I want.
100 or 50? I don’t really need 100, but would buy it just for the extra features. I did hear they updated the 50 so you can store presets 2 in A bank and 2 in a B bank. This might be all I needs for home use. Any thought? Thanks.
I would always go for the 100.
Nice job ... Best excuse to buy an external cab I can think of.
Have to wonder if you ever came across a Waza Cab to go with it on the cheap. Mind you at that price point you may as well buy the artist!
A used Waza cab would be interesting.... I think you're right about the price though.
I think the chances of one falling off the back of a legitimate lorry and onto my lap (ouch) is quite thin. I wonder if I can return my 100 and upgrade to an artist.
I have the 212 cabinet and have thought about getting the Waza drivers from Boss, if possible. Again, it may be cost prohibitive.
I want to do the opposite. To plugg a head amp into the katana. Like to try the mini joyo heads on the katana... clueless about how to go around it
Just do the half of my mod where I added a jack plug to the speaker cable that's connected to the speaker and connect that Jack to your joyo head
TheGuitarGeek really? Awesome. Going to try it! Cheers budd
Yeah really! Let me know how you get on
thanks dude! gotta.do this!.thanks!
Andy !! you had short hair here !! he he he :D
Very nice. Where did you buy the components? Thanks.
I got them from Mouser
Nice job, do you know if this will work for connecting cabinets (2x12 or 4x12) on the katana?
Thanks. Yep as long as you match the impedance
So, a 16 ohm 4x12 cab will not work properly? Thanks for the reply!
Why didnt you just use a 1/4" shunt jack?
Very likely a stupid question, but is the opposite possible? I can put a new amp head and use the Katana 50 Combo as a speaker only? Is it just the case of plugging the chain into to the new amp head and then it's a cable out of the amp head and into the input of the katana 50?
This is not a stupid question by the way. Using the Katana as a speaker only is possible to do! Someone has done it on UA-cam. Hope that helps!
So how would you make it to where the internal speaker and a 1x12 cab work together? Great video looking forward to trying this😀
For that you just add two cables to the speaker but it's not recommended to run two speakers unless you keep the impedance
at 8 ohms
That is a little risky. You need to watch impedance. If you don't know how to calculate it consult a local shop and have it done. Not something I would mess with.
A good tech could wire up a jack the would add a second speaker in series (8+8= 16 ohms) when you plug it in and run the stock speaker when you unplug the external cab. Do a google search. If you know a good amp tech I would recommend having it done. If the guy scratches his head when you ask him, find another tech.
How can you leave the katana speaker on and add a 2X12 cab. So you'd have 3 speakers on. The Katana would sound killerer
You’d have to match impedance and wire it differently.