Oh my god it's not even close. I'm not a tone snob but I can't believe that some think they are similar. The level of detail in the Artist is 500% higher.
@@TheGuitarGeek When you run the Katana 100 through the upgraded(Waza) speaker there's not any real discernible difference..at least not over UA-cam ! All the folks that claim they can tell the difference is falling for the "Placebo Syndrome" !
@@davidfrisken1617 that's the question I had, but I know for sure that wood and size of the cabinet, AND speaker performance play a big role in the sound you hear. Is it worth 250bucks difference ? Anothef comparison would be with the Katana 100 212 offering more headroom.
Wazaa! This video really helped me, was planning on buying the 100 tomorrow but was super annoyed by the placement of controls on the 100, wasn't aware the artist has the controls on the front. With the better speaker and front controls I'll now buy the artist despite the cost. Thank you for posting this, very well done!
It's really noticeable how much better the base response and clarity is with the Artist, it just so much fuller, balanced and rounded. Irrespective of the way the 100 and Artist are packaged, I believe the real difference is the Waza speaker. If you put the Waza speaker in the 100 I think you would struggle to choose between them.
@@JustinEthnostateArtist has a better speaker. people can buy the 100 mkii & 2 or 3 used speakers to swap in and out of it for different tones for same price as the artist.
The Artist wins. It sounds much wider and fuller, but only due to the cabinet and speaker. Keep the original Katana, add the speaker out and hook up an external cabinet for better sound.
or get another katana and play in stereo...or use one as FRFR with another amp...you can use these like powered speakers with fx using the power amp in.
Your side by side video structure is impeccable, thank you and well done. Most enjoyable and accurate too. I have both amps up and running right here. Earlier this year May 2018, I purchased my friends Kat 100 for $225, after he decided to get an Artist. After hearing the impact of the Waza components and the fuller, rounder tube like tones of the Artist, I trotted back down to my local GC and ponied up for an Artist for myself. Artist, and foot controller pedal NIB and out the door for $564. Now, I have both amps for $789, Now I'm thinking I need the Kat 100 Head amp, too. With the capabilities of the BTS app and the latest developments in solid state electronics, add in fewer working parts and no expensive tubes, this series is a long awaited happening. Add in the hundreds of people the world over working on interesting and creative low cost or free downloadable sound patches and magic is in the air. Now the problem is Hmmmmn, should i play the Paul or the SG ? or mebe today the TerribleTele. Thank you again for an excellent video
@@jessesmith2906 Thanks Jes, I had the Gen 1, and it was def a cut above the rest, regarding sound reproduction. In 2019 I sold off all the Kats to make room for new gear. And then reverted to my beloved tubes. Then the version MkIIs started to come out so I purchased a 100MkII combo on the idea of later adding a MkII Artist & creating a stereo rig for cheap. The Kat sits there NIB under cover waiting for the Artist. The real key here, imo, is the clever management of the BTS software to create good quality patches.
Thanks for the reply? If you only had one amp would you take the artist gen 1 or would you go for the 100w mkii gen 2? Cause i have the option to buy a artist 1gen for 280 used
Clifton Torrence gonna test it out today! That’s where I’m torn if it’s not worth it due to the outdated software. But supposedly the wazoo speaker sounds great.
Both amps are great but in my experience the Artist sounds n feels a upgraded katana. I hope they don't ruin the Artist with the mkII mods they've done to the 100 and 50 including different speaker.
Is the artist 2 as good as the mk ii 100? I just bought this. Im a tube guy. Its kinda good for the money you can't complain....But is the artist 2 like more realistic....Asking for someone outside the video...
I totally agree about the controls on the face of the amp being a big advantage. Another drag about top mounted controls is the possibility of damage due to accidental spills.
Thanks for the great video. To my ear the Artist was far superior. The 100 sounded squashed. Loks of head room in the Artist's highs and separtion from the clear bottom end. You can hear the full spectrum of tones where the 100 sounds compressed. WAZA
Thanks for the comparison. I just got a Katana 50 ( after 40+ years of tube amps- I've always been a huge fan of deludes, vibroluxes, and love my Peavey Delta Blues 210 w/ el84s). But the Katana is great- particularly because you don't need to muck around to find basic tones
Waza! You convinced me to get the Artist. Thank you so much; I can't wait! EDIT: I received the Artist and have had a chance to play with it thoroughly. GET THIS AMP! You will NOT regret it; Worth every single penny!!
@@jessesmith2906 I've gotten the MKII myself, and yes.. it's very worth it. The Waza speaker really is amazing. Plus.. 8 presets you can save and swap to quickly instead of just 4 is always great. Then there's the desktop software you can use for various things..
@@omarqabbani27 Get the Artist MK1 if you can't afford the Artist MK2. You get a bunch of software when connecting via usb using boss tone studios. you can add noise suppressors, tube screamers, EQ's and many more effects then save them onto the amp, creating your own presets so that you can use those when playing live or in your bedroom. I was playing my artist without using the boss katana studio for a while and boi, I constantly had the hiss and hum from my amp, but putting that noise suppressor on, EQ's and tube screamer made the artist amp sound 100x better, and it already sounded great to begin with. saved the preset onto my amp straight away, now I can use it even if I'm not connected to the pc and I don't have to go spend an extra 150 or so buying a Tube screamer, EQ and Noise Suppressor Pedals to fix those issues I was having. the solution was already there
If you are a beginner beginner (less than a year of playing) I would 100% recommend the katana 100 or katana 50. If you´re still a beginner but KNOW you´ll keep playing, i´d say go with the artist as it´s definitly better and therefor is a better longterm investment. However, the 100 is cheaper AND still very good.
Katana head w/ external cab(s) opens so many doors. Being limited to the same speakers all the time just isn't my cup of tea. That being said, the Artist speakers are killer and really add some nice full warmth in my opinion. WAZA
Great content! I ordered the katana 100 MK2, but now I'm convinced I need the katana artist in my life. It sounds much better, imo. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to make this video!
First of all - GREAT testing methodology, this really let me hear differences between both combo amps. BUT the cross-wiring demo was VERY insightful. So here's my observations: 1. The cabinet size, construction & speaker of the Artist DEFINITELY have an impact. 2. The amplifier circuit in the Artist SEEMS TO ME to be slightly more biased to Class A - this is a tweak sometimes used in HiFi amps. 3. The law of diminishing returns ALWAYS applies and if I owned the Katana 100, NO WAY I'd be upgrading to the Katana Artist. 4. I didn't own either, and was torn between the two choices here, my wife got annoyed at my indecision and just made me get the Katana Artist and the controller pedal. YES, that's just one of a million reasons I married her, and I surprised her by buying her a bass guitar - she's a MASSIVE Bootsy Collins fan. See, that's yet another reason I married here. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, WAZA!!!
WASA!!! I have a 100 and love it. I think sound wise they sound the same through the Artist speaker. Thanks for the video very informative. Cheers!! John Russell (75 year young Rocker now in a rocker ;) in the U.S.A.(Born in Portsmouth U.K)
Well, I pulled that trigger on the Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 with the GA FC EX foot controller and Bluetooth adapter, I'm currently waiting for it to be delivered! I want to thank you for all your informative videos on the Katana Artist and the GA FC EX! It helped me make my decision! 😁🤘🎸
Waza! Great review. I’d say the bulk of the tone difference is in the speaker. The other artist vs. 100 review with two clowns playing together with different guitars was laughably pointless. Thanks for having a clue. I’ll be putting a steel guitar through both in the morning. Anxious to see the results!
this is exciting. The improved speaker plus the improved cab size and build makes a big difference. Knowing how good the artist is as just a cab, it opens up the option of getting a separate tube pre-amp head or pedal and using it with the artist as a cab/power amp, and you get the best of both worlds.
Great review! I didn’t know if upgrading my 100 to the artist was a good idea, now I know it is the best way to go! At the end you are very right it all depends on what does the user likes, and definitely I like very much the way the artist sounds. So thanks for your fantastic and very accurate review about the sound and tones of this two fantastic amplifiers.
I have a Katana 100 1x12 and footswitch for over a year now. I like the sound of the Artist, but after seeing some reviews side by side like yours. I was at Sweetwater GearFest on June 22 and seen they had the Katana head on sale for $299.79. I pick one up, because I had Marshall 4x12 cabinet at home. If I did not all ready have a Katana I would of got the Artist. I'm keeping the 100 combo because I have 2 grand daughters learning to play the guitar and when come over we can jam out in the garage. I have the garage heated. Plus one day I want to build my own 2X12 speaker cabinet out of birch plywood.
I have gigged both and I can confirm that the Artist has a much bigger and more "pro" tone, and easily has enough punch and spread to play a big club unmic'd ...superb. A pair of these would do anything you need. It's like a pro version of the 100. The amp itself sounds and feels like a redesign too....unlike the mkII 100 which just sounds cheap!!
Waza here. Artist model is on sale in Canada now - makes the decision easier. Thanks - great depth in the review, especially when using the same speaker in both. Keep it up!
WAZA! Great comparison here. Just getting back into playing with all this Covid lockdown and was going with a Katana 100 1x12 until i saw this. The sound of the Artist really comes across alot nicer and that front panel is just a huge bonus
WAZA!! I just sold my ENTIRE analog pedal rig (14 pedals) and Fender Tone Master Twin, and went with the BOSS GT 1000 Core and The Katana Artist! So Far So Good! Thanks for the video. New subscriber as well!
Personally, I felt maybe the Artist came out marginally ahead of the 100, but real close, Having the controls on the front does make a huge difference, but again, that's a personal preference.........and WAZA
Waza...... Super vid thanks. I just ordered an Artist after selling my Marshall JVM 205H. Lovely amp but a stage amp where slight noise isn't even an issue, not so much fun at quietish gigs or rehearsals. Figured an Artist K could knock over a few pins in the bowling alley at once. If I need serious noise my Ulbrick 2X12 can be hooked up, otherwise all I'm lugging around is the Artist and maybe three pedals at the most. Your great tests confirmed exactly what I'd hoped which is that Roland have inched that much closer to a seriously good tone without the glass vials. And I gather the programmable sounds are typical BOSS pedal tone hot. Good job!
If I were to hear the Katana alone, I’d be perfectly happy! And as an amateur that doesn’t gig, I’m sure it’d be more than adequate for me. BUT there is absolutely no denying that the Artist has some extra mojo that the Katana doesn’t, in the lower end obviously. The cost is a bit more but I believe worth it.
I just bought an Artist. The controls on the front panel is what sold me. Having the controls on top would have been a constant irritation. Any improvement in the tone over the 100 is a bonus. Thank you for the video! 😎👍🎸 Waza!!!!
The tones from the 100 sound better when played through the Artist, which means it's the speaker and cab that area making the difference here. Wow, to me, the overall package of the Artist gives it the edge here.
Waza! Nice video. I have been trying to decide on which of these for about a week. The Artist sounds a little better to me, but the real advantage is the front controls. I've had a Blues Jr. for 10 years, still hate the top controls.
KATANA Artist seemed louder and had a little more bottom BUT I don't think it's worth the extra money so I will buy the Boss Katana 100 1x12 with a footswitch. Blues On.... & thanks.
WAZA! Great channel and you've got a new subscriber! Just bought the artist mkII but i'm struggling to find a good metal live tone. I would love if you could do a video on metal specifically with the artist. Cheers!
Wazza Thanks for this, I don't have a Katana and the toss up between these two is so hard - artist updates or 100 v overall £cost. For me it also probably relates to factoring in a foot control as well.
I wound up with the 100 after your demo and review. While I do think the artist has an edge the 100 will do everything I need and make me happy for a few dollars less. Thanks for the info.
I just purchased he Artist and I was hoping to find a review just like this! Excellent review and comparison. Thank you very much, great job! New subscriber. WAZA!
Waza! Excellent idea using a looper and ab switch. I didn't notice too much difference regarding the preamp, I think the sound difference is around the loudspeaker and the cabinet of the Artist, which for my ears seems to shape the sound a bit better.
I gig my Katana, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in the mix, the price, and weight hike mean the Artist is not for me. Thanks for the review, best wishes Waza👍😉
TheGuitarGeek well the comment I replied on made the OP seem like he thought there was a difference. Both are 12” 100W amps. Now yes different speakers sound different but all coming from the same company one would assume that the output level on both units is within a few decibels. Also he said the “bigger” one which is more of a design aesthetic to get the knobs to the front.
i have the artist and it gets the PRECISE tones of players like jimi hendrix or john frusciante (RHCP) and MANY more! I use ssl-1 vintage pickups in my strats and the tones are incredible! GREAT REVIEW!
first off man I found your channel recently and I love your content! I just purchased the artist and for me its night and day between the two. The artist is extremely versatile and the base tones are amazing. run a cry baby thru it and you'll never stop playing it
I am used to tweaking settings on the top with tube amps, so the 100 Katana will do it for me, the foot switch offers you an extra layer of convenience also
I am almost sold on the Katana based on your videos. I would love to see the Katana artist produced in a 212 configuration. That would really bring it home for me. Waza.
Just discovered this shootout. Great A/B comparison! I listened to this through my Surface Pro speakers, and the Artist clearly had more depth and clarity. But running the 100 through the Artist speaker... hmm... I'm not sure that the Artist was tuned because they sound VERY close once the 100 is using the Artist speaker and that would make me lean towards the 100. But that said, if I got the 100, based on the 100 running through the Artist speaker in the demo, I'd probably swap the 100's speaker out for one of the new Jensen D-series speakers. That would narrow the price differential significantly. Add to that the front panel controls of the Artist, which makes it infinitely more easy to adjust live when the amp is on a stand, at least for me, the Artist wins hands-down. I had the Katana 50 (loved that amp, but gave it to my son), and it was a bit of a pain to adjust live. Price-wise, yes, it's getting into low-wattage tube amp territory. But consider this: EL-84, 6V6, 6L6, EL-34, KT-88... they all have a specific sound and character and there's not much versatility. Plus, you have so much less control over output volume with a tube amp unless you get an attenuator or some other contraption (like an iso box), which means you'll have to invest even more money to tame a tube amp's volume. While the Katana does have a sound all its own, it offers a lot more versatility than a comparably priced tube amp.
Although I have the Katana 50, I just bought the Katana 100 head to use with a Blackstar 2-12 cab. It's an open cab with two 80/70 celestion speakers. The deal I got for the head and the footswitch was to good to pass up. $360 for both. Played through it last night and the first impression was it was loud so it'll take some getting use too. May have to put a volume pedal in the loop to tame the beast. only used the crunch channel because was more than enough gain for me. Once I dial it in, I'm sure it'll work out. May change the speakers or ge a closed back cab.
KATANA Artist seemed louder and had a little more bottom BUT I don't think it's worth the extra money so I will buy the Boss Katana 100 1x12 with a footswitch. Blues On.... & thanks.
With the foot switch in use, there is barely any need to touch the controls anyway - so why is this such a big deal?? I really can't imagine anyone buying the 100 or the Artist and not getting the foot switch also - that foot switch is really the lynch pin for this amp imo!
So... The amps are totally identical. Clearly the Artist sounds better when you play side by side!! But when you run the 100 through the Artist... no difference whatsoever!!! Tweaking the amp for the Artist, Boss??? Yeah, right!!!
Well, it's beyond proven that the artist has a class A/B power section, and the 100 is class D. Both are nice. The 100 speaker is modelled after the Celestion G12-T75 while the artist is a high powered greenback/creamback. Preamp modelling section is the same. Also the artist brings out the lineout airfeel, and the resonance controls, that on the 100 you have to set in tone studio. The artist is a nicer buy than the 100 + a Celestion creamback.
I'm at a crossroads. Done so much research (much from your channel alone) and this comparison really clarified the differences. The obvious is the control panel on the front. But shoot, the tone comparison sealed the deal. The Artist really shines there. Thank you!
Absolutely 100% The Artist The front panel control's are a huge thing for me for sure not to mention all the extra features..ive owned 2of the Katana markii 50's and loved them both but they didn't have all the outputs I needed so its time to buy the artist for me. I've made up my mind . It's all ill ever need for my home studio, practicing or a small jam session with a group of friends.I know this video is 6 years old but I've watched alot if your recent video and im a subscriber and Honestly Value your opinion Alot..Thanks so much
I have a Fender blue junior and already had to replace power amp tubes. It's great for clean tones but i still can't find a good sounding pedal, so i bought a Katana 50 and I LOVE IT!!! I should've bought the katana immediately after starting with electric guitar. But i saw your videos about the artist and the foot switch and i was sold. I ordered it today from Sweetwater, and the switch. Came to just over $800 with tax!!! But now i can donate the katana 50 to my daughter, which is good! Thank you for your intelligent orderly and complete reviews.
Running the 100 Mk1 into the Artist's speaker made them sound equal. Since I have the Mk1 head, I already get to run into a cab! I totally agree that the "rear" control knobs/buttons placement is a disadvantage! So easy solution....turn the Mk1 head "face down", and all the controls are up front!!
WAZA Great video. The panel on the front is a deal maker along with the WAZA Craft speaker. The extra cost is not an issue. I own a tube amp already with a 2x12 cabinet. You just pushed the edge for me to go big or go home. It's the Artist for me.
Waza ... pppp . Hey this was very well done and really helps me with the decision . . . swap up from K 50 to this unit. Happy to subscribe . . . like the way you asked at the END instead of the beginning like so many others. Lookin' forward to taggin' along .
Waza, Andy just wanted you to knoe that even 4 years later your videos are still helping people make good choices. Artist I think is in my future. Thanks Mate!
Same. Have been weighing same choice, and this is by far the best comparison/demo I've found. Going Artist for all the reasons already mentioned. 4 years late to the party but thank you!
Great video mate. Thanks for making the time to do it. Early in the video it was obvious to me that the Artist was better in tonal quality , both treble and bass (and in-between) No doubt about it. Later it was a little harder. I previously listened to all the comparisons I could find, and now firmly believe the Artist to be of superior sound. I'm a bit of a tone freak, and if you get the Artist, as I have 'now', you will have a better sounding amp. I understand the $$$$$ are more, but that's a decision for the buyer to figure out. However, the Waza speaker and front panel were a no brainers. For me it's not ''placebo syndrome", but experience of 40 years playing and owning many amps including the 50sFender Tweed and 60s Blackface models. (Tube amps)
This is hands down the best comparison video I've seen. Great methodology. The artist is clearly better in terms of the speaker. The 100 sounds like a partially obstructed artist. Everything just flattened a bit and muffled. The comparison through the same speaker was much closer, and I think at that point really just a matter of taste. Waza!
WAZA This was one of the best comparison videos I have seen. (I did watch it to the end!) Too often different guitars are used on the amps being compared. Having the software set the same on both amps is a great starting point, and something that can't be done comparing different brands. Knob positions being in the same place on amps from different manufacturers doesn't mean much as the designs of the amps are different and the impact of the settings is not universal. Using the looper and playing the loop through both was a great idea. Thanks.
Oh man. You hit it on the head. I hate the panel on back of top. My GOD. I thought I was crazy. I was so relieved to hear you say that. I’ve been thinking about the Artist for that reason.
It's this video that made me buy the Artist just last night. For me too, the Waza speaker and the front panel configuration made the sell. Money wise, I but it used with 6 months garantied, on Sweetwater.
Am I the only one that can hear a tremendous difference in favor of the Artist?
Do you mean when they are both plugged into the artist speaker?
Oh my god it's not even close. I'm not a tone snob but I can't believe that some think they are similar. The level of detail in the Artist is 500% higher.
@@TheGuitarGeek When you run the Katana 100 through the upgraded(Waza) speaker there's not any real discernible difference..at least not over UA-cam ! All the folks that claim they can tell the difference is falling for the "Placebo Syndrome" !
Hey, the R word! But, yes, placebo syndrome is a bad band name.
No, there is a nice difference.
WAZA... excellent video. I'm an engineer by trade, and I appreciate the systematic approach you've taken to accurately compares these amps. Thank you!
such a perfect way to compare amps, well done! All other reviewers should take note, use a looper and an a/b switch to hear back to back quickly
Thanks man. It really is the only way
one thing he didn't try is comparing the recording outs of the amps thus eliminating the speakers.
EQ could have made them closer
@@davidfrisken1617 that's the question I had, but I know for sure that wood and size of the cabinet, AND speaker performance play a big role in the sound you hear. Is it worth 250bucks difference ? Anothef comparison would be with the Katana 100 212 offering more headroom.
Wazaa! This video really helped me, was planning on buying the 100 tomorrow but was super annoyed by the placement of controls on the 100, wasn't aware the artist has the controls on the front. With the better speaker and front controls I'll now buy the artist despite the cost. Thank you for posting this, very well done!
It's really noticeable how much better the base response and clarity is with the Artist, it just so much fuller, balanced and rounded. Irrespective of the way the 100 and Artist are packaged, I believe the real difference is the Waza speaker. If you put the Waza speaker in the 100 I think you would struggle to choose between them.
Either that,or just use a eq pedal,i did,and it,s fuller and more bass sounding than the artist.
Yep. The only diff seems to be the speaker. So buy or build a speaker cab and buy the cheaper head.
What do you think was happening in this video? Artist mkii amp is head and shoulders beyond the 100 mkii
@@JustinEthnostateArtist has a better speaker. people can buy the 100 mkii & 2 or 3 used speakers to swap in and out of it for different tones for same price as the artist.
It's a different amp too. You don't know what you're talking about@@gentelmanjunkie542
The Artist wins. It sounds much wider and fuller, but only due to the cabinet and speaker. Keep the original Katana, add the speaker out and hook up an external cabinet for better sound.
Adding the external cab REALLY makes a difference
I've seen people doing such thing already, great advice!
What about adding a second 100 watt and running it in stereo? Will that make a difference or just create more of the same tone?
or get another katana and play in stereo...or use one as FRFR with another amp...you can use these like powered speakers with fx using the power amp in.
The head and cabinet closet $100+ more than the artist though. Unless you already have a cabinet laying around.
I love your aby box technique for review amps!!!! Awesome review man!!!
Thanks man, it's the only way to do it fairly
Your side by side video structure is impeccable, thank you and well done. Most enjoyable and accurate too. I have both amps up and running right here.
Earlier this year May 2018, I purchased my friends Kat 100 for $225, after he decided to get an Artist. After hearing the impact of the Waza components and the fuller, rounder tube like tones of the Artist, I trotted back down to my local GC and ponied up for an Artist for myself. Artist, and foot controller pedal NIB and out the door for $564. Now, I have both amps for $789, Now I'm thinking I need the Kat 100 Head amp, too. With the capabilities of the BTS app and the latest developments in solid state electronics, add in fewer working parts and no expensive tubes, this series is a long awaited happening. Add in the hundreds of people the world over working on interesting and creative low cost or free downloadable sound patches and magic is in the air. Now the problem is Hmmmmn, should i play the Paul or the SG ? or mebe today the TerribleTele.
Thank you again for an excellent video
Did you get the Gen 1 or gen 2 artist?
@@jessesmith2906 Thanks Jes, I had the Gen 1, and it was def a cut above the rest, regarding sound reproduction. In 2019 I sold off all the Kats to make room for new gear. And then reverted to my beloved tubes. Then the version MkIIs started to come out so I purchased a 100MkII combo on the idea of later adding a MkII Artist & creating a stereo rig for cheap. The Kat sits there NIB under cover waiting for the Artist. The real key here, imo, is the clever management of the BTS software to create good quality patches.
Thanks for the reply? If you only had one amp would you take the artist gen 1 or would you go for the 100w mkii gen 2? Cause i have the option to buy a artist 1gen for 280 used
@@jessesmith2906 well, an artist for 280? a deal indeed if all is good with it.
Clifton Torrence gonna test it out today! That’s where I’m torn if it’s not worth it due to the outdated software. But supposedly the wazoo speaker sounds great.
The artist has more clarity and less muddy. Anybody else notice this or is it all in my head?
The artist was much better IMO.
Me too. That's right...more clarity in the Artist
You are absolutely right. The Artist sounds better on every sample.
Both amps are great but in my experience the Artist sounds n feels a upgraded katana. I hope they don't ruin the Artist with the mkII mods they've done to the 100 and 50 including different speaker.
Is the artist 2 as good as the mk ii 100? I just bought this. Im a tube guy. Its kinda good for the money you can't complain....But is the artist 2 like more realistic....Asking for someone outside the video...
WAZA! Excellent job. I appreciate your meticulous approach in both set-up (including graphics) and concise delivery.
I totally agree about the controls on the face of the amp being a big advantage. Another drag about top mounted controls is the possibility of damage due to accidental spills.
Yep. Bong water is a bastard.
@@davidfrisken1617🤣
why do guitarist use their amps as a coaster??🤣
Thanks for the great video. To my ear the Artist was far superior. The 100 sounded squashed. Loks of head room in the Artist's highs and separtion from the clear bottom end. You can hear the full spectrum of tones where the 100 sounds compressed. WAZA
Thanks for the comparison. I just got a Katana 50 ( after 40+ years of tube amps- I've always been a huge fan of deludes, vibroluxes, and love my Peavey Delta Blues 210 w/ el84s). But the Katana is great- particularly because you don't need to muck around to find basic tones
Waza! You convinced me to get the Artist. Thank you so much; I can't wait!
EDIT: I received the Artist and have had a chance to play with it thoroughly. GET THIS AMP! You will NOT regret it; Worth every single penny!!
Did you get the mki or mkii (gen1 or gen2)
@@jessesmith2906 I've gotten the MKII myself, and yes.. it's very worth it. The Waza speaker really is amazing.
Plus.. 8 presets you can save and swap to quickly instead of just 4 is always great.
Then there's the desktop software you can use for various things..
@@Requimatic is it worth it to pay the extra $250 for the artist? I’m a beginner who only plays at home, what do you think?
@@omarqabbani27 Get the Artist MK1 if you can't afford the Artist MK2. You get a bunch of software when connecting via usb using boss tone studios. you can add noise suppressors, tube screamers, EQ's and many more effects then save them onto the amp, creating your own presets so that you can use those when playing live or in your bedroom. I was playing my artist without using the boss katana studio for a while and boi, I constantly had the hiss and hum from my amp, but putting that noise suppressor on, EQ's and tube screamer made the artist amp sound 100x better, and it already sounded great to begin with. saved the preset onto my amp straight away, now I can use it even if I'm not connected to the pc and I don't have to go spend an extra 150 or so buying a Tube screamer, EQ and Noise Suppressor Pedals to fix those issues I was having. the solution was already there
If you are a beginner beginner (less than a year of playing) I would 100% recommend the katana 100 or katana 50. If you´re still a beginner but KNOW you´ll keep playing, i´d say go with the artist as it´s definitly better and therefor is a better longterm investment. However, the 100 is cheaper AND still very good.
No other guitar related channel has the production quality of this one
So you've never seen Pete Thorn or That Pedal Show or Rhett Shull or the thousands of other amazing guitar channels with production quality content?
Katana head w/ external cab(s) opens so many doors. Being limited to the same speakers all the time just isn't my cup of tea. That being said, the Artist speakers are killer and really add some nice full warmth in my opinion. WAZA
i love the combo portability but more cabs are great!
That's why I want to get a Katana mk2 head, and run it through my Mesa 4x12.
Get the head and cab ver: i did its great
There’s a speaker out on the artist for a cab as well
Great content! I ordered the katana 100 MK2, but now I'm convinced I need the katana artist in my life. It sounds much better, imo. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to make this video!
You’re welcome mate. I would hold off for a bit in case they release a katana artist mk ii
You should compare the artist to the mk2. 👍
Difference can be heard without headphones, holy $hit
Waza up! Amazing comparison video on these two amps. Just ordered the Katana Mk II Artist upgrading from the Katana 50.
Great Comparison, I wonder why more reviewers don't A/B a loop into 2 different amps for comparison?? Brilliant!!! WAZA
No idea but it's my preferred method
First of all - GREAT testing methodology, this really let me hear differences between both combo amps. BUT the cross-wiring demo was VERY insightful. So here's my observations: 1. The cabinet size, construction & speaker of the Artist DEFINITELY have an impact. 2. The amplifier circuit in the Artist SEEMS TO ME to be slightly more biased to Class A - this is a tweak sometimes used in HiFi amps. 3. The law of diminishing returns ALWAYS applies and if I owned the Katana 100, NO WAY I'd be upgrading to the Katana Artist. 4. I didn't own either, and was torn between the two choices here, my wife got annoyed at my indecision and just made me get the Katana Artist and the controller pedal. YES, that's just one of a million reasons I married her, and I surprised her by buying her a bass guitar - she's a MASSIVE Bootsy Collins fan. See, that's yet another reason I married here. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, WAZA!!!
thank you, I need to be as accurate as possible or there's no point in doing this video. Does your wife have a sister? :)
Wazzzap!!!
Waza
:)
Erm...could I borrow you both for one day at the music shop?
Waza -Just pushed me over the edge for an Artist - Even through UA-cam my ears you can hear the differance. Great stuff - thanks..
WASA!!! I have a 100 and love it. I think sound wise they sound the same through the Artist speaker. Thanks for the video very informative. Cheers!!
John Russell (75 year young Rocker now in a rocker ;) in the U.S.A.(Born in Portsmouth U.K)
Well, I pulled that trigger on the Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 with the GA FC EX foot controller and Bluetooth adapter, I'm currently waiting for it to be delivered! I want to thank you for all your informative videos on the Katana Artist and the GA FC EX! It helped me make my decision! 😁🤘🎸
Waza! Great review. I’d say the bulk of the tone difference is in the speaker. The other artist vs. 100 review with two clowns playing together with different guitars was laughably pointless. Thanks for having a clue. I’ll be putting a steel guitar through both in the morning. Anxious to see the results!
Have fun! For me, the artist is worth it
What was the conclusion for you? I'm very interested to hear
So glad you did this. I was hoping you would but hadn’t asked so yay! Honestly though - you’re really doing a service here.
Cheers Joseph! Please like and share to help me out. Maybe even get yourself a t-shirt if you're feeling very supportive!
TheGuitarGeek Will do on all three counts. Stay cool.
You're the man!
I updated my Katana 100 with a Celestion Redback and it totally changed the amp, loving it! The stock speaker just doesn’t do the amp any justice.
At that price why not just buy the Artist
this is exciting. The improved speaker plus the improved cab size and build makes a big difference. Knowing how good the artist is as just a cab, it opens up the option of getting a separate tube pre-amp head or pedal and using it with the artist as a cab/power amp, and you get the best of both worlds.
Yes Max!
Not really, that would a lot of money spent for no reason.
Thanks , this has helped me decide to get the Artist. You can clearly hear the difference between the two.
Great review! I didn’t know if upgrading my 100 to the artist was a good idea, now I know it is the best way to go! At the end you are very right it all depends on what does the user likes, and definitely I like very much the way the artist sounds. So thanks for your fantastic and very accurate review about the sound and tones of this two fantastic amplifiers.
I have a Katana 100 1x12 and footswitch for over a year now. I like the sound of the Artist, but after seeing some reviews side by side like yours. I was at Sweetwater GearFest on June 22 and seen they had the Katana head on sale for $299.79. I pick one up, because I had Marshall 4x12 cabinet at home. If I did not all ready have a Katana I would of got the Artist. I'm keeping the 100 combo because I have 2 grand daughters learning to play the guitar and when come over we can jam out in the garage. I have the garage heated. Plus one day I want to build my own 2X12 speaker cabinet out of birch plywood.
That was a great move
Jamming with family is great. I hope to do that too one day
I have gigged both and I can confirm that the Artist has a much bigger and more "pro" tone, and easily has enough punch and spread to play a big club unmic'd ...superb. A pair of these would do anything you need. It's like a pro version of the 100. The amp itself sounds and feels like a redesign too....unlike the mkII 100 which just sounds cheap!!
its just the speaker dude. cheap speakers in cheaper amp
@@godsinbox did you watch the video with the sound muted or something?
Waza here. Artist model is on sale in Canada now - makes the decision easier. Thanks - great depth in the review, especially when using the same speaker in both. Keep it up!
WAZA! Great comparison here. Just getting back into playing with all this Covid lockdown and was going with a Katana 100 1x12 until i saw this. The sound of the Artist really comes across alot nicer and that front panel is just a huge bonus
Waza - I’ve bought the artist, and lovin’ it. Don’t care about the price, for me it’s close to a perfect amp
WAZA...I am thinking of getting the artist. This video helped immensely. Thank you, sir!
You’re very welcome
@@TheGuitarGeek I just received an unexpected end of year bonus. My Artist arrives next week. Thanks again. Love your work.
WAZA. Best side by side comparison ever! You’ll be my go-to for reviews and comp videos 👍
WAZA!! I just sold my ENTIRE analog pedal rig (14 pedals) and Fender Tone Master Twin, and went with the BOSS GT 1000 Core and The Katana Artist! So Far So Good! Thanks for the video. New subscriber as well!
Can we get “cowboys from hell”
Mom: we have “cowboys from hell” at home
“Cowboys from hell” at home 4:25
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Great point on the front panel. As clean as the 100 looks, still nice having a front panel. AND it has that nice tolex too. Boss is killing it.
Personally, I felt maybe the Artist came out marginally ahead of the 100, but real close, Having the controls on the front does make a huge difference, but again, that's a personal preference.........and WAZA
Cheers Kevin. I'm with you on that
In person, the bass is reasonably different and more pronounced in the waza artist cab
Artist sounded a lot better to me. I just wish the price made more sense.
Is "WAZA" Japanese for "tack an extra $100 onto the price"?
The fuck is waza
Waza...... Super vid thanks. I just ordered an Artist after selling my Marshall JVM 205H. Lovely amp but a stage amp where slight noise isn't even an issue, not so much fun at quietish gigs or rehearsals. Figured an Artist K could knock over a few pins in the bowling alley at once. If I need serious noise my Ulbrick 2X12 can be hooked up, otherwise all I'm lugging around is the Artist and maybe three pedals at the most. Your great tests confirmed exactly what I'd hoped which is that Roland have inched that much closer to a seriously good tone without the glass vials. And I gather the programmable sounds are typical BOSS pedal tone hot. Good job!
wow dude.. this was a badd ass "controlled experiment" with how you set everything up..
hats off man..
Definitely the speaker that makes the difference.
If I were to hear the Katana alone, I’d be perfectly happy! And as an amateur that doesn’t gig, I’m sure it’d be more than adequate for me. BUT there is absolutely no denying that the Artist has some extra mojo that the Katana doesn’t, in the lower end obviously. The cost is a bit more but I believe worth it.
Wazaaaa! Thanks for the awesome video! Exactly what I needed and what I was hoping to see. You're the man, Andrew!
Thank you very much for watching. Could I interest you in a T-shirt? ;)
Paintbrush!
I just bought an Artist.
The controls on the front panel is what sold me. Having the controls on top would have been a constant irritation. Any improvement in the tone over the 100 is a bonus. Thank you for the video! 😎👍🎸
Waza!!!!
Well done and how you explained and how you set the neutral way of comparison
The tones from the 100 sound better when played through the Artist, which means it's the speaker and cab that area making the difference here. Wow, to me, the overall package of the Artist gives it the edge here.
I agree dude. Video coming of the artist mk 1 vs the artist mk 2 next week
Waza! Nice video. I have been trying to decide on which of these for about a week. The Artist sounds a little better to me, but the real advantage is the front controls. I've had a Blues Jr. for 10 years, still hate the top controls.
KATANA Artist seemed louder and had a little more bottom BUT I don't think it's worth the extra money so I will buy the Boss Katana 100 1x12 with a footswitch. Blues On.... & thanks.
I bought and sold a Katana 50, but tonight I played a Katana 100 Artist and loved it. I just might be bringing one home tomorrow
WAZA! Great channel and you've got a new subscriber!
Just bought the artist mkII but i'm struggling to find a good metal live tone. I would love if you could do a video on metal specifically with the artist. Cheers!
Wazza
Thanks for this, I don't have a Katana and the toss up between these two is so hard - artist updates or 100 v overall £cost. For me it also probably relates to factoring in a foot control as well.
I wound up with the 100 after your demo and review. While I do think the artist has an edge the 100 will do everything I need and make me happy for a few dollars less. Thanks for the info.
I love the 100. The artist with the front panel makes it easier for me. The sound of the 100 is stellar.
Hmm, $150 for a speaker and cabinet upgrade. That's not ***that*** bad. The artist speaker is worth it and I am a fan of front panels. WAZA!
Better go back to math class.. $599 minus $359 = $240
✌🏻
I just purchased he Artist and I was hoping to find a review just like this! Excellent review and comparison. Thank you very much, great job! New subscriber. WAZA!
Waza! Excellent idea using a looper and ab switch. I didn't notice too much difference regarding the preamp, I think the sound difference is around the loudspeaker and the cabinet of the Artist, which for my ears seems to shape the sound a bit better.
I gig my Katana, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in the mix, the price, and weight hike mean the Artist is not for me. Thanks for the review, best wishes Waza👍😉
Cheers Steve. I love the weight of the 100. I happily sacrificed the 5kg for the front panel though.
I think I would too were I as young as you👍
Waza indeed. They both sounded great but the bigger one would probably be able to keep up with a loud kit drummer better.
Even the 50 goes well with a drummer believe it or not!
Bro... They are both the same. They are both 100W.
Both being 100w does not make them the same
TheGuitarGeek well the comment I replied on made the OP seem like he thought there was a difference. Both are 12” 100W amps. Now yes different speakers sound different but all coming from the same company one would assume that the output level on both units is within a few decibels.
Also he said the “bigger” one which is more of a design aesthetic to get the knobs to the front.
He is confused by the assumptions you make. He does enjoy how you are dissecting His videos.
i have the artist and it gets the PRECISE tones of players like jimi hendrix or john frusciante (RHCP) and MANY more! I use ssl-1 vintage pickups in my strats and the tones are incredible! GREAT REVIEW!
This was a great comparison thank you!
Waiting for boss katana artist head with 412 matching cab (waza😁😁😍😍😍😋😋😋)
Your setup and protocols are the gold standard for comparing the two amps. Well Done!
Wow, thanks!
Amazing review, the Artist sounds so much better. So sad it's quite out of my budget now. I might get the 100 tho. WAZA!
Its deffo worth saving a few months for the extra £150
Waza. Great review, thanks. I have a Katana 100 MK II, and hopefully it will change places with an Artist tomorrow!
first off man I found your channel recently and I love your content! I just purchased the artist and for me its night and day between the two. The artist is extremely versatile and the base tones are amazing. run a cry baby thru it and you'll never stop playing it
I am used to tweaking settings on the top with tube amps, so the 100 Katana will do it for me, the foot switch offers you an extra layer of convenience also
Good point. I have always preferred front panel amps though
I think it's all in the speaker.... Do the speaker out mod, and buy a cab. WAZA!
cheers Ron
That was a very helpful review and your conclusion/ advice is excellent. I've decided to upgrade from my katana 50 Mark II to the artist model 👍
I am almost sold on the Katana based on your videos. I would love to see the Katana artist produced in a 212 configuration. That would really bring it home for me. Waza.
Hi! That would be very cool. I'm not sure it needs it though
Excellent video and comparison. Thinking of getting the Artist, so appreciate your video!
WAZA
the Artist wins for me, LOVING how tight that sounds!
Just discovered this shootout. Great A/B comparison! I listened to this through my Surface Pro speakers, and the Artist clearly had more depth and clarity. But running the 100 through the Artist speaker... hmm... I'm not sure that the Artist was tuned because they sound VERY close once the 100 is using the Artist speaker and that would make me lean towards the 100. But that said, if I got the 100, based on the 100 running through the Artist speaker in the demo, I'd probably swap the 100's speaker out for one of the new Jensen D-series speakers. That would narrow the price differential significantly.
Add to that the front panel controls of the Artist, which makes it infinitely more easy to adjust live when the amp is on a stand, at least for me, the Artist wins hands-down. I had the Katana 50 (loved that amp, but gave it to my son), and it was a bit of a pain to adjust live.
Price-wise, yes, it's getting into low-wattage tube amp territory. But consider this: EL-84, 6V6, 6L6, EL-34, KT-88... they all have a specific sound and character and there's not much versatility. Plus, you have so much less control over output volume with a tube amp unless you get an attenuator or some other contraption (like an iso box), which means you'll have to invest even more money to tame a tube amp's volume. While the Katana does have a sound all its own, it offers a lot more versatility than a comparably priced tube amp.
Like this if you think the Katana sounded the best...
Although I have the Katana 50, I just bought the Katana 100 head to use with a Blackstar 2-12 cab. It's an open cab with two 80/70 celestion speakers. The deal I got for the head and the footswitch was to good to pass up. $360 for both. Played through it last night and the first impression was it was loud so it'll take some getting use too. May have to put a volume pedal in the loop to tame the beast. only used the crunch channel because was more than enough gain for me. Once I dial it in, I'm sure it'll work out. May change the speakers or ge a closed back cab.
That's going to be quite a setup
Awesome!
KATANA Artist seemed louder and had a little more bottom BUT I don't think it's worth the extra money so I will buy the Boss Katana 100 1x12 with a footswitch. Blues On.... & thanks.
The 100n is such a great amp. When you get it... look up my speaker mod for it
waza. I think the 100 for €300 is unbeatable
I agree that the price is shockingly low. If it weren't for that damned front panel on the artist I could have saved some money!
I agree Front Panel is much better, much easier to do the settings
With the foot switch in use, there is barely any need to touch the controls anyway - so why is this such a big deal?? I really can't imagine anyone buying the 100 or the Artist and not getting the foot switch also - that foot switch is really the lynch pin for this amp imo!
I have to disagree with you Jon. I regularly tweak and adjust
I'm just not that sophisticated (or picky) I guess.......
WAZA! Great info. Like you, I really value controls on the front. The Artist also sounded fuller/warmer replicating frequencies. Thank you again.
Waza- upgrading from a K50MII and was torn between the 100 and Artist - sold me on the Artist thx so much!
WAAAAZAAAAAAAA. I guess my fatass is saving up for a Artist. Thanks bro for your help.
So... The amps are totally identical. Clearly the Artist sounds better when you play side by side!!
But when you run the 100 through the Artist... no difference whatsoever!!! Tweaking the amp for the Artist, Boss??? Yeah, right!!!
No comment....
TheGuitarGeek sometimes, no words are worth more than a thousand words!!! 😀
They probably adapted the speaker simulator output. No?
@@TheGuitarGeek A wise man once said, nothing.
Well, it's beyond proven that the artist has a class A/B power section, and the 100 is class D.
Both are nice. The 100 speaker is modelled after the Celestion G12-T75 while the artist is a high powered greenback/creamback. Preamp modelling section is the same. Also the artist brings out the lineout airfeel, and the resonance controls, that on the 100 you have to set in tone studio.
The artist is a nicer buy than the 100 + a Celestion creamback.
Wazap y'all
WHAAAAAZZZZUUUUUP
Thanks for your video - just bought an Artist MkI to replace my 50 MkI. The 100 was only in the race for a short time.
I'm at a crossroads. Done so much research (much from your channel alone) and this comparison really clarified the differences. The obvious is the control panel on the front. But shoot, the tone comparison sealed the deal. The Artist really shines there. Thank you!
And that's a bloody proper shout-out. I really feel ya in selling the 100 for this. The Artist really sounds amazing! Thank you 🫂 and... waza! 😁
Absolutely 100% The Artist The front panel control's are a huge thing for me for sure not to mention all the extra features..ive owned 2of the Katana markii 50's and loved them both but they didn't have all the outputs I needed so its time to buy the artist for me. I've made up my mind . It's all ill ever need for my home studio, practicing or a small jam session with a group of friends.I know this video is 6 years old but I've watched alot if your recent video and im a subscriber and Honestly Value your opinion Alot..Thanks so much
Waza - thanks for this! I think I’ll be returning my 50 and upgrading to the Artist
I have a Fender blue junior and already had to replace power amp tubes. It's great for clean tones but i still can't find a good sounding pedal, so i bought a Katana 50 and I LOVE IT!!! I should've bought the katana immediately after starting with electric guitar. But i saw your videos about the artist and the foot switch and i was sold. I ordered it today from Sweetwater, and the switch. Came to just over $800 with tax!!! But now i can donate the katana 50 to my daughter, which is good! Thank you for your intelligent orderly and complete reviews.
Running the 100 Mk1 into the Artist's speaker made them sound equal. Since I have the Mk1 head, I already get to run into a cab! I totally agree that the "rear" control knobs/buttons placement is a disadvantage! So easy solution....turn the Mk1 head "face down", and all the controls are up front!!
WAZA! Seriously considering a Boss Katana amp for myself! Thanks for your informative videos.
WAZA Great video. The panel on the front is a deal maker along with the WAZA Craft speaker. The extra cost is not an issue. I own a tube amp already with a 2x12 cabinet. You just pushed the edge for me to go big or go home.
It's the Artist for me.
Waza ... pppp . Hey this was very well done and really helps me with the decision . . . swap up from K 50 to this unit.
Happy to subscribe . . . like the way you asked at the END instead of the beginning like so many others.
Lookin' forward to taggin' along .
Waza, Andy just wanted you to knoe that even 4 years later your videos are still helping people make good choices. Artist I think is in my future. Thanks Mate!
Same. Have been weighing same choice, and this is by far the best comparison/demo I've found. Going Artist for all the reasons already mentioned. 4 years late to the party but thank you!
Great video mate. Thanks for making the time to do it.
Early in the video it was obvious to me that the Artist was better in tonal quality , both treble and bass (and in-between) No doubt about it. Later it was a little harder.
I previously listened to all the comparisons I could find, and now firmly believe the Artist to be of superior sound.
I'm a bit of a tone freak, and if you get the Artist, as I have 'now', you will have a better sounding amp.
I understand the $$$$$ are more, but that's a decision for the buyer to figure out. However, the Waza speaker and front panel were a no brainers.
For me it's not ''placebo syndrome", but experience of 40 years playing and owning many amps including the 50sFender Tweed and 60s Blackface models. (Tube amps)
This is hands down the best comparison video I've seen. Great methodology. The artist is clearly better in terms of the speaker. The 100 sounds like a partially obstructed artist. Everything just flattened a bit and muffled. The comparison through the same speaker was much closer, and I think at that point really just a matter of taste. Waza!
WAZA This was one of the best comparison videos I have seen. (I did watch it to the end!) Too often different guitars are used on the amps being compared. Having the software set the same on both amps is a great starting point, and something that can't be done comparing different brands. Knob positions being in the same place on amps from different manufacturers doesn't mean much as the designs of the amps are different and the impact of the settings is not universal. Using the looper and playing the loop through both was a great idea. Thanks.
Oh man. You hit it on the head. I hate the panel on back of top. My GOD. I thought I was crazy. I was so relieved to hear you say that. I’ve been thinking about the Artist for that reason.
It's this video that made me buy the Artist just last night. For me too, the Waza speaker and the front panel configuration made the sell. Money wise, I but it used with 6 months garantied, on Sweetwater.
Great review, 'am about to get the katana 100w head, thanks for your help
Shorter haircut looks great. Very clever way to fairly test the amps.