Anyone performing with a Katana 100W? Ruggedness, reliability?

[Thoughtfree]

I'm thinking about edging back into the local music scene, if possible. I just tested my 30-year-old-plus Roland JC77, unused for several years. Always hissy, its noise has gotten outta control, so I'm gonna donate it to the church rummage sale. No great loss, as I bought it used in the late 80s for 225 bucks. The Boss Katana 100 seems to have clean power, chorus, and low noise, so this may be its replacement.

So does anyone out there have experience using the Katana for four-hour gigs? I tried a 50W in a store and liked it, but those little pushbuttons on the chassis do not inspire confidence that they would survive a crashing blow from a mike stand base, or an accidental beer spill, or a drop to the floor - incidents that the JC77 would ignore.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[brookdalebill]

I had one for about a year, and it was utterly dependable, easy to operate, and sounded great.

 

[Thoughtfree]

I had one for about a year, and it was utterly dependable, easy to operate, and sounded great.

Thanks! Sounds like you are not currently an owner - may I ask what you replaced it with?

 

[brookdalebill]

Thanks! Sounds like you are not currently an owner - may I ask what you replaced it with?

I use Roland Cube 80XLs.
I have 3.
They sound and operate similarly to the Katana.
The Katana actually replaced the higher power Cube amps in the line.
The Cubes have a closed back.
That makes the stage a little easier to control.
They 80XL’s have an 80 second looper that I sometimes use at gigs.
Lastly the Cubes have a built-in silent chromatic tuner.
I use this tuner almost to a fault.
Out-of-tune-ness tortures me, so I check and tune often.
I also completely eschew pedals of any kind.
I know, I’m odd.
Anyways the Cubes have been my go-to for about a decade now.
I bought, liked, and used the Katana, but the Cube does more stuff, in a somewhat smaller package.
Love em’!

 

[Thoughtfree]

Thanks for this! Looks like the 80XL is only available used, unfortunately.

I used an original orange-tolex Roland Cube 60, back in the late 70s and early 80s. It competed successfully with a three-piece horn section, popping bassists, and slamming drummers.

 

[W.L.Weller]

You might be able to get that JC77 serviced for about the cost of the Katana, but then again you might not be able to.

I know many "amp techs" won't work on solid state stuff.

Looks like there are a couple used Katanas and a Blues Cube Hot on Minneapolis CL, but maybe you'd prefer a warranty etc.

 

[Dacious]

My bandmate has a 50 watt Kat Mk 1 he bought used. It's performed flawlessly 2-3 yrs. I reckon it sounds meh but it's reliable and does what he needs. I had to solder the input jack back on when his cat knocked it off it's stand and the cable end broke it inside the chassis but that wasn't it's fault.