Moving up from Katana
- Thread starter RidiculousWonk
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honeycreek
Tele-Afflicted
Katana 100 mkII has a line out although I’m not a fan of how it works with the various volume knobs. I’ve gigged it and works just fine as a pedal platform using one of the clean channel options (and as an acoustic instrument amp). I prefer my tube amps but I’ve been using the Katana as my backup. Since I’ve had a rash of tube failures, it’s got some use this year. I pretty much always grab it first for at home play and band practices. I’m not sure any of the options listed are really a step up. They are just different...
whoanelly15
Tele-Afflicted
Other: Katana Artist
Everything you love about the Katana, including the versatility, ease of use, ease of headphone practice and digital recording, some (not all) really good-sounding effects, but a much better speaker in a better built cabinet.
Everything you love about the Katana, including the versatility, ease of use, ease of headphone practice and digital recording, some (not all) really good-sounding effects, but a much better speaker in a better built cabinet.
I replaced my Katana 50 with a Tone Master, but the Twin not the Deluxe. I only ever used the Katana on Clean and w/o any of the effects, so the TM was exactly what I wanted.
The TM is better in every way in my opinion, assuming it sounds they way you like. I bought the Twin over the Deluxe because cleans are really its thing, plus it has a Mids control, a bright switch, and two 12”s sound much fuller than one.
The attenuator is a game changer. I originally wanted the Deluxe because I figured the Twin would be pure murder in a house, but tried one just for the hell of it in the store and realized it was totally doable and sounded better to me. At 12w setting and 3 1/2 - 4 on the dial it’s totally comfortable sitting a couple of feet away from for practice, and whenever I need more there’s still plenty on tap for those times. Only thing lacking would be if you want the amp to break up as part of your sound, then the Deluxe is better for that. I use pedals for dirt, so the Twin’s emphasis on cleans works better for me.
The TM is better in every way in my opinion, assuming it sounds they way you like. I bought the Twin over the Deluxe because cleans are really its thing, plus it has a Mids control, a bright switch, and two 12”s sound much fuller than one.
The attenuator is a game changer. I originally wanted the Deluxe because I figured the Twin would be pure murder in a house, but tried one just for the hell of it in the store and realized it was totally doable and sounded better to me. At 12w setting and 3 1/2 - 4 on the dial it’s totally comfortable sitting a couple of feet away from for practice, and whenever I need more there’s still plenty on tap for those times. Only thing lacking would be if you want the amp to break up as part of your sound, then the Deluxe is better for that. I use pedals for dirt, so the Twin’s emphasis on cleans works better for me.
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nicknklv
Tele-Holic
Before you look at other amps, you might want figure out what sound you are looking for in an amp, and what speaker is usually voicing that sound.
I realized I was drawn to the sound of Creamback amps, and I put a 75w G12H Creamback in my Katana 100. My goodness, it sounds terrific in every single way right now! Before that I was considering Princeton's, now I'm totally satisfied every time I plug into the Kat. Most of the time I play at 100w volume at 9-10 with loads of headroom and gorgeous sound! And I can still plug in my headphones or go down to 0.5w if I can't be loud.
Mind you, a higher sensitivity speaker will be louder than a Katana stock speaker at the same wattage, and I'm juding the Katana stock to be somewhere in the low 90's (91-92dB) while the Creamback in my example is 100dB.
IMO, the Katana is very versatile and if you spend some time in Tone Studio to just set up some tones, you'll find new sides of it you have not yet explored.
I realized I was drawn to the sound of Creamback amps, and I put a 75w G12H Creamback in my Katana 100. My goodness, it sounds terrific in every single way right now! Before that I was considering Princeton's, now I'm totally satisfied every time I plug into the Kat. Most of the time I play at 100w volume at 9-10 with loads of headroom and gorgeous sound! And I can still plug in my headphones or go down to 0.5w if I can't be loud.
Mind you, a higher sensitivity speaker will be louder than a Katana stock speaker at the same wattage, and I'm juding the Katana stock to be somewhere in the low 90's (91-92dB) while the Creamback in my example is 100dB.
IMO, the Katana is very versatile and if you spend some time in Tone Studio to just set up some tones, you'll find new sides of it you have not yet explored.
Musekatcher
Poster Extraordinaire
"at church.." was the MIR (most important requirement) that drove my vote.
stormsedge
Poster Extraordinaire
I voted "Fender SS" sight unseen/no experience. I have several tube amps, but cannot conjure a praise band scenario where I'd cart any of them out of the house. For that, I'd take my Quilter SS 
.
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11 Gauge
Doctor of Teleocity
Just curious - how tight of a fit is the speaker in the Kat 100? I tried to put an Eminence Lil Texas in a Kat 50, but the basket hit the chassis.
...I think that Celestions, or speakers with Celestion-style baskets, will probably fit in the Kat 50, because the stock speaker has a basket similar to a Celestion.
But if there's more room in the Kat 100, that's great, because then there's just a ton of options for really great different 12s.
I actually like the stock Katana speaker for more traditional breakup at higher volumes, but that's an Old School sort of preference. Something tighter and more efficient would probably really be great.
MilwMark
Doctor of Teleocity
In general I'm a huge fan of the Roland/Boss speakers - 10s and 12s. I think they are great and part of the sound in a good way.
11 Gauge
Doctor of Teleocity
Oh yeah, totally concur on that. The 12 in the Katana is possibly the best stock speaker I've experienced in a low-cost amp. It's just straight-up Old School for rock, blues, and more, and something I'd equate with a lower wattage choice from yesteryear - something ceramic from Celestion or Jensen.
The only reason I'd personally contemplate replacing it would be to get the tightest, cleanest sounds I could. If I'm using it dirty on the 25 watt setting, the stock speaker is perfect.
MilwMark
Doctor of Teleocity
And I've always loved the OE speaker in the Jazz Chorus amps - the 12 or the 10.
I don't see much point for you in getting a different modeling style combo, and it seems most others agree.
You've already got the Katana 100 and that's a highly regarded Modeler. If you're happy with the Katana any other modeler is probably just a sideways move.
I would try a tube amp again, there are lots of tube amps that are plenty dependable, and you sound like you're just a light home user.
There are all kinds of complaints about some brands and none against others. Fender tube amps sound great but read the reviews and they don't have the most perfect QC, some are duds. Owners seem way too tolerant of having to mod or fix near brand new amps. They don't seem to hold Fender's feet to the fire to get this stuff fixed to the point the amps are rock solid. IME that is not necessarily true of other tube amp brands.
My Orange tube amp has never given me a minute of trouble the last 3 and a half years and I use it every day. I have had far more trouble with the digital modeling amp I have as well (Yamaha THR) and I play the tube amp at least 10x more. The Orange came out of the box and it was just fine the way it was, no need to take it to a tech right away, no need to swap speakers or get someone to put a mod on it, etc..
No sense of having all of one and none of the other... I like having a modeler + a tube amp, if I was to buy another amp it would probably be a Tone master to have a modeler that was better than the THR. A Tone Master doesn't do Marshall emulations and Mesa and high gain like the THR but my Tube amp will mostly cover all that just fine.
You've already got the Katana 100 and that's a highly regarded Modeler. If you're happy with the Katana any other modeler is probably just a sideways move.
I would try a tube amp again, there are lots of tube amps that are plenty dependable, and you sound like you're just a light home user.
There are all kinds of complaints about some brands and none against others. Fender tube amps sound great but read the reviews and they don't have the most perfect QC, some are duds. Owners seem way too tolerant of having to mod or fix near brand new amps. They don't seem to hold Fender's feet to the fire to get this stuff fixed to the point the amps are rock solid. IME that is not necessarily true of other tube amp brands.
My Orange tube amp has never given me a minute of trouble the last 3 and a half years and I use it every day. I have had far more trouble with the digital modeling amp I have as well (Yamaha THR) and I play the tube amp at least 10x more. The Orange came out of the box and it was just fine the way it was, no need to take it to a tech right away, no need to swap speakers or get someone to put a mod on it, etc..
No sense of having all of one and none of the other... I like having a modeler + a tube amp, if I was to buy another amp it would probably be a Tone master to have a modeler that was better than the THR. A Tone Master doesn't do Marshall emulations and Mesa and high gain like the THR but my Tube amp will mostly cover all that just fine.
MarshallHeart
Tele-Afflicted
If tone is most important to you- go tube!
Line out is no problem, even if ithe amp doesn't have one. (Speaker sim DI box between speaker and speaker out)
Don't waste your time with modelers or ss amps...make a step forward
I voted tube amp, a good sounding one that works for you.
"Upgrading" from one amp to another is strange to me, like I'd stop using one amp that sounds good because I also have another amp that sounds good too, but in different ways. I would never do that, I am a black hole for gear, I never get rid of anything.
They multiply!
"Upgrading" from one amp to another is strange to me, like I'd stop using one amp that sounds good because I also have another amp that sounds good too, but in different ways. I would never do that, I am a black hole for gear, I never get rid of anything.
They multiply!
nicknklv
Tele-Holic
I wouldn't say it's tight - there's enough room in there for it, and I had no problems with the installation at all. Just had to take out the power section and hook it up.
Crobbins
Friend of Leo's
Blues Cube Artist.
11 Gauge
Doctor of Teleocity
Yeah, looks like there's just a bit more room in the Kat 100 than the Kat 50. Here's a pic of a Kat 50 (not mine), and you can kind of tell that it's tight quarters between the chassis and the speaker basket.
...So a 'four spoke basket', like with a Celestion, will probably just barely fit, while an Eminence or Jensen 'six spoke basket' won't.
Well, either that, or Emi/Jensen/etc. won't fit in the Kat 100, either.
PastorJay
Friend of Leo's
Modelers and related products of all kinds have gotten much better since I ditched my old digitech processor 6 or 7 years ago.
And I wouldn't argue with anyone who said to try a Jazz Chorus with a processor in front of it.
But I still love a tube amp.
Our church had a guitarist who used a Fender Pro Junior. He also sometimes used an Iridium, plugged into the board, and wore headphones. That actually sounded better to me than the amp.
I've worked with guys who used Blues Juniors. Personally I love the sound of the 68 Custom Princeton. Especially if you want it a little bluesy or gospel-y.
Right now I'm working with a guy who uses a Tech 21 Fly Rig 5. It sounds great. I think it gives you the option of a Fender Deluxe or a plexi amp sound.
I've used the EC vibrochamp. Has trem but not reverb. Hope some of this helps.
And I wouldn't argue with anyone who said to try a Jazz Chorus with a processor in front of it.
But I still love a tube amp.
Our church had a guitarist who used a Fender Pro Junior. He also sometimes used an Iridium, plugged into the board, and wore headphones. That actually sounded better to me than the amp.
I've worked with guys who used Blues Juniors. Personally I love the sound of the 68 Custom Princeton. Especially if you want it a little bluesy or gospel-y.
Right now I'm working with a guy who uses a Tech 21 Fly Rig 5. It sounds great. I think it gives you the option of a Fender Deluxe or a plexi amp sound.
I've used the EC vibrochamp. Has trem but not reverb. Hope some of this helps.
GreatDaneRock
Tele-Afflicted
Before you get rid of your katana, make sure that you experience the amp cranked up, really open up the amp. Amps tend to sound way different and normally much better when throttled. I know that at church is going to be hard to crank it, but you can use a Plexi shield in that case. Or you can go line out like you mentioned.
knh555
Tele-Holic
After I bought my Princeton Reverb, I sold my Katana. I also have a Princeton tweed clone (5f2a) and the two Princetons couldn't make me happier. OK, maybe a 5e3 is in my future.
However, I do still maintain a Yamaha THR for super-quiet buy nice sounding playing and recording, though I usually prefer the Princetons. The Yahama also gives me a great acoustic amp and serviceable bass amp for recording if I so desire.
However, I do still maintain a Yamaha THR for super-quiet buy nice sounding playing and recording, though I usually prefer the Princetons. The Yahama also gives me a great acoustic amp and serviceable bass amp for recording if I so desire.
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