That’s true.
@Gertvr Coincidentally I checked that Blackstar earlier today.
I don’t know how they reduce the output in that particular one. As @Jamolay said, they may be doing it by powering off two valves in which case, I’m assuming, the tone would probably be different… If I’ve understood this right.
It’s possible that the user manual explains that.
I had bought the Katana 50 until I realised you couldn’t put a looper pedal in without it going through the amp, so I took it back and changed it for the Katana 100. Now I have the Boss RC5 pedal which I haven’t even used yet. I have just got onto the rock section in Grade 2 so reckon there is plenty of time.
I was just thinking, after visiting this thread again.
Right now I use the Katana 100 head. It is great and I have a trio plus looper I have yet to utilize well.
But my reality is that I almost never use the speaker. My expensive amp (well, not so much used) is a very fancy headphone amp.
I also have a Riff with Bias 2 software (positive grid).
I think if I were starting over, I might skip the bigger amp and just use the Riff. The Bias 2 software has a looper and you can put the mediocre positive grid rhythm software through it and play phone lesson/tracks through it. You can also plug almost any portable speaker to it if you want to rock out.
It certainly would suffice for my needs, take up less space and saved a few hundred bucks. I will never take my K100 Head gigging.
This post has really got me thinking. I’ve settled on getting a Boss Katana 100. I don’t see the point in getting the Boss Katana 50 with the absence of a FX loop to use with my loopers. I would be using it solely at home (I’m just a beginner) so presume the 0.5W setting would be suitable for playing at low volume without upsetting the neighbours (or the missus and dogs) and when the opportunity presents itself I can crank it up. Since reading this post it has a cast a clouded thought into my head on whether getting the Katana Mk2 Head for a smaller form factor for the time being and getting a cab when the time comes that I need the additional volume. What are your thoughts? Am I overthinking it? is it best just to get the combo the now if its suitable and leaves room for growth rather than getting the head and buying cabs later (if needed)?
That is a hard question to answer. I find the 5” speaker pretty loud. It can get too loud for home use in my opinion, but then I am not playing that kind of music so it is not my predilection to need a loud amp.
I like the “head’s” form factor, but if you need a larger speaker eventually you will need to buy yet another thing.
Are you able to go listen to one? Are you in the US? I would sell mine.
Hi Joshua, yes it’s definitely a difficult question. The stores that have the head are a bit too far away and the cheapest is £40 more than the lowest price I can get for the combo. Unfortunately, not in the US, over the pond in the sunny UK.
Yes, I like the form factor too and leaves the possibility open to buying a cab at a later date when circumstances change. However, as you said I would eventually have to buy another thing and if the combo is good for both low volume and high volume playing then it saves a bit of money.
If space isn’t an issue you may as well get the full boat. Especially if it is cheaper.
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Just placed the order for the combo amp.
Just to mention for those looking at the Katana 100 there are alternatives.
I picked up the fender gtx 100, 1x12 modeling amp with footswitch, fx loop balanced rca outs, looper, app, really easy to use.
It’s got great fender tones plus all the usual ac30 / marshal stuff, probably more trad /blues than metal if you compare with the Katana, but a good option.
The 50 is similar but no included footswitch which means the 100 is usually a better deal if you intend it
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Oooo James,
Happy WFYCAmp Days… 
Greetings…
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Just to put my 1/2p worth in, I would go for a simple amp with an fx loop in for example an Orange Crush 35 RT and when ready for fx get a reasonable multi fx rig, there are a shedload of decent ones on the market (like the Hotone Ampera); until you get past the beginner stage anything more than reverb is just going to be a distraction; learn to play before venturing into fx, (learn to walk before running), you know it makes sense!!!
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OK going through all these I wonder if I need a decent amp too ? Right now I am connecting my electric guitar to a mult effect pedal and to audio interface and to my PC . I hear my guitar with my speaker monitors and headphones.
As long as I am using this for practice and recording do I need amp too?
If you are happy with it, and you don’t intend gigging or rehearsing with others, then you don’t need an amp.
Wanting one is something else entirely.
Cheers,
Keith
Thanks the problem is that as I am completely new with electric guitar , amps etc I do not know if I could be happier with other settings! 
I might find out that I was missing a lot just because I did not know I think I am happy but wonder If I could be happier LOL
If you are plugging headphones into your mfx you’ll probably get a good idea what the mfx output sounds like if it was going through speakers. I would say going through your pc audio card and into your pc monitors is not optimum but if it sounds okay to you that’s fine. I doubt they have the power/volume that an amp or proper powered speaker would have but so what.
Generally a MFX with amp models wants to go through a full range flat response speaker as the mfx will be “emulating” a cab… some solid state amps pretty much have this. Others don’t. You can buy FRFR speakers ( look at headrush, alto speakers) which will match up with most mfx very well.
Thanks when you say FRFR speaker you mean some thing like this?
I have two of them
You are fine then stop looking at amps…. Unless you really want an amp or you want a better FRFR speaker.
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