NAD - Boss Katana Mkii Artist

Gear & Tools Talk 🔊 Amplification & Effects
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So I have just taken delivery of my new shiny Katana 100 Mkii Artist. I have a lot to learn but I know I am going to be very happy.

This is my first amp purchase, I have been using the crappy one that came in my starter kit, hardly using as all the things people talked about getting different tones, didn’t really do much. I have a NUX MP3 which is ok, but not really convenient to use as I don’t really enjoy playing with headphones, so even that has been getting a bit dusty.

There is quite a backstory here too. If a company already has my details from a previous activity, I will enter competitions and giveaways that they run.

Anyway back in June I got a call (voicemail) from Sweetwater saying I had won a prize. I was skeptical, but also had emails saying the same thing, so I called them back. I had won a preamp and microphone package. A few days later it arrived and when I looked it up it was over $1500 worth. It was a rack mounted preamp and high end mic, that I was unlikely ever be able to use. So I listed them for sale on Sweetwater’s gear exchange, where they allow you to sell gear for no cost, if you get the payment in Sweetwater Gift Certificates.

The Preamp sold quickly for a great price, and I had already decided I was going to put the proceeds to a new amp and guitar. I wanted the amp first to see how much I could improve what I was doing with my current guitar.

Then the Katana Gen 3 was released, which is what I was going to get. However at the same time the Artist Mkii version was on sale at the same price. So off I went down the rabbit hole of learning about Katana versions. I decided the mkii was the best bet for me… and here we are.

Also I ventured in a guitar center to try out guitars. I still have massive imposter syndrome when I go into a music store. However I did play a few different guitars through a decent amp, got to understand how different they all feel. Also how friendly and helpful staff and other punters in the shop were.

Mic is still for sale, and when that comes through I will venture out for more guitar testing.

This feels like a brag, but I am really just thankful for my good fortune and wanted to talk about it.

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Great story, lucky man, enjoy the new toy, I expect it will keep you busy a long time

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Nothing to brag about Phil, right place right time and you took the option to off load the freebies for something you both wanted and need. Win win in my book any day of the week.
Enjoy exploring the new Kat and keep us updated on the guitar front !

Happy NADs

:sunglasses:

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How awesome, Phil! :smiley: Love the back story and you’ll love the Artist I’m sure! I have a Mki which is brilliant, but I do wish it was a Mkii as there was a big step up in software capability between models. One of my favourite aspects compared with the normal Katana 100 is the controls being on the front rather than the top, which was super convenient for me when playing seated with it sitting on the desk next to me.

I hearing you mate! I 100% feel the same! Does that ever go away?! :thinking: :confounded: :joy:

Good luck on selling the mic and hunting out your next guitar! :guitar: :sunglasses:

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Nice!

What makes the artist version different?

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It has an updated speaker, some added effects, different outputs and the controls are on the front.

They are probably mostly things I wouldn’t be able to tell, but it is the option most people seem to recommend. For this same price it would have been rude not to buy it.

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I was kinda hoping imposter syndrome would go away… Although I attended a session with Stelth Ulvang from the Lumineers, who says that he has imposter syndrome when in a room of famous people.

One thing he said was, turn your guitar over and try to play a simple chord, with your wrong hand doing the fretting. Then realize that is how most people feel when they pick up a guitar. Then you will appreciate how far you have come.

Obviously it wouldn’t work for Justin now he has Nitsuj.

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The moral of the story is, it is worth entering competitions as people do win. I have a neighbor who wins loads of good stuff. Her hobby is entering competitions.

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OK just had a look , fx loop, 5 in chain effects, more control etc, looks a worthwhile upgrade over the standard katana !

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Looks like a decent piece of kit! Happy NAD :tada:

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I have a Katana 50 Mk II and think it’s a great amp, esp. for a basement player like myself. I’ve only messed around a small amount with the Boss Tone Studio software so far, but some of the library examples included with it were absolutely mind blowing in terms of what they demonstrated is possible, so I’d recommend you not neglect that aspect of the product.

Congrats on your upgrade, ignore the impostor syndrome, and have a good time.

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Congrats on the new amp Phil.

imho, yer gonna like the ft. controls on the artist I’d think.

I know it’s kinda irrelevant where the controls are at. But my for sure preference is ft. vs top controls. I’ve got both and I’m always having to look over and down to set up the top controls. Ft. controls, ya just look at them and make yer adjustment. Plus, top controls are always dusty, ft. ones, not so much dust.

Enjoy man. Turn it up!