Boss offers two 100w combo amps in the Katana range: the Katana 100 and the Katana Artist.
What’s the difference? Is the Artist worth the additional cost? Is there any good reason anyway should buy the 100 aside from the price difference?
We’re going to answer all of those questions here, and more.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist comparison:
- Tones
- Speaker
- Size & Weight
- Effects
- Connectivity
- Cabinet
- Ergonomics
- Price & Value For Money
- Pros & Cons
Ready? Let’s get started…
Which One Are YOU Leaning Towards?
Table of Contents
30-Second Summary: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
So when it comes down to Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist, which one should you choose? Here’s a quick overview:
- Go for Boss Katana 100 if you can’t justify the extra cash to get a bigger cabinet and upgraded speaker.
- Go for Boss Katana Artist if you’re an audiophile who needs the best of the best when it comes to speaker design, or if you want to be able to control your Katana via MIDI.
1. Tones: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Amp types
The Boss Katana range is a collection of digital modeling amps, meaning they recreate the sounds of famous and highly desirable analog amp models, and pack a bunch of different tones into one.
Both the Katana 100 and the Artist have 5 different built-in amp models:
- Clean
- Crunch
- Lead
- Acoustic
- Brown
This essentially translates to one clean channel, one acoustic channel, and three levels of drive, as the brown channel replicates EVH’s famous high-gain ‘brown tone’.
Presets
Both Katana amps allow you to create and store your own presets. That allows to craft and carve out some very specific tones in the bedroom, and then easily switch between them in a live context.
Both models hold up to 8 presets, and you can even download custom patches from the Boss website and sync them to the amp via USB.
Cabinet simulation
Each of the amps mentioned here has onboard cabinet simulation which is available on the line, USB, and phones/recording outputs. One of the cool things about this feature is that you can choose between 3 different cabinet resonance types, allowing you to match the simulated cab response to the amp model and settings you’ve dialed in.
Tones Winner: Tie
2. Speaker: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Speaker: Boss Katana 100
The speaker in the Boss Katana 100 is a 12-inch custom-designed speaker that Boss crafted specifically for this amp model.
To be honest, there’s not really much more said or to be said of this speaker, other than it is designed to faithfully reproduce a bunch of different amp sounds, and does a pretty good job of it.
Speaker: Boss Katana Artist
The speaker is the Katana Artist is a completely different beast.
It’s a 12-inch Waza Craft unit, and it’s designed to reproduce that British speaker stack sound.
To that end, it’s beautifully vintage-sounding (though it pulls some nice modern tones out of the hat as well), and has a wide dynamic range.
Speaker: Bottom Line
If you had the Katana 100, you’d hardly say that it was lacking in the speaker department.
However, side by side, with the same amp settings dialed up, you can definitely hear that the Artist has a more refined and intricate tonal palette, owing to the hours of work put into designed that Waza speaker.
So, the Katana Artists wins here.
Speaker Winner: Boss Katana Artist
3. Size & Weight: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Width | 630 mm 24-13/16 inches | 530 mm 20-7/8 inches |
Depth | 248 mm 9-13/16 inches | 248 mm 9-13/16 inches |
Height | 515 mm 20-5/16 inches | 484 mm 17-1/2 inches |
Weight | 19 kg 41 lbs 15 oz | 14.8 kg 32 lbs 11 oz |
Size & Weight: Boss Katana 100
Neither amp is a particularly large or heavy beast.
The Katana 100 is definitely the smaller of the two, weighing in at just under 33lbs and listing dimensions of:
- Width: 530 mm
- Depth: 248 mm
- Height: 484 mm
Size & Weight: Boss Katana Artist
The Artist is a slightly larger amp, owing in part to the Waza speaker, but mostly due to the fact that the cabinet itself is larger, and has a semi-open-back design (compared to the 100 which is an open-back amp).
It weighs a little under 42lbs and measures:
- Width: 630 mm
- Depth: 248 mm
- Height: 515 mm
For a bit of context, most combo 1×12 combo amps weigh quite a bit more, especially if they are tube amps.
For example, a Peavey 6505 1×12 combo is a massive 61lbs.
Size & Weight: Bottom Line
Considering the weight of most other amps in the price range, the Katanas are super light. This makes either amp a great choice for traveling artists or buskers.
If we have to choose a winner in this department, though, the Katana 100 is smaller and lighter, make it a touch more portable.
Size & Weight Winner: Boss Katana 100
4. Effects: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Built-In Effects
Both the Katana 100 and the Artist have an insane amount of digital effects built-in.
The newest models boast 65 different digital effects, including delays, flangers, and octave effects.
Reverb
The whole Katana range has a dedicated reverb section built-in, which is controllable by a knob on the control panel, or via footswitch, if you’re using one.
Effects Loops
Both models also offer an effects loop on the rear panel so you can connect all of your pedals if you’re finding those 65 built-in effects just aren’t enough.
Effects Winner: Tie
5. Connectivity: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Connectivity: Boss Katana 100
The Boss Katana 100 is pretty well-equipped on the connectivity front.
It has a single guitar input, send and return jacks for the effects loops, an aux-in port, a USB port for software updates and downloading new patches, a line out jack, a phones/recording output jack, and two footswitch inputs: one for the GA-FC foot controller, and one for channel selection/expression pedal control.
Connectivity: Boss Katana Artist
The Katana Artist has all of the same I/O, but with a few extra tricks up its sleeve.
The first is a MIDI input port so you can connect a MIDI device to control changes to the Katana Artist.
The second is a set of speaker outputs so you can use the amp with an external cabinet.
Connectivity: Bottom Line
Both amps do a great job on the connectivity front, but the Katana Artist does offer a couple of things over and above the 100, so it wins this round.
Connectivity Winner: Boss Katana Artist
Which One Are YOU Leaning Towards?
6. Cabinet: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Cabinet: Boss Katana 100
The Katana 100 is a solidly-built amp with a strong cabinet that offers a nice resonance and is well-tuned to match the speaker.
It’s an open-back design, meaning the amp really breathes with clean and crunch tones, though it can be a little lacking in the low-end with heavily distorted tones, simply due to the nature of the cabinet design.
Cabinet: Boss Katana Artist
The Artist has a bigger cabinet than the 100, giving it a slightly meatier tone and a bigger bass response.
It doesn’t go all the way to an open-back design, either, opting instead for a semi-open design that still allows the speaker to breathe, but improves the low-end resonance.
This makes the Artist a better choice for modern metal players who will be using the amp to create high-gain tones.
Cabinet: Bottom Line
In my opinion, the Katana Artist has the better cabinet design overall, though it’s fair to say that there is an element of personal taste to be considered here.
Cabinet Winner: Boss Katana Artist
7. Ergonomics: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Ergonomics: Boss Katana 100
One thing you’ll notice about the Katana 100 is that the amp controls are on the top of the cabinet, like a Vox amp.
This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, it’s really a preference, but it’s something worth considering. It makes it easier to access when the amp is on the ground, but harder when it’s on top of something else.
Ergonomics: Boss Katana Artist
The Artist, on the other hand, has its controls on the front panel, like a Marshall.
These tend to be difficult to access when the amp is on the floor, but much more ergonomic when the amp is stacked up on another speaker cabinet as it often will be in a live context.
Ergonomics: Bottom Line
This one is a tie, as it really comes down to a point of preference.
Both amps also have a built-in kickstand, which allows you to angle the speaker up when it’s on the ground, which is great for buskers or bedroom performers.
Ergonomics Winner: Tie
8. Price & Value For Money: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Price & Value For Money: Boss Katana 100
You’ll pay around $370 for the Katana 100, which is about half the price of a tube Marshall combo, despite the Katana gifting you 5 different amp models.
So yeah, pretty great value for money if you ask me.
Price & Value For Money: Boss Katana Artist
The Artist is the flagship model of the Katana range, and packs in a few extra features (plus that Waza speaker), so it’s unsurprising that this model costs a little more, coming in at closer to $600.
Price & Value For Money: Bottom Line
Considering the price difference between these two models, I’d suggest that the Katana 100 represents better value for money, as it’s not too far off the Artist in terms of sound and functionality but is nearly half the price.
Price & Value For Money Winner: Boss Katana 100
9. Pros & Cons: Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist
Boss Katana 100 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- An insane number of built-in effects
- Lightweight and portable
- Very affordable
Cons:
- No MIDI input
Boss Katana Artist Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Waza speaker
- MIDI input
- An insane number of built-in effects
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- A bit on the expensive side compared to the other Katana amps
Conclusion & Takeaway
To summarize our findings in this Boss Katana 100 vs Boss Katana Artist comparison, here are the winners for each category:
- Tones – Tie
- Speaker – Boss Katana Artist
- Size & Weight – Boss Katana 100
- Effects – Tie
- Connectivity – Boss Katana Artist
- Cabinet – Boss Katana Artist
- Ergonomics – Tie
- Price & Value For Money – Boss Katana 100
Overall: Boss Katana Artist
Which One Are YOU Leaning Towards?
Side by side, the Katana Artist is definitely the ‘better’ amp.
It does everything that the 100 does, but has a better speaker, larger, more responsive cabinet, and a few extras in the connectivity department.
If money is no object, then get the Boss Katana Artist.
If, however, you’re looking to maximize the value you get for your dollar, then I’d say the Boss Katana 100 is a better value proposition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5GnxgaBxZA
Products Comparison Table:
Spec / Feature | Boss Katana Artist | Boss Katana 100 |
Rated Power Output | 100 W | 100w |
Nominal Input Level | INPUT: -10 dBu (1 M ohm) AUX IN: -10 dBu (20 k ohms) RETURN IN: -10 dBu (100 k ohm) | INPUT: -10 dBu (1 M ohm) AUX IN: -10 dBu (20 k ohms) RETURN IN: -10 dBu (100 k ohm) |
Speaker | 30 cm (12 inches) x 1 | 30 cm (12 inches) x 1 |
Controls | POWER switch MASTER knob PRESENCE knob POWER CONTROL switch (STANDBY, 0.5 W, 50 W, 100 W) CABINET RESONANCE switch (VINTAGE, MODERN, DEEP) LINE OUT AIR FEEL switch (REC, LIVE, BLEND) [AMPLIFIER] AMP TYPE knob (ACOUSTIC, CLEAN, CRUNCH, LEAD, BROWN) GAIN knob VOLUME knob [EQUALIZER] BASS knob MIDDLE knob TREBLE knob [MULTI EFFECT] BOOSTER/MOD button DELAY/FX button REVERB button TAP button BOOSTER/MOD knob DELAY/FX knob REVERB knob [TONE SETTING] BANK button CH1 button CH2 button CH3 button CH4 button PANEL button | POWER switch MASTER knob PRESENCE knob POWER CONTROL switch (STANDBY, 0.5 W, 50 W, 100 W) [AMPLIFIER] AMP TYPE knob (ACOUSTIC, CLEAN, CRUNCH, LEAD, BROWN) GAIN knob VOLUME knob [EQUALIZER] BASS knob MIDDLE knob TREBLE knob [MULTI EFFECT] BOOSTER/MOD button DELAY/FX button REVERB button TAP button BOOSTER/MOD knob DELAY/FX knob REVERB knob [TONE SETTING] CH1 button CH2 button CH3 button CH4 button PANEL button |
Indicators | ACOUSTIC CLEAN CRUNCH LEAD BROWN BOOSTER/MOD DELAY/FX REVERB TAP CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 PANEL | ACOUSTIC CLEAN CRUNCH LEAD BROWN BOOSTER/MOD DELAY/FX REVERB TAP CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 PANEL |
Connectors | INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type AUX IN jack: Stereo miniature phone type REC OUT/PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type SEND jack: 1/4-inch phone type RETURN jack: 1/4-inch phone type LINE OUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type SPEAKER OUT 16 ohms A jack: 1/4-inch phone type SPEAKER OUT 16 ohms B jack: 1/4-inch phone type SPEAKER OUT 8 ohms jack: 1/4-inch phone type EXP PEDAL/CTL CH1/CH2 jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type GA-FC jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type MIDI IN connector USB port: USB B type AC IN jack | INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type AUX IN jack: Stereo miniature phone type REC OUT/PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type SEND jack: 1/4-inch phone type RETURN jack: 1/4-inch phone type LINE OUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type EXP PEDAL/CTL CH1/CH2 jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type GA-FC jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type USB port: USB B type AC IN jack |
Power Consumption | 77w | 77w |
Accessories | Owner’s manual Power cord GA-FC sticker | Owner’s manual Power cord GA-FC sticker |
Options (sold separately) | Footswitch: BOSS FS-5L, BOSS FS-6, BOSS FS-7 Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, BOSS EV-30, FV-500L, BOSS FV-500H GA FOOT CONTROLLER (GA-FC) | Footswitch: BOSS FS-5L Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, BOSS FV-500L, BOSS FV-500H GA FOOT CONTROLLER (GA-FC) |
Width | 630 mm 24-13/16 inches | 530 mm 20-7/8 inches |
Depth | 248 mm 9-13/16 inches | 248 mm 9-13/16 inches |
Height | 515 mm 20-5/16 inches | 484 mm 17-1/2 inches |
Weight | 19 kg 41 lbs 15 oz | 14.8 kg 32 lbs 11 oz |
