Back to navigation


The Katana’s Workhorse Head ? Upgraded with Gen 3 Performance





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





Equipped with evolved Tube Logic technology and a 5-inch internal speaker, the BOSS Katana Head Gen 3 delivers immaculate valve-inspired tone and comprehensive stage, studio, and practice functionality. This 100-watt amplifier head is equipped with a sweeping sonic arsenal of six amplifier voices (including a new Pushed voice), six voice variations, and the Gen 3 addition of a Bloom switch to sharpen up your sound. Next, five independent stompbox-inspired effects sections provide you with plenty of delay, reverb, and modulation options to sculpt your dream tone. Picky about your EQ? This Katana comes equipped with a powerful 3-band EQ, 3-way contour control, and Presence control for serious studio-grade tone-shaping potential. These features alone would make the Katana Gen 3 an amp to be reckoned with. Still, the truth is they’re not the half of it: you also get onboard Power Control, eight Tone Setting memories, Stereo Expand functionality, cab sim-equipped Line Out/headphone/USB outs, upgraded BOSS Tone Studio app, and scores of other features. And just like its MkII predecessor, the Katana Head Gen 3 seals the deal with an internal 5-inch speaker for quiet late-night practice sessions!





Related Videos: Katana Head Gen 3 100W Amplifier Head





NOW PLAYING:


BOSS Katana Gen 3: Evolved Tube Logic Tech & Enhanced, Edge-of-breakup Sonics





Tube Amp vs Solid State -?What's the Difference?


What’s new for Gen 3?





The Katana Head Gen 3 comes swinging right out of the gate with a newly evolved and enhanced iteration of BOSS’s revered Tube Logic technology, capturing all the harmonic nuance and dynamic feel of a true tube amplifier. These improvements elevate all the Katana series’ prior amplifier models to a whole new level of valve-inspired realism, but the technology is truly on full display in Gen 3’s all-new amplifier typed: Pushed.





Engineered to exactly replicate the ever-coveted edge-of-breakup sound, the Pushed amp character artfully embodies the touch-sensitive gain characteristics and lively dynamics of a clean tube combo cranked to its breaking point. Moreover, Gen 3 introduces a Bloom switch that Sweetwater guitarists favor for its ability to sharpen your Katana’s edge with a more focused attack and a rich, enveloping bass response. Finally, the Katana’s third generation comes complete with a whole host of improvements to the BOSS Tone Studio, including UI and editing upgrades for a quicker, more straightforward workflow.





12 amp voices to explore





In addition to Generation 3’s new Pushed amp, this Katana contains all five of the MkII series’ time-tested amplifier voices, all optimized by BOSS’s evolved Tube Logic technology. Lead, Crunch, and Pushed are all aimed to please dirt-obsessed players with a wealth of remarkably tube-like tones, and you even get a “Brown” voice that delivers screaming ’80s hard-rock sounds in spades. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Katana Gen 3 series boasts a lush, full-bodied Clean voice and an Acoustic voice to accommodate your acoustic-electric arsenal. It all adds up to a grand total of six amplifiers to choose from, but that’s only half the story ? a Variation switch effectively doubles the amp tones at your disposal with distinct sonic spins on each amp’s sound!





Wireless control via BOSS’s optional Bluetooth adapter





While previous Katana amplifiers required a USB connection to access the editor, each model in the third generation now comes equipped with a dedicated jack on the back to connect with the optional BOSS BT-DUAL Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adapter. This adapter allows you to make instant on-the-fly edits to your Katana’s tone straight from your mobile device. Plus, you can also use it to stream songs and backing tracks to make the most of your woodshedding sessions!





Power Amp In(put)





Got a floor unit or tube preamp you can’t live without? You can access all 100 watts of the Katana Head Gen 3’s Class AB power section using the power amp input. Here, you bypass everything before the power amp, so what you hear is exactly what you expect ? only live and in living color.





Cab-emulated outputs for silent recording and performance





While the Katana Head Gen 3 offers a Power Control for getting cranked-amp tone at a low volume level, you can achieve truly silent operation onstage or in the studio by connecting the amp's line output to a line input on your recording device or a PA. Cab emulation is available on the USB and headphone outputs, as well, so however you choose to monitor your Head Gen 3, it'll feel like you're standing in front of an amp. Selectable cab resonance (Vintage/Modern/Deep) and Air Feel miking emulation (direct, distant, or blended) allow you to tailor emulated tones to taste.





Powered by the Gen 3 BOSS Tone Studio editor





Upgraded with an enhanced UI and editing options for Gen 3, the Katana Head Gen 3 supports over 60 timeless BOSS effects, and you can load an entire series of them for instant access. The amp's Booster/Mod, FX/Delay, and Reverb controls give you easy one-knob access to up to five simultaneous effects types, with a color-coded button to switch between preset effects. To completely customize your effects and amp settings, connect the Head Gen 3 to your computer via USB and load up the Tone Studio software. Here, you can create your own setup or download setups created by pro guitarists at the BOSS Tone Studio website. Best of all, the Katana Head Gen 3 can store multiple custom amp and effects profiles for instant recall, making this head a versatile multichannel amplifier.





BOSS Katana Head Gen 3 100-watt Amplifier Head Features:


Gen 3 update to BOSS’s beloved line of Katana amplifiers


Feature-packed amplifier head, equipped with 100 watts of gig-ready AB power


5-inch internal speaker is perfect for late-night practice and jam sessions ? no cab necessary


Upgraded with evolved Tube Logic technology to deliver the most valve-like tone and feel possible


6 onboard amp characters to explore, from the new edge-of-breakup Pushed tone to Katana classics like Clean, Brown, Lead, Crunch, and Acoustic


Each amplifier voice sports a single variation, adding up to a total of 12 amps to choose from


Gen 3 Bloom switch sharpens up your attack and adds a dynamic edge to your low-end response


Optional BOSS BT-Dual Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adapter available separately, offering wireless access to the Katana’s editing and streaming capabilities


5 independent effects sections supply you with myriad reverb, delay, and modulation options


Extensive EQ options include a 3-band EQ, 3-way contour switch, Presence control, and 3 Global EQ options


A trio of cabinet resonance options impart a sense of lifelike depth to your tone


Power Control scales down your amp’s output to achieve cranked tones at manageable volumes


Stereo Expand makes linking up a second Katana amp for sweet stereo sounds a breeze


Effects loop accommodates all your favorite outboard effects


Cab sim-equipped stereo headphone jack, 1/4-inch line out, and USB out


3 Air Feel options to fine-tune your cab sim sounds


MIDI compatible for complex remote-controlled rigs


Gen 3 upgraded BOSS Tone Studio sports an enhanced UI, improved editing tools, and much more