Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $505
Standard/Professional
$300
$701+
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Boss Katana Artist MKII". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your sonic potential with the Boss Katana Artist MKII, a flagship model in the world of guitar combo amplifiers. This powerhouse is designed to elevate your performance with its superior sound and unmatched flexibility.
At its core is a specially designed 12" Waza speaker, crafted to deliver a wide and punchy response with rich harmonics. This speaker embodies the character of the acclaimed 25W British stack speaker from the 1960s, projecting a vintage rock tone with chest-thumping low end and midrange fullness.
The Katana Artist MKII offers a universe of tones at your feet. With five unique amp characters and 10 variations, the possibilities are nearly endless. From pristine clean to high-gain crunch and everything in between, this amp has you covered. It also provides you with five simultaneous effects including modulation, delay, reverb, and more.
For the discerning guitarist, the Katana Artist MKII features front-panel controls for crafting your ultimate tone. A three-way Contour switch, customizable Global EQ curves and a foot-controllable Solo boost function with dedicated level control, provide an unparalleled level of sound shaping.
Key Features:
- 100W 1x12" guitar combo amplifier
- 12" Waza speaker designed for a wide and punchy response
- Five unique amp characters with 10 variations
- Five simultaneous effects including modulation, delay, reverb, wah and more
- Three-way Contour switch for core amp tone shaping
- Customizable Global EQ curves for overall sound fine-tuning
- Foot-controllable Solo boost function with dedicated level control
- Connect to BOSS Tone Studio for deeper effect control and customization
- Dual amp expansion capabilities for professional players
- Power Control for achieving richly distorted tones at any volume level
- Variable Solo boost increases output for lead work
- Supports 60 timeless BOSS effects
- Adjustable Solo boost increases output for lead work
- Stereo expandability
- Powered by the BOSS Tone Studio editor
- 12-inch "green" speaker excels in tone and handling
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | Katana Artist MkII 100-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2020 - 2025 |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps, Guitar Modeling Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Solid State |
| Number of Channels | 4 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | Digital Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x12" |
FAQs
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What are the standout features of the Boss Katana Artist MKII compared to other Katana models?
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The Boss Katana Artist MKII features enhanced contour control and unique voicing variations for each amp model, offering more tonal flexibility than other Katana models. It also includes a premium Waza 12-inch speaker for superior sound quality.
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Is the Boss Katana Artist MKII suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Boss Katana Artist MKII's 100-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration provide ample power and clarity for live performances, making it ideal for gigging musicians.
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Does the Boss Katana Artist MKII support pedal integration?
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The Boss Katana Artist MKII is designed to work well with external pedals, offering a robust effects loop and compatibility with a wide range of effects for expanded tonal possibilities.
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What type of effects are built into the Boss Katana Artist MKII?
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The Boss Katana Artist MKII includes a variety of built-in BOSS effects, such as modulation, delay, and reverb, allowing for versatile sound shaping without additional pedals.
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How does the Boss Katana Artist MKII handle different music genres?
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The Boss Katana Artist MKII's multiple channels and voicing options make it versatile enough to handle various music genres, from clean jazz tones to high-gain rock and metal sounds.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
NEW Boss Katana Artist MKII - Double Your Tone with Next-Gen Features! - NAMM 2020
Reviews
PROS
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Waza speaker delivers superior sound quality
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Versatile with a wealth of onboard effects and customisation options
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Ideal for both home practice and gigs, with power scaling and master volume
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Exceptional tone with tube logic technology, catering to various styles
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Solid state reliability without sacrificing tone quality
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Front panel access enhances usability
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Takes pedals well, offering great integration with external effects
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Clean settings provide surprisingly good and semi-chimey tones
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Stereo Link feature for expansive sound in setups
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Built-in effects like chorus, delay, and reverb receive high praise
CONS
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Tone Studio software can be challenging to use
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Limited customization for pedal effects settings
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Cabinet material considered cheap
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Design aesthetics not appealing to all
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Some find it overwhelming due to too many adjustments
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Pots may feel weak or fragile
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Lacks immediate compatibility with Android/Apple devices without additional setup
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss Katana Artist MKII.
Features and functionality
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The Boss Katana Artist MKII offers a power control switch with 0.5w, 50w, and 100w settings, allowing for versatility in volume management.
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Owners highlight the dedicated effects loop and front-panel controls as major advantages over other Katana models for ease of use and flexibility.
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The built-in looping ability in the back of the Artist MKII allows for seamless loop creation without additional equipment.
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Owners appreciate the MIDI support on the Artist MKII, which offers enhanced control with compatible devices, streamlining footswitch usage during live performances.
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Software and compatibility
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The amp can connect directly to a computer via USB, providing an alternative to using a separate audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett.
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Tone Studio and Katana Librarian software provide extensive customization; the use of multi-EQ and compression is crucial for achieving superior tones, especially at low volumes.
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Setup and maintenance
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Adjusting master volume lower and balancing per patch volumes can help manage the amp's volume levels for home use.
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Other
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The amp includes stickers for relabeling the GA-FC controller, which are available from Boss if missing.
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User experience
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Users report that the 12” Waza speaker in the Artist model significantly enhances sound quality compared to other Katana models.
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Some users find the amp reaches its full potential only after utilizing Tone Studio, suggesting out-of-box performance is only a fraction of its capabilities.
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The Artist MKII is noted for being heavier and larger than standard models, but users find it manageable to transport, often carrying it alongside a guitar.
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Use cases and applications
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Despite being a 100w amp, the Artist MKII is considered suitable for home use when set to 0.5w, offering flexibility for larger settings at 100w.
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The Airstep Katana offers the ability to assign patches per foot switch, simplifying live performance transitions between verse, chorus, and bridge.
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The Gen 3 Artist is favored for its ability to produce both high-gain and clean tones effectively, making it versatile for various musical styles, from metal to SRV-style blues.
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Comparisons
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Owners who transitioned from the Katana MKII 50-watt to the Artist MKII note a significant improvement in sound quality and feature set, favoring the Artist model.
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The Gen 3 Artist excels in clean tones and clarity at both high and low gain, with a noticeable sparkle that sets it apart from earlier models and other solid-state amps.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 7 Ratings
295
Versatile but heavy
The good: The Katana has a ton of power and plenty of versatility. The Artist has eight preset slots. Pair it with a MIDI controller and you've got a lot of options for what is, in the last analysis, a standalone combo amp.
The bad: It's quite big and heavy. Schlepping this to gigs you'll want to invest in a cart of some kind.
And now the weird—and this is what I really want potential purchasers to hear. For people my age this is a weird concept, but to get anything approaching the best out of the Katana, you must connect a computer (by USB) and use the (free download) Tone Studio software. The versatility can only be accessed that way; the front panel only scratches the surface. Once you get past this hurdle and get familiar with Tone Studio, you'll find that almost any pedal you could want is built right into the Katana and can be added in almost any order, with almost any parameter tweakable, many in realtime via MIDI. It's not as complicated as flying a 747, but there is definitely an intimidation factor for people used to more traditional amps.
106
Great versatile amp.
This amp can dial in late 70s hard rock. It has three cab choices, and.vintage and modern sound just like Aerosmith. Very detailed without sacrificing bass and treble. Great for soloing. I couple this with a Mogami gold cable for a pristine sound source. It has a studio sound
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Can modern , gain at 9 o'clock, delay at 6 o'clock, reverb at three o'clock
177
Legit Gig and Demo Amp
I was blown away at how good the Custom Waza Speaker is! Great Low End.
The Effects and Tone patches at your arsenal are simply too good to be true, especially at this price point. Takes pedals well Clean Settings out of box sound suprisingly good and semi chimey.
Cons: The cabinet material is really cheap Not out of the box Android/Apple friendly Nitpicking: Be prepared to spend at least a week or two setting up footpedal/honing/patching tones
116
Great Tones!
This is the best Amp I've ever played through hands down. The built in effects all sound great and the best Uni-Vibe sound around.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss Katana Artist MKII, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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