Am I the only one that can hear a tremendous difference in favor of the Artist?

such a perfect way to compare amps, well done! All other reviewers should take note, use a looper and an a/b switch to hear back to back quickly

It's really noticeable how much better the base response and clarity is with the Artist, it just so much fuller, balanced and rounded. Irrespective of the way the 100 and Artist are packaged, I believe the real difference is the Waza speaker. If you put the Waza speaker in the 100 I think you would struggle to choose between them.

WAZA... excellent video. I'm an engineer by trade, and I appreciate the systematic approach you've taken to accurately compares these amps. Thank you!

The Artist wins. It sounds much wider and fuller, but only due to the cabinet and speaker. Keep the original Katana, add the speaker out and hook up an external cabinet for better sound.

Your side by side video structure is impeccable, thank you and well done. Most enjoyable and accurate too. I have both amps up and running right here. Earlier this year May 2018, I purchased my friends Kat 100 for $225, after he decided to get an Artist. After hearing the impact of the Waza components and the fuller, rounder tube like tones of the Artist, I trotted back down to my local GC and ponied up for an Artist for myself. Artist, and foot controller pedal NIB and out the door for $564. Now, I have both amps for $789, Now I'm thinking I need the Kat 100 Head amp, too. With the capabilities of the BTS app and the latest developments in solid state electronics, add in fewer working parts and no expensive tubes, this series is a long awaited happening. Add in the hundreds of people the world over working on interesting and creative low cost or free downloadable sound patches and magic is in the air. Now the problem is Hmmmmn, should i play the Paul or the SG ? or mebe today the TerribleTele. Thank you again for an excellent video

Waza! You convinced me to get the Artist. Thank you so much; I can't wait! EDIT: I received the Artist and have had a chance to play with it thoroughly. GET THIS AMP! You will NOT regret it; Worth every single penny!!

The artist has more clarity and less muddy. Anybody else notice this or is it all in my head?

Wazaa! This video really helped me, was planning on buying the 100 tomorrow but was super annoyed by the placement of controls on the 100, wasn't aware the artist has the controls on the front. With the better speaker and front controls I'll now buy the artist despite the cost. Thank you for posting this, very well done!

I totally agree about the controls on the face of the amp being a big advantage. Another drag about top mounted controls is the possibility of damage due to accidental spills.

this is exciting. The improved speaker plus the improved cab size and build makes a big difference. Knowing how good the artist is as just a cab, it opens up the option of getting a separate tube pre-amp head or pedal and using it with the artist as a cab/power amp, and you get the best of both worlds.

Thanks for the comparison. I just got a Katana 50 ( after 40+ years of tube amps- I've always been a huge fan of deludes, vibroluxes, and love my Peavey Delta Blues 210 w/ el84s). But the Katana is great- particularly because you don't need to muck around to find basic tones

I love your aby box technique for review amps!!!! Awesome review man!!!

WAZA! Excellent job. I appreciate your meticulous approach in both set-up (including graphics) and concise delivery.

Great content! I ordered the katana 100 MK2, but now I'm convinced I need the katana artist in my life. It sounds much better, imo. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to make this video!

I updated my Katana 100 with a Celestion Redback and it totally changed the amp, loving it! The stock speaker just doesn’t do the amp any justice.

Thanks for the great video. To my ear the Artist was far superior. The 100 sounded squashed. Loks of head room in the Artist's highs and separtion from the clear bottom end. You can hear the full spectrum of tones where the 100 sounds compressed. WAZA

First of all - GREAT testing methodology, this really let me hear differences between both combo amps. BUT the cross-wiring demo was VERY insightful. So here's my observations: 1. The cabinet size, construction & speaker of the Artist DEFINITELY have an impact. 2. The amplifier circuit in the Artist SEEMS TO ME to be slightly more biased to Class A - this is a tweak sometimes used in HiFi amps. 3. The law of diminishing returns ALWAYS applies and if I owned the Katana 100, NO WAY I'd be upgrading to the Katana Artist. 4. I didn't own either, and was torn between the two choices here, my wife got annoyed at my indecision and just made me get the Katana Artist and the controller pedal. YES, that's just one of a million reasons I married her, and I surprised her by buying her a bass guitar - she's a MASSIVE Bootsy Collins fan. See, that's yet another reason I married here. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, WAZA!!!

You should compare the artist to the mk2. 👍

Great review! I didn’t know if upgrading my 100 to the artist was a good idea, now I know it is the best way to go! At the end you are very right it all depends on what does the user likes, and definitely I like very much the way the artist sounds. So thanks for your fantastic and very accurate review about the sound and tones of this two fantastic amplifiers.

Great Comparison, I wonder why more reviewers don't A/B a loop into 2 different amps for comparison?? Brilliant!!! WAZA

So glad you did this. I was hoping you would but hadn’t asked so yay! Honestly though - you’re really doing a service here.

No other guitar related channel has the production quality of this one

Waza -Just pushed me over the edge for an Artist - Even through KZfaq my ears you can hear the differance. Great stuff - thanks..

Katana head w/ external cab(s) opens so many doors. Being limited to the same speakers all the time just isn't my cup of tea. That being said, the Artist speakers are killer and really add some nice full warmth in my opinion. WAZA

Waza! Great review. I’d say the bulk of the tone difference is in the speaker. The other artist vs. 100 review with two clowns playing together with different guitars was laughably pointless. Thanks for having a clue. I’ll be putting a steel guitar through both in the morning. Anxious to see the results!

Waza...... Super vid thanks. I just ordered an Artist after selling my Marshall JVM 205H. Lovely amp but a stage amp where slight noise isn't even an issue, not so much fun at quietish gigs or rehearsals. Figured an Artist K could knock over a few pins in the bowling alley at once. If I need serious noise my Ulbrick 2X12 can be hooked up, otherwise all I'm lugging around is the Artist and maybe three pedals at the most. Your great tests confirmed exactly what I'd hoped which is that Roland have inched that much closer to a seriously good tone without the glass vials. And I gather the programmable sounds are typical BOSS pedal tone hot. Good job!

Waza here. Artist model is on sale in Canada now - makes the decision easier. Thanks - great depth in the review, especially when using the same speaker in both. Keep it up!

I have a Katana 100 1x12 and footswitch for over a year now. I like the sound of the Artist, but after seeing some reviews side by side like yours. I was at Sweetwater GearFest on June 22 and seen they had the Katana head on sale for $299.79. I pick one up, because I had Marshall 4x12 cabinet at home. If I did not all ready have a Katana I would of got the Artist. I'm keeping the 100 combo because I have 2 grand daughters learning to play the guitar and when come over we can jam out in the garage. I have the garage heated. Plus one day I want to build my own 2X12 speaker cabinet out of birch plywood.

KATANA Artist seemed louder and had a little more bottom BUT I don't think it's worth the extra money so I will buy the Boss Katana 100 1x12 with a footswitch. Blues On.... & thanks.

WASA!!! I have a 100 and love it. I think sound wise they sound the same through the Artist speaker. Thanks for the video very informative. Cheers!! John Russell (75 year young Rocker now in a rocker ;) in the U.S.A.(Born in Portsmouth U.K)

Thanks , this has helped me decide to get the Artist. You can clearly hear the difference between the two.

The tones from the 100 sound better when played through the Artist, which means it's the speaker and cab that area making the difference here. Wow, to me, the overall package of the Artist gives it the edge here.

I have gigged both and I can confirm that the Artist has a much bigger and more "pro" tone, and easily has enough punch and spread to play a big club unmic'd ...superb. A pair of these would do anything you need. It's like a pro version of the 100. The amp itself sounds and feels like a redesign too....unlike the mkII 100 which just sounds cheap!!

Waza! Excellent idea using a looper and ab switch. I didn't notice too much difference regarding the preamp, I think the sound difference is around the loudspeaker and the cabinet of the Artist, which for my ears seems to shape the sound a bit better.

I just bought an Artist. The controls on the front panel is what sold me. Having the controls on top would have been a constant irritation. Any improvement in the tone over the 100 is a bonus. Thank you for the video! 😎👍🎸 Waza!!!!

Waza - I’ve bought the artist, and lovin’ it. Don’t care about the price, for me it’s close to a perfect amp

WAZA...I am thinking of getting the artist. This video helped immensely. Thank you, sir!

wow dude.. this was a badd ass "controlled experiment" with how you set everything up.. hats off man..

Just Upgraded from mk2 100 to artist, if you you can afford if it IS worth it. Speaker WAY better, sounds amazing. The midi control means I can set up lots of different patches on my TC G system and hit just one button to change Katana channels, turn effects on/off turn solo on/off. Even the integration with the GAFC is better, you can switch the solo on/off and do tap tempo on both delay and delay 2. The crunch and brown channels really sound way better on the artist, I guess they need the extra oomph from the better speaker. This video pushed me over the edge and I’m glad I jumped.

If I were to hear the Katana alone, I’d be perfectly happy! And as an amateur that doesn’t gig, I’m sure it’d be more than adequate for me. BUT there is absolutely no denying that the Artist has some extra mojo that the Katana doesn’t, in the lower end obviously. The cost is a bit more but I believe worth it.

Wazaaaa! Thanks for the awesome video! Exactly what I needed and what I was hoping to see. You're the man, Andrew!

WAZA Just picked an slightly used Artist w/ GFAC {sp} Your vids are great, super useful! Many Thx !

I wound up with the 100 after your demo and review. While I do think the artist has an edge the 100 will do everything I need and make me happy for a few dollars less. Thanks for the info.

WAZA! Great comparison here. Just getting back into playing with all this Covid lockdown and was going with a Katana 100 1x12 until i saw this. The sound of the Artist really comes across alot nicer and that front panel is just a huge bonus

Waza- upgrading from a K50MII and was torn between the 100 and Artist - sold me on the Artist thx so much!

Even if it is just the speaker, the cost of the front contols cabinet design and the cost of the speaker is fair enough and i would say its worth the extra money

Your setup and protocols are the gold standard for comparing the two amps. Well Done!

Waza! I already have the Katana 50 and was trying to decide between these two amps. For my usage, the Katana 100 is good enough for me even though the Artist had more clarity in tone.

WAZA! Thanks to this video I returned my 100/212 katana MK2 and got the Artist MK2, such a huge difference. Thank you sir for uploading this vid for all to see 👍👍👍

Andy, you said it it. It is such a pain't in the rear to stand up to reach the back of the amp. Having the panel on the front is amazing. I'm 100% behind it. I wish actually I hope other amp builders see these comments because. It makes or breaks my aunt purchases anymore.I had my Marshall DSL40 again.The panels on the front.I treated that app and it was the stupidest thing i've done I didn't realize how important it is to have the panel on the front

Great point on the front panel. As clean as the 100 looks, still nice having a front panel. AND it has that nice tolex too. Boss is killing it.

Difference can be heard without headphones, holy $hit

Great video mate. Thanks for making the time to do it. Early in the video it was obvious to me that the Artist was better in tonal quality , both treble and bass (and in-between) No doubt about it. Later it was a little harder. I previously listened to all the comparisons I could find, and now firmly believe the Artist to be of superior sound. I'm a bit of a tone freak, and if you get the Artist, as I have 'now', you will have a better sounding amp. I understand the $$$$$ are more, but that's a decision for the buyer to figure out. However, the Waza speaker and front panel were a no brainers. For me it's not ''placebo syndrome", but experience of 40 years playing and owning many amps including the 50sFender Tweed and 60s Blackface models. (Tube amps)

Waza up! Amazing comparison video on these two amps. Just ordered the Katana Mk II Artist upgrading from the Katana 50.

Waza! Nice video. I have been trying to decide on which of these for about a week. The Artist sounds a little better to me, but the real advantage is the front controls. I've had a Blues Jr. for 10 years, still hate the top controls.

Personally, I felt maybe the Artist came out marginally ahead of the 100, but real close, Having the controls on the front does make a huge difference, but again, that's a personal preference.........and WAZA

WAZA! Seriously considering a Boss Katana amp for myself! Thanks for your informative videos.

I have been on the fence about which amp I would be happier with. Your video totally makes it clear. The Artist offers a fuller more projected tone and the 100 sounds some what muffled by contrast. So, my hard earned money is better spent on the Artist as it has fewer limitation and a more open sound field. I too hate top controls as the are such a pain on a dark stage. Thanks a million for the video and yes I bought a tee!

Can we get “cowboys from hell” Mom: we have “cowboys from hell” at home “Cowboys from hell” at home 4:25

Wazza Thanks for this, I don't have a Katana and the toss up between these two is so hard - artist updates or 100 v overall £cost. For me it also probably relates to factoring in a foot control as well.

I just bought the Katana Artist MkII, and your video was one of the sources I reviewed in my making this choice decision. I like the sounds from the Waza speaker, and I also like the convenience of having the controls on the front of the amp. The only negative I found with this amp is it was unreasonably difficult to get the Tone Studio working. Although I had just bought the amp, which was on backorder and took two months to get, it required me to download a newer version of the software, which was difficult to figure out. Boss should be able to simplify this process in this day and age. For example Fender’s comparable process for the Mustang LT25 was a no brainer, as it does this automatically when you initially connect the amp to your computer. In addition, the Boss user manual is too confusing.

Thanks for your video - just bought an Artist MkI to replace my 50 MkI. The 100 was only in the race for a short time.

I gig my Katana, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in the mix, the price, and weight hike mean the Artist is not for me. Thanks for the review, best wishes Waza👍😉

Same preamp, almost same power amp (just the resonance control is add to the Artist one)?! So to be honest, for me the price difference is not totally justified! I bought a Katana 100 and add a speaker out, I plugged it into my Marshall 4X12" and compared it with the Artist model: in this configuration the Katana 100 was unbeatable!!! (And the Artist plugged into the 4x12 cab gave me the exact same tone as the Katana 100!!) As it was previously said by other guys it's just a matter of tastes and budget. I totally understand the player who haven't the knowledge to modify his brand new Katana 100 (and possibly destroy it) and prefer to put 150/200 bucks more in the Artist model and don't have to be worried about any modifications after buying it!!! But for me the price difference is way too big for just a different cab/speaker with the addition of a speaker out jack and a resonance control on the power amp section...! But anyway, that's just my point of view... Who am I to tell you what is better for you!?? 😊

The artist sounded a little better on distortion but the cleans sounded pretty equal. I own a 100 I think I’ll stick with it for the time being. Not enough difference to make me jump, but I do like how the artist control panel is set up.

Selling my 100 and getting the Artist now! Thank for the best comparison vid on YT

I bought the Artist used today for $400 to save money up the wazoo! Waza. Love the amp!!!!!

Definitely the speaker that makes the difference.

This is hands down the best comparison video I've seen. Great methodology. The artist is clearly better in terms of the speaker. The 100 sounds like a partially obstructed artist. Everything just flattened a bit and muffled. The comparison through the same speaker was much closer, and I think at that point really just a matter of taste. Waza!

It's this video that made me buy the Artist just last night. For me too, the Waza speaker and the front panel configuration made the sell. Money wise, I but it used with 6 months garantied, on Sweetwater.

I am used to tweaking settings on the top with tube amps, so the 100 Katana will do it for me, the foot switch offers you an extra layer of convenience also

Amazing review, the Artist sounds so much better. So sad it's quite out of my budget now. I might get the 100 tho. WAZA!

I'm at a crossroads. Done so much research (much from your channel alone) and this comparison really clarified the differences. The obvious is the control panel on the front. But shoot, the tone comparison sealed the deal. The Artist really shines there. Thank you!

WAZA This was one of the best comparison videos I have seen. (I did watch it to the end!) Too often different guitars are used on the amps being compared. Having the software set the same on both amps is a great starting point, and something that can't be done comparing different brands. Knob positions being in the same place on amps from different manufacturers doesn't mean much as the designs of the amps are different and the impact of the settings is not universal. Using the looper and playing the loop through both was a great idea. Thanks.

Waza indeed. They both sounded great but the bigger one would probably be able to keep up with a loud kit drummer better.

I am almost sold on the Katana based on your videos. I would love to see the Katana artist produced in a 212 configuration. That would really bring it home for me. Waza.

Waza, Andy just wanted you to knoe that even 4 years later your videos are still helping people make good choices. Artist I think is in my future. Thanks Mate!

WAZA!! I just sold my ENTIRE analog pedal rig (14 pedals) and Fender Tone Master Twin, and went with the BOSS GT 1000 Core and The Katana Artist! So Far So Good! Thanks for the video. New subscriber as well!

Just discovered this shootout. Great A/B comparison! I listened to this through my Surface Pro speakers, and the Artist clearly had more depth and clarity. But running the 100 through the Artist speaker... hmm... I'm not sure that the Artist was tuned because they sound VERY close once the 100 is using the Artist speaker and that would make me lean towards the 100. But that said, if I got the 100, based on the 100 running through the Artist speaker in the demo, I'd probably swap the 100's speaker out for one of the new Jensen D-series speakers. That would narrow the price differential significantly. Add to that the front panel controls of the Artist, which makes it infinitely more easy to adjust live when the amp is on a stand, at least for me, the Artist wins hands-down. I had the Katana 50 (loved that amp, but gave it to my son), and it was a bit of a pain to adjust live. Price-wise, yes, it's getting into low-wattage tube amp territory. But consider this: EL-84, 6V6, 6L6, EL-34, KT-88... they all have a specific sound and character and there's not much versatility. Plus, you have so much less control over output volume with a tube amp unless you get an attenuator or some other contraption (like an iso box), which means you'll have to invest even more money to tame a tube amp's volume. While the Katana does have a sound all its own, it offers a lot more versatility than a comparably priced tube amp.

Hmm, $150 for a speaker and cabinet upgrade. That's not ***that*** bad. The artist speaker is worth it and I am a fan of front panels. WAZA!

In my opinion the artis wins sound-wise. Definitely more defined on both low and high ends. Also, for me, the front panel controls alone are worth the extra money for being able to avoid the aggravation of fiddling with knobs I can't see. Thanks for doing this, I know it's 6 years old but it helped me make a decision today.

Great comparison review! The kicker decider is the same for me - control panel on the front! I like the size of the 100 better but hate that top panel.

Like this if you think the Katana sounded the best...

Thank you so much for this review. I own a Katana 50 and I love it. I am currently looking to possibly upgrade. I am thinking about getting the Katana 100, or possibly the 100w head. I mainly play at church so the reason for the head would be because of the ease of transporting it back and forth. I dont currently have a speaker cabinet so I would have to purchase one down the road. would love your thoughts on this situation. Also, WAZA!!!

WAZA! Great channel and you've got a new subscriber! Just bought the artist mkII but i'm struggling to find a good metal live tone. I would love if you could do a video on metal specifically with the artist. Cheers!

first off man I found your channel recently and I love your content! I just purchased the artist and for me its night and day between the two. The artist is extremely versatile and the base tones are amazing. run a cry baby thru it and you'll never stop playing it

Waiting for boss katana artist head with 412 matching cab (waza😁😁😍😍😍😋😋😋)

That was a very helpful review and your conclusion/ advice is excellent. I've decided to upgrade from my katana 50 Mark II to the artist model 👍

id asume you could buy a better speaker for the katana 100w and install it to increase its quality of sound too. Probably would be cheaper too

Waza! I thought the artist sounded better in most all the samples. I have been thinking of upgrading so this has helped! Thank you 😊

Shorter haircut looks great. Very clever way to fairly test the amps.

I think it's all in the speaker.... Do the speaker out mod, and buy a cab. WAZA!

waza. I think the 100 for €300 is unbeatable

AXA! I have the Artist on order and it’s in large part because of the reasons you gave. I can’t wait for it to come in…bad news is that I have to wait for it to come in… Thank You!

I realize you probably already know this, but its worth mentioning that the artist comes with an additional "color" knob ("contour" switch), in addition to a programmable boost switch, and you can also control it via MIDI, which I think would be a huge upgrade from the GA-FC controller.

So... The amps are totally identical. Clearly the Artist sounds better when you play side by side!! But when you run the 100 through the Artist... no difference whatsoever!!! Tweaking the amp for the Artist, Boss??? Yeah, right!!!

WAAAAZAAAAAAAA. I guess my fatass is saving up for a Artist. Thanks bro for your help.

Even through my crummy phone speaker the Artist sounded better in side by side tests. However, when you put the 100 through the Artist the difference was subtle. I’ve been toying with the idea of either a 100 or Artist head. I’ll need to try them in person but based on videos like this I think I’ll save some money & go with the 100 head through a decent cab (which I already own). WAZA ! 😊

Waza - thanks for this! I think I’ll be returning my 50 and upgrading to the Artist