Calling Boss's Katana range of modeling amps a success is undercooking it somewhat: it's made the Japanese company become one of the biggest amp manufacturers in the world. But it also presented a problem.
The Katanas had the finely voiced amp models and curated Boss effects to present players with accessible guitar amps that could excel in practice rooms and on bar stages, but while it was on that mission the mini practice amp market blew up.
The standard was raised far above the tinny novelty mini stacks of old, with Yamaha and Positive Grid setting out impressive stalls with combos that looked like they belonged in your living room, or came with the bells and whistles of app connectivity. It eventually left Boss's own Katana-Mini looking a little undercooked by comparison, though certainly affordable.
Launch price: $149.99/£146/€169
Type: 10-watt mini analog combo amp with digital effects
Origin: Thailand
Output: 10-Watts
Speaker: 5-inch
Channels: Three (Clean, Crunch and Brown), each with a switchable Variation
Controls: Bass, middle, Treble rotary knobs, power and amp type switches, Gain and Volume rotary knobs, Mod/FX and Reverb/Delay rotary knobs, Tuner/Bluetooth button
Connectivity: 1/4-inch input, 3.5mm headphone jack, 5v USB-C power input
Power: Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery (1500mA) with approx 10 hours life (3 hours charging with 5V 2A or higher USB power supply)
Weight: 6lbs/2.7kgs
Dimensions: WxHxD 287mm x 200mm x 145mm
(Source:GuitarWorld)
