The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.
“I have 50mkii and I only ever play it on the clean channel (variation on) using the onboard effects plus a bunch of pedals. The clean setting takes pedals so amazingly.”
“there's zero wrong with the 50mkii, but if I'd known All the Things I would have spent the extra money. I could if I decided it was important, sell/donate it on and get the 100 1x12.”
“I had similar issue with my Katana 50mkII. When I switched to a Marshall20DSLHr+Cabinet, and all was much better”
“50MKII is super bright, totally the opposite of muffled. Most of the time I try to boost lower frequencies in EQ to make it sound more bottom.”
“I use a American Strat 60th Anniversary edition through a Boss Katana 50MKII and love this setup to bits. Use that NUX footswitch to switch 4 channels on the Katana. A flawless setup really.”
“I got the artist mkII a few months ago and I still use my 50mkII. I personnally like to use the artist for my wet effects because of the effects loop but also because of the details in the sound of its speaker.”
“There’s really no difference between the plain 50mkII and the artist MKII. As long as you have tone studio the only thing you’re really paying for is the Waza speaker”
“I had the 50MkII and loved it but wanted the effects loop. I also absolutely hated the fact that the panel was on the top. It just didn't work for me when I wanted to tweak a knob etc.”
“Generally, there is a big difference with the stock amp presets but to me, it made a noticeable improvement after I spent some time balancing the gain.”
“I just bought an electro Harmonix east River drive pedal. It's a TS type pedal and sounds really great on my 50mkii.”
“I just bought a 50MKII for my son and it arrived today. This thing sound awesome! A ton better than I thought it would. I'm thinking about buying a second one for me.”
“I have a Katana 50MKii. It's incredible how far along these affordable modeling amps have come in the last 10 years.”
“I have the katana 50mkII as well and it's an insane value. If you haven't done so yet, hook it up to your laptop.”
“katana 50mkii is awesome. so versatile and the software u can play with makes it super worth it.”
“I went with the 50MkII (as it also has input for use with other modelers to use as a powercab) - checks all the boxes for me then. tldr; Home use: just go for the 50”
“I have a boss katana 50mkii I just got and the amp is fucking phenomenal. My current guitar is using cheap stock pickups and the amp has amazing enough tones that the pickups dont sound like crap anymore.”
“with 300€ or less you can get a boss katana 50mkII wich will be more than good for everything you'll have to do, easily customizable, lots of effects and shit Got it as my second amp this january and it's perfect”
“I do own a Katana 50MkII and it is definitely worth the extra $50 IMO. Great for home use when you turn it down to 0.5W and can get really loud even at that output. Great selection of tones (has that classic 80's brown sound that I absolutely love).”
“I gave it a try on my 50mkII, I've got to say I liked it a lot. I played on clean and adjusted EQ to taste.”
“I'm several months deep into my 50mkii and it is extremely nice and sounds fantastic both in my living room and in my Akai Force, which is a lot of words to say i have played and recorded out of this amp for months and the hum hasn't even showed up for me.”
“I have the Katana 50Mkii (among a couple of other amps) and I very much enjoy it.”
“As for the amp, I really like my Katana 50mkii”
“This is a super versatile modelling amp, filled with quality amp tones and effects. It's easy to use and it steers clear of most of the problems associated with digital amps.”
“I still own a Katana 50mkii. Its stupid good for how cheap it is. I have pedals that cost as much. As a backup, a loaner, or a low-risk dive bar special it's unbeatable. In any case, it's a decent amp.”