Boss Katana Head Gen 3 100W Amp Head Overview
Compact 100-watt amp head with evolved Tube Logic sound, 12 amp characters, onboard BOSS effects, advanced connectivity, and a built-in 5-inch practice speaker.
Stage-ready 100-watt amp head with a built-in 5-inch practice speaker
New Tube Logic enhancements enrich the core platform with even greater sound, feel, and response, including an expressive Pushed amp character that edge-of-breakup fans will love. The BOSS Tone Studio app has also been updated, making your remote amp and effects editing workflow more intuitive than ever. Loaded with inspiring tone tools and diverse connectivity options, Katana Gen 3 is your indispensable center piece for studio recording, live performance, and daily practice. The compact Katana Head Gen 3 features 100 watts of Class AB power, a unique Bloom option derived from the flagship Katana Artist Gen 3, and an onboard 5-inch speaker for practice and checking tones.
Refined Tube Logic Tones
Tube Logic recreates tube circuitry and all its complex interactions at a component level. Our approach continues to evolve with refinements to the five amp characters available in previous Katana models, including the iconic high-gain Brown type. The new Pushed character spotlights internal dynamic enhancements with the touch-responsive gain of a driven clean combo. All six amp characters also include a variation for 12 distinctive tones. Going further, the Bloom switch engages a dedicated circuit that introduces a totally different amp feel. The sound comes alive with a sharper attack and a richly dynamic low-end response, two characteristics that are difficult to achieve at once.
Famous BOSS Effects
Katana Gen 3 features five simultaneous effect categories loaded with essential selections from the historic BOSS library. Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb sections offer enhanced sound quality, grab-and-go parameter controls, and three variations each for access to 15 unique effects. BOSS Tone Studio unlocks additional possibilities, allowing you to customise the onboard effects from 60 different types and tweak deep options not available from the amp’s panel. And when the optional Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor is installed, you can wirelessly edit sounds on the gig using the BTS editor app on your smartphone.
Complete Stage Command
Katana Head Gen 3 features a host of powerful tools for modern performers. Eight Tone Setting memories let you store and recall complete amp/effect setups, while rear-panel jacks support remote control with footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI. The GA-FC and GA-FC EX Foot Controllers extend your capabilities even further, providing complete stage control solutions for your Katana Gen 3. Switch Tone Settings, turn effects on/off, integrate multiple expression pedals, and more. The GA-FC EX model also includes an expansion option to double your footswitches or control two Katana amps at once.
Expand Your Range
Katana Head Gen 3 flows with all your creative journeys. Easily link two amps via the Stereo Expand* function, with master control from the main amp and stereo effects like chorus, delay, and reverb distributed across both amps for a wide, immersive sound. Or connect to the Power Amp In jack to bypass the Katana preamp and use the reactive Class AB power section to amplify a modeller or an external preamp. *Stereo Expand is supported on all Katana Gen 3 and MkII models except the Katana-50 Gen 3 and Katana-50 MkII.
Get Connected
Katana Head Gen 3 includes connectivity to meet every need. Plug in headphones to practice quietly with stereo sound. Send a feed to a house PA via the Line Out jack. And record to your favourite music software on computers and mobile devices over USB-C. All audio outputs feature IR-based cabinet sound for great direct tone, with three Air Feel types and two customisable settings in BOSS Tone Studio.
- - Rated Power Output
- 30 W (Using internal speaker)
- 100 W (Using external speaker)
- - Nominal Input Level
- INPUT: -10 dBu (1 M ohms)
- AUX IN: -10 dBu (20 k ohms)
- RETURN IN: -10 dBu (100 k ohms)
- - Speaker
- 12 cm (5 inches) x 1
- - Controls
- POWER switch
- PRESENCE knob
- MASTER knob
- SOLO button
- POWER CONTROL switch (STANDBY, 0.5 W, HALF, MAX)
- CAB RESONANCE switch (VINTAGE, MODERN, DEEP)
- [AMPLIFIER]
- VARIATION button
- BLOOM button
- AMP TYPE knob (ACOUSTIC, CLEAN, PUSHED, CRUNCH, LEAD, BROWN)
- GAIN knob
- VOLUME knob
- [EQUALIZER]
- CONTOUR button
- BASS knob
- MIDDLE knob
- TREBLE knob
- [EFFECT]
- BOOSTER button
- MOD button
- FX button
- DELAY button
- REVERB button
- TAP button
- BOOSTER knob
- MOD knob
- FX knob
- DELAY knob
- REVERB knob
- [TONE SETTING]
- CH1 button
- CH2 button
- CH3 button
- CH4 button
- PANEL button
- [STEREO EXPAND]
- STEREO EXPAND switch
- - Indicators
- VARIATION
- BLOOM
- ACOUSTIC
- CLEAN
- PUSHED
- CRUNCH
- LEAD
- BROWN
- CONTOUR
- BOOSTER
- MOD
- FX
- DELAY
- REVERB
- TAP
- SOLO
- CH1
- CH2
- CH3
- CH4
- PANEL
- - Connectors
- INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
- POWER AMP IN jack: 1/4-inch phone type
- LINE OUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
- SEND jack: 1/4-inch phone type
- RETURN jack: 1/4-inch phone type
- SPEAKER OUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type (Minimum 8 ohms)
- STEREO PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
- EXP PEDAL jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
- GA-FC/CTL CH1/CH2 SOLO jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
- AUX IN jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- USB port: USB C type
- MIDI IN connector
- BLUETOOTH ADAPTOR SLOT: BluetoothⓇ Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor
- AC IN jack
- - Power Consumption
- 77 W
- - Dimensions (Include handle and rubber feets)
- 470 (W) x 228 (D) x 215 (H) mm
- 18-9/16 (W) x 9 (D) x 8-1/2 (H) inches
- - Weight
- 8.8 kg
- 19 lbs 7 oz
- - Accessories
- Owner's manual
- Power cord
- GA-FC sticker
- - Options (sold separately)
- Footswitch: BOSS FS-5L, BOSS FS-6, BOSS FS-7
- Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, BOSS EV-30, BOSS FV-500L, BOSS FV-500H
- GA FOOT CONTROLLER (GA-FC, GA-FC EX)
- BluetoothⓇ Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor (Model BT-DUAL)
- * 0dBu=0.775 Vrms
- • Third-generation Katana amplifier with evolved Tube Logic sound and expressiveness
- • Stage-ready 100-watt amp head with a built-in 5-inch practice speaker
- • Six amp characters—including the newly developed Pushed type—plus a selectable variation for each
- • Five independent effects sections: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb
- • Bloom switch engages a dedicated circuit that revoices the amp’s feel and response
- • Three-way Contour for shaping the overall tonal color
- • Three Cabinet Resonance options: Vintage, Modern, and Deep
- • Eight Tone Setting memories for storing all amp and effect settings
- • Power Control for achieving cranked-amp tone and response at low volumes
- • Updated Boss Tone Studio app (Windows/macOS) for remote editing from a computer or mobile device
- • Download and share Katana sounds on BOSS Tone Exchange
- • Compatible with sounds created on previous stage-class Katana models
- • 8-ohm speaker jack
- • Power Amp In for preamps, modelers, and multi-effects
- • Stereo Expand function to link with a second Katana amp
- • Send/return loop for external pedals
- • Stereo headphones jack, line output, and USB output with IR-based cabinet sound
- • Record/playback tracks in music production software on a computer or mobile device* via a USB-C®
- • MIDI input for advanced remote control
- *Compatibility with all third-party devices and software is not guaranteed.
- • Jacks for up to two footswitches and an expression pedal
- • Supports the GA-FC and GA-FC EX Foot Controllers for complete stage control
- • Optional Bluetooth® Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor (BT-DUAL) for wireless audio playback from a mobile device and remote editing from the BTS app (iOS/Android)
- • Newly updated interface for a more intuitive workflow
- • Customize the onboard effects with over 60 premium BOSS types
- • Detailed amp and effect editing tools, including deep parameter controls, effect order, and more
- • Customize the IR-based cabinet sound for the headphones, line out, and USB recording output
- • Fine-tune the three Contour settings
- • Shape the overall tone with multiple EQs
- • Effect loop controls, including post amp/post reverb positioning and series/parallel operation
- • Save and organize Live sets for different playing applications
