We will be looking at two popular products, the Boss KTN-50 Katana and the Randall RG80. Our tests and reviews can help point you towards models and brands that suit your needs. For more information and product comparisons, check out our longer article here.
First, let's have a look at the Boss KTN-50 Katana. Proudly bearing the same name as the majestic Japanese samurai sword, the Katana series presents guitar amplifiers with Crafted Tones that parallel the precision and artistry the historic sword symbolizes in Japanese culture. Perfected over generations of dedication and employing the same development process behind the renown Waza amplifier, they express BOSSs ambitions of providing the ultimate 'rock sound'.
The second product we are looking at in this head-to-head review is the Randall RG80.
The BOSS KTN-50 possess Five settings: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown (derived from the Waza amp), and Acoustic Expertly fabricated and meticulously tuned, they represent true craftsmanship and offer breakthrough enhancement functions for modern guitarists with electric or acoustic guitars. The Boss Katana delivers an unbeatable range of exceptional tones and it's rapid touch response renders it ideal for live performance as well as quality home recording. It can be surprising cranked up or played at bedroom levels with the easy watt selections of 0.5, 25 or 50 watts of power to switch between as well as a standby mode. It has 2 preset channels with a panel setting and includes integrated access to 55 BOSS effects via the free BOSS Tone Studio editor software. Also $199.99.
Founded in 1970 and providing high-performance amplification for many influential artists Randall has added some awesome modern improvements to their infamous design. The new RG series offer high-gain FET solid state combo transistor amplifiers for great distortion performance through a 12" speaker. Featuring adjustable spring Reverb and an external FX loop.
HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON | |
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Boss KTN-50 Katana |
Randall RG80 |
KEY FEATURES | |
+ Innovative Power Control. |
+ 2 channels. |
WHAT OUR TEAM THOUGHT | |
It features in-depth, full customization sounds with its simple, downloadable software which includes an app for mobile devices providing access to the online community with tutorials, patch sharing and more. |
This solid state guitar amp for metal players features a second channel allowing for an impromptu heavy metal jam with a friend. |
You might also be interested in Music Critic's in-depth article on this topic, Top 10 Best Solid State Amps.