“You’d be hard-pushed to find a bass sound that you couldn’t gig with almost immediately”: Boss Katana-500 Bass Head review

This newly developed, feature-packed bass head features an Amp Feel switch and ‘Cabinet Resonance’ calibration technology to get the best from your cab – but is it a game-changer for bassists?

Boss Katana-500 Bass Head
(Image: © Boss)

Guitar World Verdict

The Katana-500 is a feature-packed bass amp that's ideal for the serious bassist looking for top-quality sounds in a gig-friendly package.

Pros

  • +

    Huge range of features.

  • +

    In-depth tweakability.

  • +

    We love the ease with which user presets can be made and altered.

Cons

  • -

    With so much on offer, making changes on the fly can be a little nerve-racking.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The Boss Katana bass amp range has been on our radar for some time now, having already experienced the Katana-110 Bass combo, followed by the bass-friendly wireless Katana Air. Now it’s time to welcome the first-ever Katana bass head.

This feature-packed bass amp boasts 500-watts of Class D power, onboard memory, a USB connector and optional Bluetooth adaptor, plus a range of built-in effects and sounds, with the extra ability to tailor those sounds via a downloadable app.

  • PRICE: $799 / £734
  • MADE IN: Malaysia
  • TYPE: Class D bass amplifier
  • OUTPUT: (4 ohms) 500W (8 ohms) 250W
  • FEATURES: master volume, bass, lo mid, high mid & treble EQ controls, built-in compression, modulation and drive effects, 2 programmable amp models: modern & vintage, line out with emulated mic settings, cab resonance, programmable presets, XLR DI out, 2 x SpeakON outputs, ground-lift switch, USB port, Bluetooth adaptor connector, headphone & rec ouput
  • WEIGHT: 2.8 kg (6.3lbs)
  • DIMENSIONS: 29.8 (w) x 9.6 (h) x 21.2 (d) cm
  • CONTACT: Boss

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Nick Wells
Writer

Nick Wells was the Editor of Bass Guitar magazine from 2009 to 2011, before making strides into the world of Artist Relations with Sheldon Dingwall and Dingwall Guitars. He's also the producer of bass-centric documentaries, Walking the Changes and Beneath the Bassline, as well as Production Manager and Artist Liaison for ScottsBassLessons. In his free time, you'll find him jumping around his bedroom to Kool & The Gang while hammering the life out of his P-Bass.