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Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier

50/25/0.5W, 1x12" Guitar Combo Amp with 12 Amp Voicings, 5 Simultaneous Effects, Line Out, Stereo Expand, Headphone Output, and USB
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Item ID: Kata50EXmk3
Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier
Price:$399 and 99 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $12/month with 36 month financing asterisk

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Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier
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Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier
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Frequently Asked Questions

Boss Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier

Q: What kind of sounds can I get from the Katana-50 EX Gen 3?

Q: Can I use the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 for quiet practice or small gigs?

Q: How do I connect the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 to my computer or other devices?

Q: What is the BOSS Tone Studio, and how does it enhance the Katana-50 EX Gen 3?

Q: Is the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 suitable for use with external pedals or multi-effects units?

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Packed with Gig-ready EX Features

The BOSS Katana-50 EX Gen 3 represents a supercharged spin on the standard Katana-50, borrowing a plethora of pro-grade features from its larger Katana Gen 3 siblings. What sets it apart? This 50-watt, 1 x 12-inch combo comes loaded with a cab sim-equipped Line Out and USB out; full compatibility with BOSS's optional GA-FC/GA-FC EX foot controllers; and an upgraded speaker. Apart from these exceptional EX specs, the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 sports six distinct amplifier personalities to play with, including Gen 3’s all-new addition of a dynamic edge-of-breakup tone in the “Pushed” voice. Plus, a quick press of the Variation switch unlocks a voice-specific tonal alternative for a grand total of 12 amplifier tonalities. Sweetwater’s BOSS pedal fanatics love how the Katana-50 EX Gen 3’s five independent effects sections deliver a library’s worth of classic stompbox-inspired effects, from spacious ’verbs to ethereal echoes. You also get a powerful 3-band EQ, four Tone Setting memories, a stereo headphone jack, low-wattage power control, and BOSS’ updated Gen 3 Tone Studio app. Primed for live performance, the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 is a must-have combo for gigging guitarists hunting after dynamic tube-inspired tones, classic BOSS effects, and grab-and-go portability.

What’s new for Gen 3?

The Katana Gen 3 series comes swinging right out of the gate with a newly evolved and enhanced iteration of BOSS’s revered Tube Logic technology, capturing all the harmonic nuance and dynamic feel of a true tube amplifier. These improvements elevate all the Katana series’ prior amplifier models to a whole new level of valve-inspired realism, but the technology is truly on full display in Gen 3’s all-new amplifier typed: Pushed.

Engineered to exactly replicate the ever-coveted edge-of-breakup sound, the Pushed amp character artfully embodies the touch-sensitive gain characteristics and lively dynamics of a clean tube combo cranked to its breaking point. Furthermore, the Katana’s third generation comes complete with a whole host of improvements to the BOSS Tone Studio, including UI and editing upgrades for a quicker, more straightforward workflow.

12 amp voices to explore

In addition to Generation 3’s new Pushed amp, this Katana contains all five of the MkII series’ time-tested amplifier voices, all optimized by BOSS’s evolved Tube Logic technology. Lead, Crunch, and Pushed are all aimed to please dirt-obsessed players with a wealth of remarkably tube-like tones, and you even get a “Brown” voice that delivers screaming ’80s hard-rock sounds in spades. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Katana Gen 3 series boasts a lush, full-bodied Clean voice and an Acoustic voice to accommodate your acoustic-electric arsenal. It all adds up to a grand total of six amplifiers to choose from, but that’s only half the story — a Variation switch effectively doubles the amp tones at your disposal with distinct sonic spins on each amp’s sound!

Cab-emulated outputs for silent recording and performance

While the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 offers a Power Control for getting cranked-amp tone at a low volume level, you can achieve truly silent operation onstage or in the studio by connecting the amp’s line output to a line input on your recording device or a PA. Cab emulation is available on the USB and headphone outputs, as well, so however you choose to monitor your Katana-50 EX Gen 3, it’ll feel like you’re standing in front of an amp.

Power Amp In(put)

Got a floor unit or tube preamp you can’t live without? You can access all 50 watts of the Katana-50 EX Gen 3’s Class AB power section using the power amp input. Here, you bypass everything before the power amp, so what you hear is exactly what you expect — only live and in living color.

Wireless control via BOSS’s optional Bluetooth adapter

While previous Katana amplifiers required a USB connection to access the editor, each model in the third generation now comes equipped with a dedicated jack on the back to connect with the optional BOSS BT-DUAL Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adapter. This adapter allows you to make instant on-the-fly edits to your Katana’s tone straight from your mobile device. Plus, you can also use it to stream songs and backing tracks to make the most of your woodshedding sessions!

Powered by the Gen 3 BOSS Tone Studio editor

Upgraded with an enhanced UI and editing options for Gen 3, the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 supports over 60 timeless BOSS effects, and you can load an entire series of them for instant access. The amp's Booster/Mod, FX/Delay, and Reverb controls give you easy one-knob access to up to five simultaneous effects types, with a color-coded button to switch between preset effects. To completely customize your effects and amp settings, connect the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 to your computer via USB and load up the Tone Studio software. Here, you can create your own setup or download setups created by pro guitarists at the BOSS Tone Studio website. Best of all, the Katana-50 EX Gen 3 can store multiple custom amp and effects profiles for instant recall, making this combo a versatile multichannel amplifier.

BOSS Katana-50 EX Gen 3 50-watt 1 x 12-inch Combo Amplifier Features:

  • Gen 3 update to BOSS’s beloved line of Katana amplifiers
  • Compact grab-and-go 1 x 12-inch, 50-watt combo amp, upgraded with a plethora of pro-grade features from its larger Katana-series siblings
  • Optional BOSS BT-Dual Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adapter available separately, offering wireless access to the Katana’s editing and streaming capabilities
  • Upgraded with evolved Tube Logic technology to deliver the most valve-like tone and feel possible
  • 6 onboard amp characters to explore, from the new edge-of-breakup Pushed tone to Katana classics like Clean, Brown, Lead, Crunch, and Acoustic
  • Each amplifier voice sports a single variation, adding up to a total of 12 amps to choose from
  • 5 independent effects sections supply you with myriad reverb, delay, and modulation options
  • Powerful 3-band EQ to dial in your sound
  • Power Control scales down your amp’s output to achieve cranked tones at manageable volumes
  • Cab sim-equipped Line Out, stereo headphone jack, and USB out
  • Gen 3 upgraded BOSS Tone Studio sports an enhanced UI, improved editing tools, and much more
  • Full compatibility with BOSS’s optional GA-FC/GA-FC EX

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Solid State Modeling Amp
  • Number of Channels: 4
  • Output Power: 50W (25W, 0.5W setting)
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Boss Custom Katana 70W
  • Amp Modeling: Acoustic, Clean, Pushed, Crunch, Lead, Brown
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, Presence, Contour switch
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (in), 1 x 1/4" (power amp in), 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (line out)
  • USB: 1 x USB-C
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth with BT-Dual Adaptor
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (GA-FC), 1 x 1/4" (EXP Pedal)
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 15.68"
  • Width: 18.56"
  • Depth: 9.37"
  • Weight: 25.81 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: KTN50 3EX

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Reviews

Such a perfect practice amp!
This amp is so incredible, I will undoubtedly leave something out that really excited me about it.

First off lets get right to the most important point: the tone. It's incredible. Not only is it incredible with default settings, there are literally 12 different amp tones built into it and they all sound incredible. Beyond that, you also have a 3 band eq to shape the tone further, and a whole host of great sounding effects.

Let's cover the effects next. If you have an FA-GC pedal set, you have on/off controls for each individual effect, otherwise there's a knob for each effect on top of the cab. If you use the Tone Studio app/program, you get get full control over the effect too, with every available parameter you'd expect out of a full sized pedal. The are for sure digital effects, but I doubt anyone could tell in a blind AB test, let alone as part of a song.

With the FA-GC you can connect 3(!) expression pedals and chose whatever parameter you want it to affect in the Tone Studio app/program. There's also several presets for amp/effects so you can have on-the-fly lead/solo tones easily.

The cab is built well, the controls feel solid, the power is a full-sized cable, and it's open backed for great projection (keep it off the walls guys!).

One of my favorite features is the 0.5w mode. Now I know you're thinking "it's gotta suck at such a low sound", but MAAAAAAN it still shreds. No gain sound loss at all. it Is astounding how good it sounds at low volumes. THere's also a headphone jack in the back if you want to go completely quiet. Perfect for a small space, thin walls, apartments, etc.

I have no cons to speak of, besides maybe picking it up as late as I did lol. 10/10 product!
Music background: Mastering Engineer
Awesome Amp
I haven't played in 20 years, so I picked up a guitar and this amp. It's crazy how much tech is in these combo amps these days so many different tones I love it. I'm not in a band or anything just trying to relearn guitar again and I really like that I can plug this into my computer and change pedals and everything. Like I said just an awesome amp I would recommend this thing to anyone.
Music background: Novice
Boss Katana 50 watt gen 3 ex
I love his amp. The best amp I've ever owned right out of the box. Haven't hooked up to anything, haven't modified the Settings played a couple gigs with it and it is just great the way it is. Eventually, I will hook it up to a foot pedal and get in and start tweaking things but just out of the box it's a great amp. I highly recommend it.
Wow, they did THAT?
Owned a 100W 1st Gen Katana Artist, but found it just too heavy for a grab-and-go amp at 42 pounds.

This really hits the sweet spot at just shy of 26 pounds, has tone for days that's really quick and easy to dial in.
I think I found my forever amp...

The 3rd generation is great for effects tweaking on the fly without the app, since there are now concentric knobs dedicated to each of the four effects plus reverb. Adding the FA-GC is a MUST for live work and brings easy access to all 8 presets!

The more I explored the amp, the more I found myself saying "Wow, they did THAT???"
All Most Players Will Need
I've been playing for more than 40 years, and I've had many versions of the "have to have" amps (Fender, Vox, Mesa…). This Boss Katana 50 Gen3 EX is more than enough amp than most guitar player will ever need. The previous versions lacked live player usability without the GA-FC footswitch and line out. I'm so glad they rectified that here. It's plenty loud for practice and smaller, unmic'd rehearsals and performance. With the line out, take your perfected sound straight to board. The amp versions (particularly, the pushed) and effects are inspiring. Don't get me wrong. I'll never get rid of my Princeton Reverb but for practice and live gig duties ( especially in my 50s) the less I have to carry, the better. I've gigged with it several times, and was not at all missing having to mic a cab or ensure all my patch cables were functional. This amp is well worth the price, and is proving to be a trusty tool for creating music.

As always, my Sweetheart engineer Jimmy Hart took exceptional care of me during the ordering process.