So this is actually the very first Katana ’Artist’ Head - while it comes in the same Specs as the MKII Edition Katana Artist Combo Amp. Meaning that if you like the Artist variety of Katana - you now have the option of acquiring it in Head + Cab format - as well as the existing all-in-one Combo Amp.

This of course gives you the added advantage of being able to chop and change your Speaker Cabinet - while of course Boss has you covered in that regard too - with its matching new 2 x 12" Waza ...

I feel Boss still kind of bossed it in 2018 - with 3 heavy hitters that took on all-comers in those categories - the Katana Air, Katana Artist and Nextone Artist - a trio pretty much suited for any sort of conditions - the first as the best of the portable practice amps - and the latter two as the ultimate versatile gigging-machines - for those that still like to lug amps around.

I feel that this sort of cabinet form factor of amp will be largely restricted to more fixed locations as ...

I always expect to be excited by the new prospects introduced at Summer NAMM, but it can be somewhat antic-climactic, particularly compared to this year’s very formidable Winter NAMM show. Several pedals that were announced there are still alas somewhat in the ether. I was expecting to see updates of the Empress Zoia and the Keeley Stereo Tape Delay pedal - but those were not forthcoming, which most probably means some production delays - I certainly can’t imagine the Zoia is going ...

I know many guitar aficionados prefer to spend most of their money on amps, then guitars, then pedals. While in many ways I’m the other way around really. Although I wouldn’t mind spending around £2K for an amp or a guitar once I’ve saved up, my guitar will always take precedence as the highest ticket value item. For me the guitar is the start of the tone journey, and so much of what is important in handling a guitar and achieving great tone and dynamics is impacted by ...

If you are in the market for an electric guitar, there are actually just 3 brands which together still totally dominate and skew the entire marketplace. And while the birthplace of the modern guitar (USA) has become more open-minded towards brands from other points of origination. The UK is still very much overly skewed toward just a handful of brands. I’ve just completed watching the highlights of the BBC Big Day Out event in Hull, and the dominance of Fender, Gibson and Marshall is ...

The second most important decision after buying your guitar is which device you are going to use to sculpt and project its sound. Depending on the guitar you’ve chosen, you may already have a set direction - possibly following your favourite artist with a classic rock Les Paul plus Marshall Plexi Stack setup, or Fender Stratocaster plus Fender Hot Rod or similar - check Equipboard for details. There are of course already a myriad of accepted guitar and amp combinations based on ...