Testament’s Alex Skolnick, Eric Peterson & Steve DiGiorgio's Gear
Boss unveils a professional 500-watt bass amp with advanced Boss technology and companion two-way speaker cabinet.
Katana-500 Bass Head
The compact Katana-500 Bass Head brings serious bassists a next-generation sound experience backed by decades of BOSS R&D. This amp is incredibly clear, punchy, and responsive, realized with 500 watts of carefully tuned Class D power. Cab Resonance takes things further, using high-tech calibration to internally fine-tune the power output section for the user’s preferred speaker cabinet.
With a simple button press, the Cab Resonance feature in the Katana-500 Bass Head calibrates the amp’s reactive output stage circuitry to match the unique impedance and frequency properties of the connected cabinet. This proprietary BOSS process analyzes numerous elements, including the lowest frequency the cabinet can produce, high-end resonances, and many other factors. With this information, advanced processing dynamically enhances the output to provide superior feel and response, powerful lows, and high-definition overall sound.
The Katana-500 Bass Head offers a deep selection of controls to hone the primary sound. There’s a four-band active EQ with three adjustable frequency options for both the low-mid and high-mid controls. A Bottom knob tunes the low end for different stages, while three Hi Cut settings smooth the sound as needed. With the Shape button, users can instantly revoice the amp with mid-scoop, bright, and wide-range curves.
The Katana-500 Bass Head also includes sophisticated tone-shaping tools to refine the fundamental sound. Via the Amp Feel switch, the player can apply Modern or Vintage tonal characteristics for different styles if desired. Comp and Drive types are available to control dynamics and introduce grit and aggression, while the FX section provides three bass-tuned effects for color and inspiration. There’s also a Blend knob to dial in some direct bass sound for additional clarity.
The Katana-500 Bass Head integrates a versatile range of connectivity into its compact design. Two locking-style speaker outputs support high-current operation, and the XLR line output can be used to send a direct, pre, or post signal to a house PA. Players can shape the line output voice from the front panel with three mic’d speaker emulation presets and three custom settings. There’s also a dual-function output for headphones practice or analog recording, plus USB for capturing mix-ready tracks in computer music software.
With BOSS Tone Studio for Windows and macOS, players can edit amp parameters and access over 60 BOSS effects to swap alternate types for the Comp, Drive, and FX sections. Plugging in a GA-FC or GA-FC EX foot controller provides remote operation of numerous amp functions, including the front-panel user memory and two additional memories. The optional Bluetooth® Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor allows users to stream music from a mobile device and wirelessly shape tones via the BTS editor app for iOS and Android.
Katana Cabinet 112 Bass
The Katana Cabinet 112 Bass delivers big, punchy, and articulate sound for any professional bass amp. It’s an ideal match for the Katana-500 Bass Head, providing full support for the amp’s 500-watt output in a compact, space-saving footprint.
The Katana Cabinet 112 Bass features a two-way design with a 12-inch woofer and a high-frequency tweeter. It comes loaded with an Eminence Neodymium Series woofer, a highly regarded driver with powerful sound and reduced weight. Switches on the rear panel allow the tweeter to be bypassed or set to two preset levels. The cabinet features locking-style connectors on the primary speaker input and the link output for connecting a second cabinet.
BOSS KATANA-500 BASS HEAD | Outstanding Bass Tones with Innovative Cabinet Calibration
You can purchase the new BOSS Katana-500 Bass Head and the Katana Cabinet 112 Bass at authorized US BOSS retailers in May for $799.99 and $699.99 respectively.
To learn more about Katana-500 Bass Head and Katana Cabinet 112 Bass, visitwww.boss.info.
The third model in Martin's Planet Earth series is a tribute to the Keiki Kohola Project, a nonprofit that promotes protection of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters.
This model is FSC certified (license code FSC-C008304) and 100% plastic-free, following the precedent set by our previous two Planet Earth models, the 00L Earth and OM Biosphere. Like the OM Biosphere, it's compliant with the Preferred by Nature (PBN) Sustainability Standards (license code PBN-SFP-039001) and adorned with the PBN Hummingbird Seal. Even the softshell case is sustainable – made from hemp.
As the world celebrates Earth Day, Martin Guitar reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship with a trio of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability across its operations. From the unveiling of its latest Biosphere model to the release of its annual Impact Report and the grand opening of a new museum display dedicated to sustainability, Martin Guitar strives to set the standard for eco-conscious innovation in the musical instruments industry.
Featuring artwork from acclaimed artist Robert Goetzl, the third model in our Planet Earth series takes us back to the depths of the ocean, where humpback whales raise their calves. Researchers are working around the clock to create an environment there that’s safe for humpbacks to raise their young, providing safety from manmade dangers like plastic pollution, vessel collisions, and climate change.
With the DSS Biosphere II, Martin hopes to raise awareness of protecting those environments, and the music they create. Impact Report Three years ago, Martin developed an annual Impact Report to highlight some of the company’s efforts to care for its employees, community, and the environment. It serves as a framework to advance these efforts and provide an update of annual progress. Key highlights of the 2023 annual report include: Employees: Without the dedicated employees who show up every day and take pride in making the best acoustic guitars and strings in the world, Martin would not be thriving today. Programs like an employee wellness program, education reimbursement, and training opportunities help to ensure our co-workers’ well-being. Community: Martin Guitar remains deeply invested in the communities where it operates. Since 1996, the Martin Charitable Foundation has supported the company’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education, environmental action, and human service organizations. Last year, the Foundation awarded $485,500 in grants to over 85 nonprofit organizations. Environment: Protecting the environment is of utmost importance to Martin Guitar. In 2023, the company supported domestic and international reforestation efforts, participated in one of the biggest green movements in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, and launched the second in a series of sustainable Earth Day guitar models that are FSC certified and 100% plastic-free. The release of this year’s Impact Report reinforces Martin Guitar's position as a leader in the music industry and sets a new standard for corporate transparency and accountability.
Summer School Electronics Class Reunion combines 90’s Russian Muff with 2020’s Trash Panda for a versatile drive pedal.
Each side features its own Drive and Tone knobs as well as Diode Selection toggle. (BLACK KNOBS= 90’S MUFF, GREEN KNOBS = TRASH PANDA) By tweaking the parameters, the user can open a world of tones which makes The Class Reunion a versatile drive, as well as a Riff-Writing-Machine.
The silicon setting on the muff side (BLACK KNOBS) is a more standard classic muff sound, while the LED setting creates a darker sound with more low-end. The LED setting on the Trash Panda side(GREEN KNOBS) is the classic amp-like overdrive from our Trash Panda, while the silicon setting is a lower output, but provides a crispier fizzier drive. By mixing these diode settings with the blend knob, the user can create so many sonic flavors, making this a reliable pedal for studio or live performance, as well as an addicting pedal to play at home and explore new tones and ideas.
Each pedal offers the following features:
- Independent Drive, Tone and Diode selection for each side of the circuit
- Master Volume and Blend controls
- Hand Built in Syracuse, NY
- Lifetime Warranty
- 9-volt operation and standard DC input
The Class Reunion is available at Summer School Electronics dealers, at a street price of $179.99.
For more information, please visit summerschoolelectronics.com.