The Katana series of guitar amps were a success for Boss right from when they came onto the market in October 2016, so it was no great surprise in June 2017 when they added the battery powered Katana Mini to the lineup.

Features:

• Power Rating: 7-Watts
• Battery Life: Up to 7 Hours with Alkaline batteries or up to 9 Hours with rechargeable Ni-MH batteries
• Power Source(s): 6 x AA Batteries or DC
• Speaker: 4”
• Controls: Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Delay Time, Delay Level
• Input(s): ¼” Instrument, ⅛" Aux
• Output(s): ⅛" Headphone / Rec
• Weight: 2 lbs 11 oz
• Dimensions: 9.06” x 7.12” x 4.6”

The Mini scales back some of the offerings of the larger amps in the line, but with that in mind it still packs in plenty of great features.

The amp comes with three different voicings: brown, crunch, and clean. Brown is a Marshall voiced amp, crunch features higher gain, and the amp also comes with a clean voicing (like based off the JC-120). Between these three different models the amp features a ton of great different tones, especially if you’re looking for an amp that can pump out blues and classic rock.

The Katana Mini also comes with delay, which on lower settings can be used to somewhat resemble reverb.

The key selling point of the Vox Mini5 is that it’s essentially a combination drum machine and guitar amp, giving it an unparalleled amount of utility for guitarists looking for a backstage warm-up amp or a phenomenal portable practice tool.

Features:

• Power Rating: 5-Watts
• Battery Life: 12 to 19.5 hours
• Power Source(s): 6 x AA Batteries or AC
• Speaker: 6.5”
• Controls: Trim, Send, Amp, Gain, Tone, Volume, Effects 1, Effects 2, Tap Tempo, Rhythm Genre, Rhythm Temp, Rhythm Level, Start/Stop, Variations
• Input(s): ¼”, MIC-IN, AUX-In
• Output(s): Headphones
• Weight: 7.72 lbs
• Dimensions: 10.5” x 7” x 10.5”

Beyond the drum machine functionality, the Mini5 Rhythm also comes with a host of onboard amp models and effects. The amp models include Fenders, Vox amps, Marshalls, and even a Mesa Boogie. The effects include the most commonly used pedals, such as chorus, compression (a huge bonus for metal and country players in particular), tremolo, delay, and two different reverb models. The amp also comes with a tap tempo feature.

Lastly, the Rhythm 5 also has a mic and AUX input, as well as a headphone out.

The Yamaha THR10C is a “boutique” amp modeler. An interesting feature of the amp is the design ethos behind it. A piece by NewsAtlas features a quote by Julian Ward (an Employee of Yamaha UK) which states ”…a lot of players are looking for what they think an am amp sounds like rather than what it actually sounds like”. Basically, the idea behind this amp is that Yamaha is modeling the sound of a high-end amp after being recorded in a professional studio.

Features:

• Power Rating: 10-Watts
• Battery Life: 6 to 7 Hours
• Power Source(s): 8 x AA Batteries or DC
• Speaker: 2 x 3”
• Controls: Amp, Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Effect, Delay/Reverb, Output, USB/AUX output, Memory, Tap Tempo, Tuner.
• Input(s): ¼”, AUX-In, USB
• Output(s): Headphones
• Weight: 6 lbs
• Dimensions: 14.1” x 7.2” x 5.5”

In practice, the amp produces the general vibe of the amps it models (Fender 65’ Deluxe Reverb, Matchless DC30, Fender Blues Junior, Marshall Bluesbreaker, DR Z Mini). The Yamaha THR10C also comes with a host of onboard modulation effects. The amp includes chorus, flange, phaser, tremolo, reverb, and delay. Through the use of the included modeling software you can also use compression and even change the emulated cabinet for each amp voicing.

Roland’s Cube Street is a busker’s dream amp, packed full of features that will make any busker’s life an order of magnitude easier. The amp is divided into two channels: microphone and guitar. Both channels have an individually controlled EQ and output level, though the microphone only features a bass and treble equalization control.

Features:

• Power Rating: 5-Watts
• Battery Life: Up to 15 Hours
• Power Source(s): 6 x AA Batteries or DC
• Speaker: 2 x 6.5”
• Controls: Channel Select, Volume, Bass, Treble, Delay/Reverb, Tuner, Type, Gain, Guitar Volume, Guitar Bass, Guitar Middle, Guitar Treble, Effects, Delay/Reverb
• Input(s): ¼” / XLR, ¼”, AUX-In
• Output(s): Headphones
• Weight: 13 lbs 1 oz
• Dimensions: 16 3/8” x 11 5/8” x 9 7/8”

The guitar channel models five different amps, including Roland’s own Jazz Chorus, a vintage Fender-style amp, a Vox amplifier, a Marshall amp, and a voicing for acoustic guitars. The Roland Jazz Chorus voicing in particular is a unique inclusion, because since it’s a Roland design a lot of amps don’t even attempt to recreate it. The Jazz Chorus is a famed solid state amp, known for its great clean tones (the amp’s most famous user is Bradley Nowell of Sublime).

The amp also comes with modulation effects, including: chorus, flange, phaser, tremolo, delay, and reverb.

Roland’s AC-33 is a portable, battery powered amp aimed at acoustic musicians. The amp is designed to retain as natural of an acoustic voice as possible, which is great if you’re looking for a way to amplify your acoustic guitar while still producing an organic tone. Like the Cube Street featured above, the amp also features a Mic channel with an independent EQ and volume control (the Mic channel also includes chorus).

Features:

• Power Rating: 20-Watts (On Batteries) / 30-Watts on AC
• Battery Life: 8 Hours
• Power Source(s): 8 x AA Batteries or AC
• Speaker: 2 x 5”
• Controls: Mic Volume, Mic Bass, Mic Treble, Mic Chorus, Guitar Volume, Guitar Bass, Guitar Middle, Guitar Treble, Guitar Chorus, Reverb, Anti-Feedback, Looper
• Input(s): XLR, ¼”, AUX-In, Foot Switch, Looper
• Output(s): Headphones, Line Out
• Weight: 10 lbs 6 oz.
• Dimensions: 12 9/16” x 8 13/16” x 9 5/8”

A really important feature of this amp, especially if you’re planning on playing outdoors, is the “anti-feedback control”. Put simply, an anti-feedback control helps to control feedback. It’s a very valuable tool to have if you plan on playing in areas with less than ideal sound.

Lastly, this amp also includes looper functionality. This is great for live performances, though if you intend to use it to its fullest potential you will need to purchase a foot control.