Line 6 Catalyst,Black,60-Watt, 1x12

I have had the Boss Katana 50 MkII for about a year, and I love the amp. I got it for $140 used in like new condition and it was maybe the best thing I ever got for the money. But I knew the Catalyst was the "other option" for this type of inexpensive-but-still-amazing modeling amp, and I wanted one. So, I pulled the trigger on the Catalyst, not as a replacement for the Katana, but just as another option for fun in the man cave. One big difference between them is that the Katana gives you a wide variety of distortion pedals, compressors, boosts, etc - all these gain-pushing types of effects, whereas the Catalyst does not. The Catalyst seems to be based on the idea that each of the amp models, in combination with a boost control and gain control, is all you really need to get the right amount of distortion in any situation. And to my surprise, this seems to be true. The out of the box models just sound insanely good. I was shocked how much I liked the high gain amps. And don't forget that just because it's a high gain amp, you have to use high gain settings - because there are delicious tones at lower settings. Another thing about the Catalyst is that, to me it seems the power amp itself is extremely good. In my mancave, the half watt setting is almost always enough power. If I go to the half power setting, it is moderately loud at noon, but is going to get very loud if you go much above that. I think this amp (the 60 watt) is going to be enough power for just about anyone - it sounds a lot louder than that. It sounds like something far more expensive. If you are going to gig with this, you are going to want at least a channel switching pedal.One thing that I currently find somewhat inconvenient is that, while I have 12 slots for my amp presets, I don't find it easy or intuitive to remember what is in each slot. Nor do I remember which effects are on each preset. This is not like the Helix, where everything has electronic labels on it. I need to come up with a concept to help me find what I'm looking for, or I will have to just use a sheet of paper, which I'm going to have to keep editing. Either that or I will just have to keep an ipad connected to the Catalyst all the time. (It would be cool if this worked over wifi or bluetooth, but I'm sure that'd be another $100).At this moment I'm not going to say it's better than the Katana. I do think the power amp is better, and I think the sound is overall somewhat warmer, richer and fuller than the Katana. But if I'm honest, I'll admit that I do enjoy the distortion and boost models you get on the Katana, and I also love the auto wah it has. And really, I would have chosen a lot of different effects for the Catalyst if I had the option. I certainly don't need so many pitch-shifting effects. With Line 6 though, you never know when they might just say "Hey, we just put out a firmware update which adds 32 new effects to the Catalyst, and it applies to all the models since the beginning!" I think they are both amps are fantastic, and I plan on keeping them for a long time.

I have been playing the catalyst 60 non stop since I got it about a week ago. Not just because it's a new toy, but because it's just so much fun. I can't dial in a bad sound. And all I think about is the next time I can play on it. Works amazingly well with every guitar I plug into it. Takes drive pedals well and has an effects loop! I use the catalyst edit app on both android (need a USB C to USB B cable) and the desktop app - They're identical in function and very easy to use. I'm shocked quite frankly how well this amp sounds. The "feel" of this amp whilst playing is unreal you won't believe it's solid state modeling. I wish they had this stuff when I was a kid. The value here Is tremendous. For 299 you just cannot go wrong. I also own an hx stomp and plugged it in straight into the fx loop return with the power amp in toggle selected. Sounded amazing if that what you need for a modeler. I find myself getting the most joy from just sitting them, guitar plugged straight into the amp and just playing and enjoying the moment. I didn't buy it to replace my other rig, but more for the freedom to explore more sounds and not screw up my other platform. I gotta say, I'm having a blast and don't see the novelty wearing off anytime soon. I got a chance to record direct via USB to my DAW and worked flawlessly, again he value you're getting is tremendous. Has built in cab and several mic simulations and they sound very good. Basically Yamaha just put in the basic best sounding stuff into a combo amp, simplified, and it works! I don't think you will be disappointed. Go check out some YouTube reviews of people's impressions. It's not lip service, this is a legit (and very loud) amazing sounding combo! I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

This is one of those amps that YouTube reviews for not do it justice. Actually try one if you can before dismissing it. I’ve been playing this amp for quite awhile and it will stay in my collection. This review is coming from someone who is a tone chaser, plays heavy metal, loves crystal clean tones, and has been playing for many years. There are negatives but they can be elevated with pedals. The onboard effects are good, but they won’t replace a good pedalboard. I feel like that is true for any amp that has onboard effects. You don’t have to have pedals to enjoy this amp, but it makes it more fun. The onboard boost for the high gain channel is okay, but I recommend using an overdrive pedal and it makes the channel a dream come true. The high gain channel when boosted with an overdrive like a TS, gets incredibly heavy and will give you all the chugs you could want. The clean channel is also gorgeous. You can easily get Algae Bloom cleans with it and even when you have the gain up, it still sounds crystal clear. Exactly what I wanted from an amp which is gorgeous cleans and heavy, nasty distorted tones.

A well made amp, with good sound and response. Kind of novel how it has orange LED's behind the vent hole to give it the look of a warmed up tube amp. However, the effects loop volume was excessively low, and unable to be adjusted to a decent level on the amp I had ordered.The "voices" in the amp are good, but not extremely varied.In the long run, while it lacks an effects loop, I ended up going with a Fender Champion 40, which filled the same easy to use layout, and for me it ticked all the boxes, with better voicing and sound at a much lower price.

This amp with all its available features is an incredible value. Great tones available with presets and tons of effects. Manual override also available to dial in custom tones. Highly recommended.