Fender vs Boss Amps: Which are the Best?

Fender and Boss are two big names in the world of guitar amplifiers, but which brand makes the best amps? In this article, I’ll compare the signature tones of Fender and Boss, the controls, and specific models at different price points including the Boss Katana.

The Quick Answer

Boss specialise in solid state amps, whereas Fender produce a wide range of solid state and valve amplifiers. Fender amps typically have brighter clean tones whilst Boss produce crunchier distortion tones. Fender offer a larger range of amps to suit more budgets than Boss.

Comparing the Tones

Fender produces classic valve amps, as well as cheaper solid state amplifiers, whilst Boss specialise in solid state amps. Valve amps produce a more authentic and signature tone and typically have fewer effects, whilst solid state amps are cheaper and more artificial sounding, and can come with a variety of built-in effects.

It’s easier to compare solid state amps from both brands to one another, since they use the same technology. However, comparing valve Fender amps, with solid state Boss amps, isn’t really a like for like comparison, and neither is comparing valve and solid state amps by Fender with each other. So I’ll make these distinctions as we go through the rest of the article. If you’re a beginner, just look at the solid state options unless you’re happy to spend $400 plus on a new amp.

Of course, it’s hard to demonstrate the tonal differences without actually hearing them, so I’ve included a couple of videos to demonstrate.

Clean Tone

• Boss Katana solid state amps sound warmer than Fender solid state amps which sound a bit brighter.
• Fender valve amps have a very bright and “sparkly” clean tone compared to Boss solid state amps.

Here is a great video comparing the clean tones on the solid state Fender Mustang and Boss Katana.

Distorted Tone

• Boss solid state amps sound crunchier and crisper than Fender solid state amps which sound warmer and fuzzier.
• Fender valve amps need to be pushed to high volumes to achieve distortion unlike solid state Boss and Fender amps.

Here is a quick video to show the crunch tones compared between the Fender Mustang and Boss Katana (both solid state).

Boss Katana vs Fender Mustang GTX vs Fender Champion XL

The Boss Katana is the most popular amp in Boss’ range and can be most closely compared with the solid state Fender Mustang GTX and the Fender Champion. Let’s take a look at the specifications head-to-head.

The Boss Katana and Fender Mustang GTX both come in 50W and 100W versions, with the Katana being the cheapest of the two amplifiers. The Fender Mustang has 40 voices compared to the Katana’s 5 modes. Both amps come with over 60 effects, however more are built-in on the Mustang GTX.

The Fender Champion XL and Boss Katana both come in 50W and 100W versions. The Fender Champion XL is the cheapest in the 50W size, but the Katana is cheaper for the 100W version. The Katana has more built-in effects, but fewer “voices” compared to the Champion XL.

Feature	Boss Katana	Fender Mustang GTX	Fender Champion XL
Wattage	50W, 100W	50W, 100W	50W, 100W
Voices	5	40	16
Effects	60+	70+	6
Price Range	$240-$480	$380-$500	$230-$450

Models (Voices)

• The Boss Katana has 5 built-in models, each with a variation to add more brightness to each mode The modes are: acoustic, clean, crunch, lead and brown.
• The Fender Mustang GTX has over 40 models which are used to simulate tones of other classic and modern amplifiers.
• The Fender Champion XL has 2 channels (clean and overdrive), with 16 voices.

Effects

• The Boss Katana has 15 effects built-in, but allows you to access over 60 effects if you plug into a PC/ laptop and use the Boss Tone Studio software.
• The Fender Mustang GTX has over 70 effects available.
• The Fender Champion XL has 6 classic effects: reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger and tremolo.

Wattage and Price

• The Boss Katana comes in a 50W version (approx. $240) and a 100W version (approx. $370).
• The Fender Mustang GTX comes in a 50W (approx. $380) and a 100W version (approx. $500).
• The Fender Champion XL comes in a 50W version (approx. $230) and a 100W version (approx. $450).

Check out my comparison between the Boss Katana 50 and 100 to learn more.

The Controls

Before we compare the rest of each range against each other, I wanted to quickly discuss the common controls you’ll find on Boss and Fender amps.

Boss and Fender amps usually have similar built-in controls available, including gain, a 3-band EQ (bass, middle, and treble), along with reverb. Boss amps are more centred around effects than most Fender amps. Some Fender amps have a “fat-switch” which adds compression and gain.

I have some in-depth guides to the controls and settings of both amplifier brands so check them out if you’re looking for some more detail:

• Guide to Fender Amp Settings
• Guide to Boss Amp Settings

Comparing Amp Models

I also wanted to take an in-depth look at the ranges of both brands, so I’ve created three tables containing the specifications of pretty much every currently available Boss and Fender amps. The prices are based on Guitar Center at the time of writing. The tables all go in ascending order of price (low to high), so you can see what is available within your budget.

Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new amp because have a huge range of amplifiers for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s amp range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. 

Contents:

• Solid state combo amps:
• Valve (tube) combo amps:
• Head units:

Solid State Combo Amps

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Fender Frontman 10G	10W	$80	2 channels, gain, treble, bass
Fender Champion 20	20W	$130	2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Fender Mustang LT25	25W	$150	30 presets, gain, 3 band EQ
Fender Champion 40	40W	$220	2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Fender Champion 50XL	50W	$230	2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Boss Katana 50	50W	$240	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Boss Cube Street II	10W	$350	7 guitar models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, chorus, delay
Boss Katana 100 1×12	100W	$370	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Fender Mustang GTX 50	50W	$380	30 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Fender Champion 100	100W	$400	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Fender Champion 100XL	100W	$450	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, voice control, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato
Boss Katana 100 2×12	100W	$480	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Fender Mustang GTX 100	100W	$500	200 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb
Boss Nextone Stage	40W	$515	4 models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, presence
Boss Katana-Artist	100W	$600	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Boss Nextone Artist	80W	$720	4 models, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, presence
Boss Nextone Special	80W	$900	2 channels (and 4 models), 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, delay, boost, custom tune, presence

Key Points:

• Fender make the cheapest solid state combo amps compared to Boss.
• Boss offer the cheapest 100W amp and Fender make the cheapest 50W amp.

Head Units

Amplifier	Wattage	Type	Price	Settings
Boss Katana	100W	Solid State	$350	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Boss Katana-Air Wireless	30W	Solid State	$412	10 models, gain, 3 band EQ, over 15 effects
Fender Bassbreaker 15W	15W	Tube	$600	Gain, 3 band EQ, structure, reverb, bright switch
Fender Super-Sonic 22	22W	Tube	$1000	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Boss Waza	150W	Solid State	$2780	2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, presence, reverb, FX

• Boss only make solid state head units and Fender only make valve head units.
• Boss make higher wattage head units than Fender.

Valve Combo Amps (Fender Only)

Amplifier	Wattage	Price	Settings
Fender Super-Champ X2	15W	$400	2 channels, gain, voice, treb, bass
Fender Bassbreaker 007	7W	$450	Gain, 3 band EQ, treb boost
Fender Pro Junior IV	15W	$600	Tone
Fender Blues Junior IV	15W	$650	3 band EQ, reverb
Fender Bassbreaker 15W	15W	$650	Gain, structure, 3 band EQ, reverb
Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb	5W	$750	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb
Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue	40W	$800	2 channels, drive, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence
Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe	40W	$900	3 band EQ, reverb, presence, various switches
Fender Bassbreaker 30R	30W	$900	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Fender Super-Sonic 22	22W	$1050	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb
Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb	12W	$1100	Treble, bass, reverb, tremolo
Fender Tone Master Super Reverb	45W	$1200	2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tremolo
Fender 68 Custom Pro Reverb	40W	$1300	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Deluxe Reverb	22W	$1400	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb
Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb	85W	$1500	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Twin Reverb	85W	$1700	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Super Reverb	45W	$1800	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch
Fender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb	20W	$2500	3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch

Key Points:

• Only Fender currently produce valve (tube) amps, Boss do not make valve amps.

Here are some more articles you might find useful:

• Complete Guide to Boss Amp Settings
• Boss vs Marshall Amps