Hi Jim!

If you have a Katana 50 - you don't mention the specifics of the other amps, and it sounds "tinny" .. "and artificial" to you, it's [u]not[/u] your equipment.

Whilst I appreciate we all have tonal predilections, it might (?) be time to have your hearing full range audio booth tested and assessed by a medical specialist. Although presbyacusis usually affects high range first, you might have loss due acute damage or disease affecting and distorting your perception of tonal range?

Pickup selection switch dependent to a degree, IMPE traditional Tele, Strat and ES-355 will still have a uniquely characteristic sound at the same setting on an any amp other than perhaps a something very basic like an 'everything sounds the same' Frontman 10G. To say you prefer their tones (?) unplugged vs amplified on either the solid bodied Strat or Tele is [u]definitely[/u] abnormal.

Semi-hollow body, the jury is out as they do sound sweet unamplified, but double vintage PAF like humbucker class are IME also definitely more finicky to configure at the amp end to obtain other than their strongly characteristic tone - which, one either likes or doesn't. Either way, preference is all of them plugged in for me.

I have all two of those guitar configs (Tele & Strat) and several amps (specifically Blackstar ID:Core 40 similar to Katana 50, and Fender Champion 100x2) which might replicate what you're referring to BTW, and I do have a double PAF humbucker tool although it is a solid body LP.

How do you find the tones of your acoustics amplified? I like mine both ways, but amplified offers greater versatility, and I know where the volume knob is and what it's for where subtlty is required.

I would have suggested trying different and new strings, but old or screwed strings alter the tone to dull or lifeless with inability to hold tune or other buzzing or tonal distortion issues rather than tinny IME which is the opposite of what you're reporting. Personally I never cease to be amazed at the discernible auditory difference between [u]fresh[/u] and [u]tired[/u] strings.

Digressing a moment, in my observation [u]most[/u] people who aren't playing professionally, including me when a neophyte, leave their strings on their guitars too long whether through procrastination or reticence to pay for them. I buy in bulk now x10 sets per gauge/type of uncoated D'Addarios in each of x3 gauges/types for both electrics (x2 gauges) and acoustic (x1), and change strings frequently. By buying this way online when the price is right, strings become a very affordable consumable. Acoustic strings are slightly more expensive, but so far I manage on about 30 sets of .9s, .10.s and .12s across my guitars, which is costing me around AUD$220 (USD$155) per annum. Cheaper than playing golf or squash regularly or even my annual gliding club dues.