KORG – digital piano(s) – new Natural Weighted Hammer Action

I noticed the new Korg SP-280 piano uses a new ‘Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard’. The current SP-250 uses an RH3 keybed, many of the newer RH3’s noting ‘made in Japan’ on the farthest key to the right.

1) Is the ‘NH’ keyboard going to be the new ‘weighted keybed’ for use in other pianos with weighted action, like the SV1 (or 2?), Kronos, etc.

2) Has anyone tried this keybed at NAMM 2013 – how does it compare in feel and response to the current RH3 series ?

I believe the NH keyboard is their budget action, used in the SP-170 and Krome 88. The RH3 is their higher end action.

Correct, but I'll add the NH action weighs less, a concern on the SP-280 after they beefed up their speakers significantly. That model is targeted to musicians playing small gigs, sometimes without separate amp. It was a trade-off for rising costs and rising weight.

I won't flatter the NH action, but it was certainly useable and the other model upgrades, sound upgrades were very nice.

I am more than likely going with this when it is available based on the fact that my Korg SG Rack contained my favorite piano sounds ever for the type of music I play (classic rock songs I wrote, Billy Joel, Elton John etc..)
What fits my style of playing is that the Korg does not seem to have a sharp of an attack in the sound. This unit will have 5-6 piano sounds and 3 brilliance settings.

Since I am always complaining about onboard speakers, with 22 watts per side there is more of a chance I will be satisfied with the Korg.

How does NH compare with GHS in the 25 pound range? On the units I have played with both actions I possibly might prefer GHS but the NH on the Krome 88 felt less bouncy/spongy than the SP170


I did play a Krome 88 but in my mind it would make more sense to purchase a SP280 and a Krome 61 since the price difference between the 61 and 88 Krome equates closely to the SP280 price.

The first time I played a SP-170, I didn't like the NH action that comes on this board. It was in my opinion a lot like Yahama's GHS, maybe a bit lighter. I think the RH3 action is much better that the SP-250 uses. I prefer heavier actions like Casio and Yahama GH.

NH is nothing special, but it works.

I think I've found a new quote for my sig...

I tried it an NAMM - the action was spongey. I did not like it. The sound my be ok - but that was hard to tell at NAMM.

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