Dexibell
VIVO H3
$1,500
Italian sound design meets Fatar craftsmanship
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 7.1 Touch Reality 4.3 Value
88 13 kg
View Details Korg
Korg GS1-88 Review
Korg's purest piano for the stage — five sounds, zero compromise
88 Keys 17 kg real weighted hammer action 3 Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
3.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | No | +0 |
| Metronome | No | +0 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | No | +0 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 5 sounds | +0 |
Night Practice
5.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | real weighted hammer action 3 | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 17 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1340 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | real weighted hammer action 3 (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes | +0.4 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The GS1-88 strips Korg's concert grand technology down to its essence: five immaculate piano voices, the RH3 keybed with ivory-feel keys, and a 17kg chassis built for regular gigging.
Pros
- • RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) with ivory-feel keys — Korg's finest weighted action
- • Five carefully curated concert grand samples — Italian, German, Austrian heritage
- • 17kg — light enough for regular transport to gigs
- • Stereo line output for direct PA connection
- • USB MIDI for studio integration
- • Slim 120mm profile fits easily on any keyboard stand
Cons
- • No built-in speakers — completely silent without headphones or amplification
- • Only 5 sounds — no electric pianos, organs, or pads
- • No Bluetooth — neither audio nor MIDI
- • No recording, no lesson function, no app connectivity
- • 120-note polyphony is modest for a $2,000 instrument
- • Single headphone jack
The GS1-88 is a bold statement from Korg: a stage piano with just five sounds. In a market where competitors pack hundreds of voices into their flagship instruments, Korg bet everything on piano tone quality. The result is a focused, no-nonsense instrument that sounds exceptional through a good PA system. At $2,000, it's significantly cheaper than Nord and Roland stage pianos, though it lacks their versatility. If your setlist is all acoustic piano and you want the best possible tone for the money, the GS1-88 makes a compelling argument.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The RH3 action is Korg's best weighted keybed, shared with the G1B Air and C1 Air consoles. The ivory-feel surface and graded hammer weighting deliver a responsive, expressive playing experience. At 17kg, the action represents an impressive engineering achievement — the keys feel planted and confident despite the light chassis. Fast passages and dynamic control are handled well, though the 120-note polyphony means very heavy pedaling may cause some note stealing.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a pianist who performs regularly and needs a stage piano focused purely on acoustic piano sound. You don't want organ engines, synth sections, or hundreds of sounds you'll never use. You want to plug into a PA, select a concert grand, and play. The GS1-88 is for the musician who values tone quality over feature count.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes |
| Sounds | 5 |
| Weight | 17 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | — |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | No |
| Metronome | No |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | No |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1340×347×120 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
GS1-88 vs VIVO H3
The VIVO H3 edges ahead in Beginner and Touch Reality and Value. The VIVO H3 costs $500 less. Choose the VIVO H3 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Dexibell VIVO H3 →GS1-88 vs VIVO H7
The GS1-88 scores higher in Portability, while the VIVO H7 edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Touch Reality and Value. The GS1-88 costs $500 less. Choose the GS1-88 if you prioritize portability.
Dexibell VIVO H7 →GS1-88 vs PX-S6000
The PX-S6000 edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Portability and Touch Reality and Value. The PX-S6000 costs $600 less. Choose the PX-S6000 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Casio PX-S6000 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Korg GS1-88 good for beginners?
It's not ideal for beginners. The Korg GS1-88 scores 3.3/10 on our Beginner scale — it lacks key learning features. Consider a model with lesson functions and app connectivity.
Does the Korg GS1-88 have Bluetooth?
No, the Korg GS1-88 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Korg GS1-88?
The Korg GS1-88 weighs 17 kg (37 lbs). It scores 4.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Korg GS1-88?
Yes. The Korg GS1-88 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Korg GS1-88 have?
The Korg GS1-88 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
"Weighted keys" and "graded hammer action" are two of the most common terms you'll see when shopping for a digital piano. They sound similar but refer to different things. This guide explains exactly what they mean, how they affect your playing, and which type you should look for.
Read more →Similar Pianos
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5.6 Beginner 6.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.7 Touch Reality 4.3 Value
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