Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

Reviews

Accessories

Buying Guide

Keep in Touch

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

by John
(Oxford, UK)

I am doing some search as I am looking to buy a new piano keyboard. I am basically looking for a keyboard with the feel and touch of a real piano.

Looking at the specs on some of the Yamaha pianos, the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action seems to be available on most entry level digital pianos, whereas the Graded Hammer (GH) action seems to appear only in the more expensive pianos.

I also read somewhere about Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3) but not sure what it is?

Though I understand a bit now after my research, just to confirm, can somebody tell me the differences between these actions?

Related Posts

Best digital upright pianos under $1500
Best keyboards and pianos across various prices

Comments for
Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 08, 2011
Rating

Is it okay to swap the highest-octave B key with middle B key on my Yamaha digital piano?
by: Ivan Christiawan Budi (Indonesia)

Swap the highest-octave B key with middle B key on my Yamaha digital piano?

I have a Yamaha YDP-161 digital piano. About 2 month ago one of its key became heavy to push (middle B). When I called the local dealer to use the guarantee service they send a technician who brought a new B key.

He swapped the highest-octave B key to the one which is heavy and then replaced the highest-octave B key with the one that he brought from his office.

I asked him whether it's fine to swap the key in weighted graded hammer keyboard because I read on the internet that the piano keys are heavier in the bass octaves and lighter in the treble areas like in the real piano. He answered saying that it wasn't a problem, but I'm not sure of his answer. I tried to feel the key but I don't know how it is supposed to be because I have never touched a real piano.

Can I have clear explanation about this, about whether its fine to swap the highest-octave B key with middle B key in weighted graded hammer keyboard.

Nov 12, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)
by: Suresh

All entry level pianos will have GHS and as you go higher (more expensive ones), you will find GH3 or NW (Natural wood).

So within the same series of digital pianos, some models may have GHS action whereas some others may have GH or GH3 action depending on the price.

Here are few examples.

GHS - Yamaha entry level graded hammer action (all entry level models such as P70/85, YDP-S30, etc.)

GH or GHE - Yamaha Mid level graded hammer action (most mid-high end stage pianos: P140, CP33/300)

GH3 - Yamaha's new generation graded hammer action (CLP230-270, CVP403+)

NW - Natural wood (white key) action (CLP280 or CVP409, some grand models CVP309GP/CGP1000, CLP295GP)

Nov 12, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)
by: Mr J

Can somebody please provide few examples, maybe names of the Yamaha series for each of these key action types?

Is it that certain Yamaha series of pianos have GHS whereas certain other series have GHE?

Nov 12, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)
by: Suresh

In addition to reading and questions on the Internet, IMHO, it is far better to visit any local dealer and try out the various actions for yourself.

That's the best way to realise and judge how it is going to feel, instead of reading tons of posts on this topic.

You never know, you may walk out with a totally different brand / model even after reading so much about the keyboard touch on a particular brand/model.

Nov 12, 2010
Rating

GHS vs GH/GHE vs GH3
by: Peter

Please note we encourage posts with other names besides "Anonymous".

No, it doesn't and you don't have to be disappointed with it. GHS is not at all like the keys on an entry level arranger keyboard. It is far better.

Nov 11, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)
by: Anonymous

Thank for explaining the difference between Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3).

Does it mean that GHS does not feel like a real (acoustic) piano?

Nov 03, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)
by: Suresh

I know it can be confusing, and the Yamaha site also does not do a great job about making it easier to understand these terms.

Ranked from the lowest to the highest, Yamaha's key actions can be put in the following sequence.

GHS -> GH / GHE -> GH3 -> Wood

Graded hammer Standard (GHS) has a different action and is succeeded by the GH/GHE and GH3 actions.

Graded hammer (GH) and Graded Hammer Effect (GHE) mean the same thing.

GH and Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3) are the same action, but GH3 has improved sensors that make it possible to have a much faster note repetition, just as in acoustic pianos.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Digital Piano Reviews - Upright, Baby Grand Piano

Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

Comments for Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

Comments for
Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)