Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage 88 Key Stage Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)Amazon is, perhaps, not the best forum for this review, but what the hoo. I've done so many reviews here that i may as well not stop now.
I acquired this instrument about a month ago and have taken it through its paces (including updates). You'll read elsewhere that the SV-1's sounds are mostly superb with the minor disappointment being its organ sounds. I do agree with those reviews and because of the updates I've been able to replace some of the sounds. The two transistor organs (the Vox Continental and Farfisa) are history. I have no need for 'em. The 6 organ sounds I now use are three of the Hammond jazz type and three of the 3/4 to full bar/registration type. In essence I can go from Jimmy Smith/John Paul Jones cool to Jon Lord/Rick Wakeman thunder.
I haven't replaced the stock pianos (Yamaha C7 & Steinway) because they sound fine - not great but fine. I still recommend these ppianos because I've auditioned several hi-end sampled pianos and NONE of them sound like the real thing. About the only "electronic" paino I've heard that makes me shiver me timbers is the modelled piano Pianoteq. It's chock full of character, depth and warmth that simply cannot me "snapshot" sampled. At least Korg makes an attempt by using a "hologram" 3D sound concept. Which brings us to their electronic pianos.
The included clavs (a little thin but still recommended), the Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer 200A sounds will make you **** your pants. They sound so realistic - warts and all - that it's scary. When you play a tune on one of the pianos then switch, for instance, to a Wurlitzer it's as if you've simply just played a real piano, turned on your bench to the right, and started playing a Wurlitzer. Eerie.
Much has been said about its digital effects and real tube sound. A keyboard with an actual built-in tube pre-amp/power amp. How cool is that? So far I've made this keyboard sound like the holy grail of stage pianoss, right?
It's of personal taste but some organ players might be turned off my the real weighted piano keys. They might also be turned off by the lack of drawbars. I'm confident that as more sound sets are developed by Korg, and as its editor gets improved upon, the shortcomings in the organ will be lessened.
Unlike, say, Korg's own M50, you need a computer to edit the internal sounds. Kinda inconvenient if you're not attached to one out in the field. It's, of course, impractical to build that many knobs/parameters into the SV-1. Korg is hoping that you'll simply edit the sounds to your liking at home then take it out on stage as is. That concept may or may not appeal to all. This particular keyboard suits me (and my band) perfectly because its focus is real organic sounds not synthesized ones. I actually did have the 73-note version thinking I wouldn't miss the other 15 notes from the 88 version - but I did. I couldn't live without the full piano-sized version. I felt like I was selling myself short.
So, really, just for the Wurlitzer and Rhodes sounds alone the SV-1 is worth the price. The 88-note Yamaha & Steinway is simply icing on the cake. Highly recommended.
P.S. One final but extremely important note. It doesn't matter how great your keyboard sounds if it's played through a crappy or inappropriate system. I've read where users have lamented about the piano's one-dimensional sound on a guitar amp. Duh! Actually, even through some keyboard amps, the sound is still lacking. In my home I plug the SV-1 directly into a pair of Alesis powered monitors (USB 520). The sound is excellent. Live on stage I plug into the mains so the sound is clear. I can't understate the importance of a good sound system. 'Nuff said.
Addendun: January 15, 2011. Oops! Amazon has a photo of the Korg SP-250 above instead of the the SV-1.

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The Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage Piano is a performing ivory ticklers dream machine. Its hammer-action full-cut weighted keys will satisfy even the pickiest of traditionalists, and its timeless vintage-inspired sound set is in a class all by itself. Lets take a listen to whats under the hoodAvailable in either 73 or 88 keys, the Korg SV-1 is loaded with 36 sounds concentrating on stunningly authentic-sounding acoustic pianos as well as tried-and-true meat-and-potato sounds encompassing the history of keyboard-based performance. Vintage electric pianos, funky clavinets, classic and instantly recognizable organs, string machines and, of course, pianos are all here at your beck and call, all at the touch of a button.Korg put a lot of work into the details of this fine instrument, recreating not only the authentic tone and timbre of sounds you know and love, but the intricate details that comprise the sound of playing these vintage keyboards. All this attention to detail results in an unbelievably realistic playing and listening experience.Dedicated knobs and buttons, all laid out ergonomically across the front panel and easily within reach take the place of backlit displays and menus, resulting in a satisfying, organic (if not orgasmic), hands-on performing experience.You can further enhance your sound using the onboard signal processing. Theres a 3-band EQ, compression, chorus/vibrato, tremolo, and wah. Plug in a sweep pedal such as Korg's EXP-2 or XVP-10 and have full control of the wah effect. Funky! Engage one of the amp models to simulate playing through a cabinet (complete with noise reduction). Onboard are multiple amp heads and speaker cabinets adding color and drive to the already rich detailed sound. Pass through Korgs Valve Reactor circuitry and add some authentic tube warmth to the signal. An end-of-the-chain limiter will keep things under control and provide a nice even sound across the full spectrum of sounds.The Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage Pianos outputs...

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