This review details my experience using the D'Addario Humiditrak to address a significant humidity-related issue with my newly acquired Martin D-18e. The guitar arrived with extremely low action causing a persistent buzz, despite truss rod adjustments. I suspected dryness was the culprit, leading me to utilize the Humiditrak, a Bluetooth-enabled humidifier with a companion app for monitoring humidity levels. This review will chronicle the process of using the Humiditrak, from initial setup and data logging to the eventual resolution of the buzzing problem, highlighting its effectiveness in managing guitar humidity and improving playability.The Humiditrak played a vital role in addressing the humidity imbalance within the guitar case. While not a standalone solution to the buzzing issue (which ultimately required a luthier's expertise to uncover a dual-action truss rod), the Humiditrak's real-time humidity monitoring provided crucial information enabling informed decisions regarding the guitar's care. This review will explore the convenience and effectiveness of the Humiditrak, assessing its value for guitarists facing fluctuating humidity levels and emphasizing the benefits of its data-logging capabilities.
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The Problem: A Buzzy Martin D-18e
Recently, I acquired a Martin D-18e, a guitar I've always admired. However, upon closer inspection, I discovered a significant issue: extremely low action, resulting in a frustrating buzz when playing even moderately hard.
Adjusting the truss rod didn't resolve the problem. The neck, even with all tension removed, remained too straight, and the buzzing persisted. This was concerning, given the guitar's high cost and reputation.
The guitar felt remarkably dry. This dryness was the root of the problem, causing the buzz and making the guitar unpleasant to play.
The Solution: daddario Humiditrak
Sweetwater sent me a daddario Humiditrak, a Bluetooth-enabled humidifier, to address the dryness. My plan was to place the Humiditrak inside the guitar case, monitor the humidity levels using the app, and let the guitar acclimate over a couple of weeks.
The Humiditrak is incredibly small and easy to set up via a smartphone app. After creating an account and pairing the sensor, I placed the device in the guitar case, close to the headstock.
The app allowed me to monitor temperature and humidity levels remotely, providing valuable data throughout the process.
The Results: Improved Playability
After several days, the humidity level gradually increased, reaching the mid-50s. Opening the case, the guitar showed a significant improvement. The buzzing was significantly reduced, though not entirely eliminated.
Further adjustments and the eventual discovery of the dual-action truss rod by a luthier completely resolved the buzzing issue. The guitar's playability improved drastically thanks to the combination of the Humiditrak and professional attention.
The Humiditrak allowed me to track the guitar's humidity and made informed decisions on how to care for it. This demonstrates the product's real-world effectiveness.
Conclusion: A Valuable Tool for Guitar Care
The daddario Humiditrak proved invaluable in addressing the humidity issues of my Martin D-18e. Although it didn't completely solve the problem on its own, it played a crucial role in improving the guitar's playability.
The app's data-logging feature allowed me to closely monitor the humidity levels, aiding in informed decision-making regarding the guitar's care. This data-driven approach is a huge plus.
For guitarists, especially those in climates with fluctuating humidity, the daddario Humiditrak is a highly recommended tool for maintaining optimal playing conditions. The convenience of remote monitoring is a significant advantage.