Sandarac

Sandarac Based on the Essex/Suffolk border, Sandarac specialises in high-quality hand-crafted European String

Based in Essex, Sandarac’s small team is dedicated to providing our customers all over the UK with high quality, hand-crafted, European-made Guitars as well as Violins, Violas, Double Basses and Cellos. In addition to Schatten Design hand-made Canadian pickups and a wide range of UK and European made music-themed giftware. Our small team can provide in-depth technical expertise, advice, and suppor

t on instruments and pickups. Why not visit our website www.sandarac.co.uk or follow us on twitter

We're in Migraine Awareness Week and you would think that the last thing you'd want, if you're suffering from one, would...
09/09/2026

We're in Migraine Awareness Week and you would think that the last thing you'd want, if you're suffering from one, would be to listen or play music. Well, today's will show you why you'll be surprised that there's evidence to the contrary.

Playing music reduces the effects of headaches and non-phonophobic migraines by:
1. changing brain chemistry thereby reducing the pain
Listening to preferred or calming music activates the brain’s dopamine and endogenous opioid pathways; the body’s natural pain‑relief system.
This reduces the subjective experience of pain and lowers stress hormones like cortisol.
2. distracting the brain from pain signals
Music occupies attention and can “close the gate” on pain transmission (Gate Control Theory), reducing how strongly pain is perceived.
3. calming the nervous system
Relaxing music reduces activation of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal (HPA) axis, lowering stress; a major migraine trigger.
What's more there have been some clinical trials done supporting this. One of which, in 2021, using daily music sessions for episodic migraine showed:
- Reduced migraine frequency
- Reduced attack duration
- Lower anxiety and depression scores
- Reduced medication use

There's even better news for those of you who play an instrument as, even though there have been fewer studies, the evidence is that the effects are stronger than just listening to music due to the following:
- Deep breathing plus rhythmic movement regulate the nervous system
- Playing requires focused attention, creating cognitive distraction
- Emotional expression reduces stress, a major headache trigger

Yet another reason, as if we needed one, to get your instrument out on a regular basis and play.

Advance NoticePlease note that, with no cover staff currently available, The Old Dairy will be closed on the 17th, 18th,...
08/09/2026

Advance Notice

Please note that, with no cover staff currently available, The Old Dairy will be closed on the 17th, 18th, and 19th. This is due to Floyd Effect shows in Maidstone and Colchester (you can find more details here - www,thefloydeffect.com). It also means that we will be unable to offer any appointments the weekend of the 19th/20th.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.

The Old Dairy reopened today and, once we'd put the kettle on and had a nice cup of tea, the first thing we did was chec...
07/09/2026

The Old Dairy reopened today and, once we'd put the kettle on and had a nice cup of tea, the first thing we did was check all the e-mails, voicemails, and orders. We're delighted to say that all orders were picked, packed, and posted before midday meaning that (hopefully) you should receive them tomorrow. If, for some reason, you haven't received yours by Wednesday, please give us a call and we will track it down for you.

ReminderWith The Old Dairy completely closed at the moment we are unable to offer any appointments over the weekend. We...
04/09/2026

Reminder

With The Old Dairy completely closed at the moment we are unable to offer any appointments over the weekend. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,

Today we pay tribute to the 69 members of the music industry who passed onto the great gig in the sky during August. Th...
03/09/2026

Today we pay tribute to the 69 members of the music industry who passed onto the great gig in the sky during August. The music industry is the poorer for their passing.

1
Arif Babayev, 87, Azerbaijani singer
Jeannie Seely, 85, American singer, Grammy winner (1967)

2
Ross Ariffin, 63, Malaysian composer and record producer
Vicky Tafoya, 57, American singer-songwriter
Howie Tee, 61, English-born American DJ and record producer

3
Joseph Daley, 75, American jazz musician and composer

4
Jane Morgan, 101, American singer
Terry Reid, 75, English rock singer

5
Selçuk Alagöz, 81, Turkish singer
Salvador Chuliá Hernández, 81, Spanish composer
Col Joye, 89, Australian Hall of Fame singer and business manager
Nancy King, 85, American jazz singer

6
Eddie Palmieri, 88, American pianist and composer, nine-time Grammy Award winner
Aida Tağızada, 91, Azerbaijani academic and musicologist

7
Osvaldo Piro, 88, Argentine bandoneonist and conductor

8
Judy Bailey, 89, New Zealand-Australian pianist
Mirella Parutto, 89, Italian operatic soprano

9
Bjørn Kjellemyr, 74, Norwegian jazz bassist
Nobuo Yamada, 61, Japanese singer

10
Graham Fenton, 78, English rockabilly singer
Bobby Whitlock, 77, American singer, songwriter and musician

11
Choo Hoey, 90, Singaporean violinist and conductor
Celso Garrido-Lecca, 99, Peruvian composer
Chuck Girard, 81, American musician
Sheila Jordan, 96, American jazz singer
Gabi Novak, 89, Croatian singer

12
Amaresh Roy Chowdhury, 96, Bangladeshi singer
Cool John Ferguson, 71, American blues musician

13
Milka Eftimova, 89, Macedonian opera singer
Rachid Ferhani, 80, Algerian Kabyle singer
Mathias Grassow, 62, German ambient musician
Klaus Wirzenius, 37, Finnish singer

14
Roy Estrada, 82, American musician

15
Maria Krushelnytska, 90, Ukrainian pianist
Jamshied Sharifi, 64, American film composer and orchestrator, Tony winner (2018)

16
Joachim Grubich, 90, Polish organist

17
Joe Hickerson, 89, American folk singer and lyricist

18
Banu Kırbağ, 74, Turkish singer, composer and arranger.

19
Michael Antunes, 85, American saxophonist and actor
Harvey Glatt, 91, Canadian music promoter, founder of CHEZ-FM

20
Brent Hinds, 51, American heavy metal musician and songwriter, Grammy winner (2018)
Costin Miereanu, 82, Romanian-born French composer and musicologist

21
Jan Erik Berntsen, 80, Norwegian actor and singer
Stanisław Sojka, 66, Polish jazz and pop musician and composer

22
Tony Archer, 86, English jazz double-bassist
Miguel Proença, 86, Brazilian classical pianist
Yaroslav Yevdokimov, 78, Ukrainian-born Belarusian singer

23
--//--

24
Margareta Ivănuș, 75, Moldovan singer
Khaled Louma, 70, Algerian musician and radio presenter

25
--//--

26
Mestre Damasceno, 71, Brazilian Carimbó singer and cultural director
Dolly Parton, 80, American country singer, composer, and philanthropist
Tony Saletan, 94, American folk singer
Arlene Buckneberg Ydstie, 97, American composer and choral conductor

27
Jim Kimball, 59, American drummer

28
Zhanna Kolodub, 95, Ukrainian composer and teacher
Gary Didier Perez, 59, Haitian singer
Walfredo de los Reyes, 92, Cuban percussionist

29
Ex Tuuttiz, 36–37, Finnish rapper, music producer and DJ
Gabriel Feltz, 54, German conductor
Tom Hidley, 93, American audio engineer
Eric Ozario, 76, Indian Konkani music composer
Ahmad Pejman, 90, Iranian-American composer
Rodion Shchedrin, 92, Russian composer and pianist
Klaus Thunemann, 88, German bassoonist
Taimo Toomast, 63, Estonian operatic baritone

30
Evgeny Levitan, 81, Russian pianist
Juhani Markola, 83, Finnish singer

31
Teresa María, 81, Spanish singer and dubbing actress
Diego de Morón, 78, Spanish guitarist

As September is Classical Music Month we thought it would be the perfect time to remind you of our wide range of classic...
02/09/2026

As September is Classical Music Month we thought it would be the perfect time to remind you of our wide range of classical guitars perfect for improvers all the way up to seasoned professionals.

Most of our guitars were handmade by Christo who is based in the Orpheus Valley; where, incidentally, Antonio Stradivari sources the spruce for his instruments. In addition to these, we have an stunning RSC guitar which is one for the connoisseur; featuring Madagascan rosewood back and sides, AAA European spruce top, and ebony fingerboard all of which have been traditionally seasoned for over 50 years,

Reminder - The Old Dairy is closed all week.We are unable to process orders this week but will catch up with everything ...
01/09/2026

Reminder - The Old Dairy is closed all week.

We are unable to process orders this week but will catch up with everything when we return on September the 7th.

It is with regret that we have to tell you that we have been unable to secure temporary cover for next week.This means t...
28/08/2026

It is with regret that we have to tell you that we have been unable to secure temporary cover for next week.

This means that, whilst we may be able to answer the occasional call or e-mail, no orders will be able to be dispatched until we return on the 7th of September.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Today is Just Because Day so why not treat yourself, a friend, or a family member to something for no other reason than ...
27/08/2026

Today is Just Because Day so why not treat yourself, a friend, or a family member to something for no other reason than just because?

It could be something small like rosin, a set of strings, a lapel pin, or a key ring. A just because gift doesn't have to cost much and, if you pop into The Old Dairy, you'll find lots of options under a fiver.

Shop online, give us a call, or pop in - the choice is yours...

Today's 'national' day is more American than it is British, but it's still one we can get behind; you probably just need...
26/08/2026

Today's 'national' day is more American than it is British, but it's still one we can get behind; you probably just need to substitute patio for porch.

Music on the Porch Day encourages musicians to play more at home; both individually and together. And, with the weather pretty clement at the moment, why not take the opportunity to sit outside and make some music with friends. And, as all our instruments are acoustic, you won't need to worry about running extension leads outside to play them.

Address

The Old Dairy, Brickwall Farm
Sible Hedingham
CO93RH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441787463039

Website

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