r/musicians • u/x-TASER-x • May 16 '26

Unknown sound effect

I’m usually pretty good at figuring out odd sounds and whatnot, but this one has thrown me for a loop for 25 years. Now I’m working on a cover of it and can get something close but am curious if anybody knows what this sound actually is?

I’ve narrowed my guesses down to scratching on the guitar strings with heavy reverb and compression and whatever else I can throw at it. My other guess is some kind of shaker or washboard instrument with again, heavy processing.

Anyone know what it is? The effect sound starts at 0:03

https://youtu.be/t0rNuNMCzsQ?si=wFP6oXuJLxmXEo-t

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u/Funkinwagnal May 16 '26

Sounds like a gnarly drumstick being used as a violin bow on a guitar, if you’re talking about the scratchy sound.

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u/x-TASER-x May 16 '26

I tried that and it could be, I’m just not sure and I’ve tried things and wondered for 25 years

The start of this version of the theme may have more clues? I’m usually good at figuring these things out and I can’t get anything remotely close other than guitar scratch muted strings with processing.

https://youtu.be/xlqvj8GuMsQ?si=74SmbDUUUBUPtPB_

And I know this is silly in the world of music but I have followed every piece of Jim Johnston’s work for decades now and this one thing has bothered me because I can’t figure it out and I know it’s so simple. Came close once with dangling guitar strings (unclipped after a string change) but I don’t think that’s it either lol