Electric steel guitar sound effects -- how do they do it?

[Jack Hanson]

Almost since its inception, musicians have achieved a wide array of novelty sounds from their electric steel guitars. From bar slams to boo-wahs to violins and more, what I wanna know is how to achieve a convincing siren effect, ala Hot Rod Lincoln, Highway Patrol, and many others.

Would someone who has mastered the siren effect please explain how they do it? Any special needs as far as peripheral gear is concerned, aside from an instrument, a volume control (what's best -- a pot mounted on the instrument itself, or one in a pedal), and an amplifier? Are harmonics involved? Does the key of the song determine what notes you play?

Curious minds with plenty of practice time on their hands wanna know!

[colin mcintosh]

While not strictly the traditional siren, a good hee-haw siren can be played using the 2nd and 4th strings played first on the 5th fret and then open and repeat.

As you play it, move the bar down in micro tones to simulate a doppler effect.

[Mike Neer]

Jack, I believe it’s a fiddle playing the siren on Hot Rod Lincoln. However, the same applies to steel guitar. Simply find the starting, rising and ending notes, no pedal necessary.

[Donny Hinson]

Would someone who has mastered the siren effect please explain how they do it? Any special needs as far as peripheral gear is concerned, aside from an instrument, a volume control (what's best -- a pot mounted on the instrument itself, or one in a pedal), and an amplifier? Are harmonics involved? Does the key of the song determine what notes you play?

I normally use string #1, but any of the fine wires will do. With your pedal all the way off, and starting around fret 7, pick the string hard. Then, slowly add volume pedal while sliding the bar up the neck to about fret 12 or 14. Remember, a siren coming towards you raises in pitch, and a siren going away from (or turned off) you lowers in pitch. So, when you get near the high position, trail the bar back down very slowly.

It's sort of an old effect, as most of the (solid-state/speaker) sirens now are whoopers, screechers, and buzzers.

[Jack Hanson]

Thanks, guys. Time for me to hit the woodshed and practice quietly enough to prevent the neighborhood dogs from howling along.

Jack, I believe it’s a fiddle playing the siren on Hot Rod Lincoln.

I should have specified the version(s) of this oft covered tune to which I was referring. In the original 1955 Charlie Ryan version, the siren sure sounds like steel guitar to me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e58NJU5B3v8


The 1960 Johnny Bond cover seems use the steel for other effects as well, from the Cadillac sedan passing by, to fenders clickin' the guardrail post, to knockin' rods, to screeching tires, and, of course, the police siren:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcrAR6GJkUs


Hot Rod Lincoln was an answer song to Arkie Shibley's 1950 Hot Rod Race, of which he recorded no less than four different versions. What became steel parts in Hot Rod Lincoln sound to me like a standard guitar in Arkie's original(s). But I wouldn't bet my Bakelite on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ub9nQ0YVCg

[Dan Kelly]

The siren on the Johnny Bond cut sounds to me like one of those "siren whistles" I had a a kid.

Although I am aghast at this individual's blatant disregard for the use of dangling prepositions and passe slang, here is a clip of the Acme Siren Whistle...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VFXA6XXEVY