I know this is an old thread, but I heard something today that suddenly reminded me of something this could have been :
Breakfast Machine (by Danny Elfman, from Peewee’s Big Adventure)?
It’s very similar to the Sabre Dance in melody, and it also has an industrial quality. It’s been re-used many times. The thing is, it isn’t very plucked-string at all. Maybe someone’s done an alternate version (or you remember the quiet bits, which sort of have that quality)?
Check this Youtube video for a listen.