Roy Orbison is easily the classiest Roy in the music business, and not just because he avoided signing his name over to a fast food franchise (no matter how delicious their roast beef may be). Nor is it because he was in possession of one of the most beautiful voices ever recorded. No, the enduring legacy of Roy Orbison is due to the elegiac, soulful, and moving music he penned, songs like "Only The Lonely" and "Crying." "Oh, Pretty Woman" is probably his signature song, and it's the inspiration behind the new, limited edition Epiphone “Oh, Pretty Woman” 12-String acoustic.

Based on the 1962 Epiphone “Bard” 12-string on which Orbison wrote and recorded many of his early hits, this tribute model features a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back for a vintage tone that's punchy yet warm. A graphic of Roy's signature adorns the back of the headstock, as does notation for the opening riff of the song after which the guitar is named.

The "Pretty Woman" model comes with a bunch of Orbison-schwag as well. A matching hardshell case has his signature and sunglasses graphic, a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Roy’s widow, Barbara Orbison and Roy’s son, Roy Orbison, Jr., a black & white photo of Roy with his original Epiphone Bard 12-string, a “sunglasses” lapel pin and a copy of the “Oh, Pretty Woman” sheet music. Which is all well and good, but the one thing I wish it did come with is a copy of the amazing Black & White Night concert film (see below). he one thing The guitar was unveiled yesterday, April 23rd, on what would have been Roy's 73rd birthday.

The Epiphone Roy Orbison "Oh, Pretty Woman" 12-String Acoustic has an MSRP of $1,332 and will be available starting September 2009.