Announced ages ago as a ‘coming soon’ teaser, the Epiphone Roy Orbison 12-String has now been released.

This is a reproduction of the ’62 Epiphone Bard guitar on which he wrote and performed a crap-load of famous songs, including one about a prostitute with a heart of gold who falls in love with Richard Gere.

This has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back.  No mention of the sides, so I’m guessing they’re laminated (certainly not the end of the world).  Oh, and it has twelve tuners.  That’s six better than normal. Eight better if you’re a bassist.

If you buy one – and they’re a limited edition – you’ll get an Epi hard case with Roy’s signature on it as well as a stencilled ‘sunglasses’ logo.  You’ll also get a little badge in the shape of Roy’s glasses, some sheet music for ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ and a plush leatherette binder containing a photo of Roy and a certificate of authenticity.

I’m probably coming across as a bit cynical but this seems to be a nice guitar in its own right and, personally, I could do without a photo of Roy but, if that’s your thing, cool.  The important thing is the guitar and who doesn’t want some 12-string jangle in their lives?

The Roy Orbison will have a MSRP of $1,332 and, as usual, you’ll likely find it cheaper if you shop around.