I don't know what they call it, but I think it's a really gorgeous finish, like a pearlescent root beer. If I had the $ I'd buy one of the 2008 'Rays they have over at Bass Central. Especially with a rosewood fretboard, it looks totally classy.
Has EBMM given up on the idea of doing annual limited editions? If that's the case, then the 2008 is the last one.
+1 Syciprider Gold hardware normally reminds me of a "Full Cleveland" tricked out Lincoln Continental with gold hubcaps and the fake spare tire thing on the trunk lid.