Gretsch New Yorker... can it support a Bigsby?

Jaded

Anyone out there know if I'd be able to mount a Bigsby on a G9550 New Yorker without the top caving in on it? I'm planning on adding a pickup and thought I may as well have a tech add one at the same time. 

I know there's no post connecting the top to the back like you get on something like a 6120 but there are definitely some braces under the bridge. I've seen a few old archtops with them on so I assume it should be fine?

ICBM

You can add a B3 (or B30, which is the cheaper version) or B6 to any archtop guitar which has a conventional trapeze tailpiece - the pressure on the top is actually quite small, really just the spring force rather than the full tension of the strings. Looking at the size of the body and the bridge placement a B3/B30 looks like the right one.

Jaded

Perfect, thanks! I suppose if the pressure from the bridge is able to be supported a Bigsby should be far less. Now just to find a decent pickup, hah!

TheMarlin

I'd pop a Charlie Christian on it.  I think CC pickups in the U.K made a decent clone that should drop right in. 

ICBM

DeArmond Dynasonic. Very 'right' on a Gretsch, easy to fit and sound great.

TheMarlin

The stock pickup on these (assuming that's the model you have) uses a pickup mounted on the fretboard.  

If you don't want to drill new holes, the Dyna would be difficult to mount...

Jaded

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking more for a way to amplify the acoustic sound rather than add a magnetic pickup (though I would like to eventually add the D'Armond Rhythm Chief). I'm thinking possibly a K&K Definity and pre-amp at the moment.