1960 Dearmond Guitar Mike, alignment and a quiet G-string......

[DMgolf66]

I know there have been plenty of discussions on these pickups, but just wanted to see if there were any new insights. I have the following questions/need help:

1) what are the 2 rubber inserts on the pickup for? Alignment?

2) my Guitar Mike is from 1960. I understand these pickups had changed over the years. Anyone have a general breakdown of the time periods and how they differed?

3) I am using John Pearse acoustic/electric strings (the label actually has a Guitar Mike on the label). Has anyone had an issue with the G-string being quieter when using a Guitar Mike? I'm having a difficult time with balance on that string.

4) I have 2 large felt furniture pads underneath the pickup for cushion. Does anyone use very tiny points-of-contact under the pickup to minimize the somewhat noticeable damping the other method is.

Thanks for any insight, people of earth. I know the topic is a bit "as nauseum".

[sgosnell]

3. The G is always the quietest string if it's wound. There is no getting around that, even with steel windings. That's why the polepiece under the G should always be the highest. If it really bothers you, you can use a plain G. I use an 1100 Rhythm Chief with adjustable polepieces.

[KirkP]

Here’s the FHC patent if you haven’t seen it. It’s interesting to see what the inventor had in mind.
US2455046A - DeArmond Guitar Mic patent

Here’s some history and technical info on De Armond pickups.
VintageArchtop.com

[DMgolf66]

3. The G is always the quietest string if it's wound. There is no getting around that, even with steel windings. That's why the polepiece under the G should always be the highest. If it really bothers you, you can use a plain G. I use an 1100 Rhythm Chief with adjustable polepieces.

Thank you!
I had no idea about that. I had noticed it even more so on my Epiphone Sorrento, but thought I had a dead string. What the hell do I know, ha.
Thank you!

[sgosnell]

To get a wound string with a diameter that small, the core has to be really thin. I don't know the exact diameter of the core of any particular wound G, but it's probably smaller than the E, probably around a .008 or .009 on a .012 set. Physics in action. That's why you don't see wound G strings on rock sets - you can't make a string thin enough that will be strong enough. Most .011 sets have plain G strings, nevermind .008s.