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DiMarzio Air Classic vs DiMarzio PAF Joe

high confidence

Compared with the DiMarzio Air Classic, the DiMarzio PAF Joe has hotter output.

Specs side by side

differs marks specs where they part ways
SpecDiMarzio Air ClassicDiMarzio PAF Joe
DC resistancediffers8.62k8.26k
Inductancediffers3.50 H (measured, 2 readings)4.60 H (compiled)
MagnetAlnico 5Alnico 5
CoilHum-cancellingHum-cancelling
Bass (tone chart)differs3.5 / 103 / 10
Mids (tone chart)differs4.25 / 104.5 / 10
Treble (tone chart)differs6 / 106.5 / 10
Slotdiffersbridge humbuckerhumbucker
Traitsvintage output, brightvintage output, bright

How close on each spec

100 means identical on that spec. The score weighs these, and counts anything we couldn't compare as a typical difference. How scoring works

Output
60
measured inductance
Magnet
100
both Alnico 5
Coil
100
same coil type
Brightness
92
tone charts on the same scale
Mids
96
tone charts on the same scale
Bass
92
tone charts on the same scale

Videos

DiMarzio Air Classic

DiMarzio PAF Joe

Dimarzios Mo' Joe and PAF Joe solo
KenSavageGuitars

What players and reviewers say

On the DiMarzio Air Classic

“It has that warm roundness I liked from the air classic but the bass is much more articulate.”
FuseG4 · 2008-09-19Seymour Duncan forum ↗ (opens in a new tab)
“Don't over look the Air Classic in an HSS strat if you want smooth humbucker response with clarity and dynamics.”
Lake Placid Blues · 2014-10-28Seymour Duncan forum ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Everything on the DiMarzio Air Classic →

On the DiMarzio PAF Joe

“Paf Joe is warmer/rounder, and does not flub out in the low end quite as bad.”
Mr. B · 2020-01-29Seymour Duncan forum ↗ (opens in a new tab)
“Deliver classic PAF warmth, then tighten the low end and smooth the top without losing attack.”
Darth Phineas · Apr 29, 2026Darth Phineas ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Everything on the DiMarzio PAF Joe →

Full reviews