Compare

DiMarzio PAF Joe vs Lollar Imperial

DiMarzio PAF Joe pickup
Photo: DiMarzio (opens in a new tab)
medium confidence
Lollar Imperial pickup
Photo: Lollar (opens in a new tab)
Lollar Imperial
bridge humbucker

We found no spec differences between them worth calling out.

Specs side by side

differs marks specs where they part ways
SpecDiMarzio PAF JoeLollar Imperial
DC resistancediffers8.26k8.4k
Inductancediffers4.60 H (compiled)4.80 H (compiled)
MagnetAlnico 5Alnico 5
CoilHum-cancellingHum-cancelling
Bass (tone chart)differs3 / 10no chart
Mids (tone chart)differs4.5 / 10no chart
Treble (tone chart)differs6.5 / 10no chart
Slotdiffershumbuckerbridge humbucker
Traitsvintage output, brightvintage output

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
94
measured inductance
Magnet
100
both Alnico 5
Coil
100
same coil type

Not compared: brightness, mids, bass (a spec is missing for at least one of them).

Videos

DiMarzio PAF Joe

Dimarzios Mo' Joe and PAF Joe solo
KenSavageGuitars

Lollar Imperial

Paul Rose - Lollar Pickups, Imperial Humbuckers (medium wound)
Paul Rose
Humbucker Shootout: Lollar Pickups - Imperial vs. Imperial Low Wind
Visual Guy · comparison

What players and reviewers say

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

Lollar Imperial

None collected yet.