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DiMarzio PAF Joe vs Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (SH-18)

We found no spec differences between them worth calling out.

Specs side by side

differs marks specs where they part ways
SpecDiMarzio PAF JoeSeymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (SH-18)
DC resistancediffers8.26k8.2k
Inductancediffers4.60 H (compiled)not measured
MagnetAlnico 5Alnico 5
CoilHum-cancellingHum-cancelling
Resonant peakdiffers—6.4 kHz (Seymour Duncan's own test load)
Bass (tone chart)differs3 / 10no chart
Mids (tone chart)differs4.5 / 10no chart
Treble (tone chart)differs6.5 / 10no chart
Slotdiffershumbuckerneck 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
99
DC resistance (no inductance for one of them)
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

Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (SH-18)

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 →

On the Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (SH-18)

“Tried a Whole Lotta Humbucker and that went too far the other way as I suppose I like hotter than vintage and it was too harsh in the midrange, too spiky.”
JarickL · 2016-11-19Seymour Duncan forum ↗ (opens in a new tab)
“I have my Whole Lotta Neck set fairly close to the strings (2/32 ths for both the treble and bass side) I have not adjusted the polepieces.”
Mr. B · 2013-09-04Seymour Duncan forum ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Everything on the Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (SH-18) →

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