Compare

DiMarzio PAF Joe vs Sheptone Heartbreaker

DiMarzio PAF Joe pickup
Photo: DiMarzio (opens in a new tab)
low confidence
Sheptone Heartbreaker pickup
Photo: Sheptone (opens in a new tab)
Sheptone Heartbreaker
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 JoeSheptone Heartbreaker
DC resistancediffers8.26k8.35k
Inductancediffers4.60 H (compiled)not measured
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
98
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

Sheptone Heartbreaker

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 Sheptone Heartbreaker

“Beautifully organic sounding, they are full, clear and open.”
Guitar Interactive · Jan 9, 2020Guitar Interactive ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Everything on the Sheptone Heartbreaker →

Full reviews