Around the Fur Drum Setup: Abe Cunningham's Breakthrough Record | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Abe Cunningham use on Around the Fur?

Abe Cunningham recorded Around the Fur in 1997 using a Tama Starclassic Maple kit. The setup featured a single 22x18 inch bass drum, 10 and 12 inch rack toms, and 14 and 16 inch floor toms with all-maple shells. This compact, focused configuration was the foundation of the Deftones' drum sound throughout their breakthrough era and provided the warm, punchy tone that producer Terry Date captured on the record.

What album made Deftones famous?

Around the Fur (1997) is the album that broke Deftones to a wider audience. It was their first album to chart in the UK, their first certified Platinum record, and the record that introduced songs like 'My Own Summer (Shove It)' and 'Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)' to a generation of heavy music fans. While the debut Adrenaline (1995) established the band's identity, Around the Fur made them internationally famous.

What gear did Abe Cunningham use in the late 1990s?

In the late 1990s during the Around the Fur era, Abe Cunningham used a Tama Starclassic Maple drum kit with a single 22-inch bass drum, Zildjian A series cymbals including 14-inch New Beat hi-hats, A Custom crashes in 16 and 18 inch sizes, and an A series 20-inch ride. His snare was a 14x6.5-inch Tama steel drum, and he used Tama Iron Cobra pedals. This setup was used throughout the Around the Fur recording sessions and touring cycle.

Who produced Around the Fur?

Around the Fur was produced by Terry Date, who also produced Deftones' debut Adrenaline and their Grammy-winning White Pony. Date was one of the most respected heavy music producers of the 1990s, having helmed landmark records for Pantera, Soundgarden, and Queensrÿche. His natural, dynamics-conscious approach to drum recording set Deftones apart from the heavily processed nu-metal production that dominated the era.