How to Sound Like Abe Cunningham — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Abe Cunningham's Deftones drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abe Cunningham and why is his drumming influential?
Abe Cunningham co-founded Deftones in Sacramento in 1988 as a teenager and has remained the band's sole drummer across nine studio albums, from "Adrenaline" (1995) through "Ohms" (2020). His dynamic, restraint-focused approach — prioritizing taste and emotional arc over technical showmanship — helped define alternative metal's atmospheric identity. "Elite" from White Pony won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2001.
What gear should I use to sound like Abe Cunningham?
Cunningham plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga kit with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14" x 8" snare, a Zildjian A Custom/K Custom hybrid cymbal setup, a Tama Iron Cobra 900 Rolling Glide pedal, and Zildjian Abe Cunningham Artist Series signature sticks. A budget setup can approximate this with any warm-sounding kit, a deep steel or maple snare, and a mix of bright and dark cymbals.
What tempo should I practice at to sound like Abe Cunningham?
Practice in the 60-120 BPM range that covers most of Deftones' catalog, from ambient, texture-focused passages around 60-90 BPM up to driving grooves near 120 BPM. The key isn't raw speed — it's building the dynamic control to move between whisper-quiet and full-weight intensity within a single song.
What are the key techniques behind Abe Cunningham's drumming?
Three techniques define Cunningham's style: gradual whisper-to-explosion dynamic builds across a song; unconventional snare placement that creates tension and release instead of a standard backbeat; and ambient, texture-focused playing that treats the kit as mood rather than pure rhythm.
What Deftones albums showcase Abe Cunningham's playing best?
"White Pony" (2000) is the definitive showcase, featuring the Grammy-winning "Elite" and the dynamic-build masterclass "Digital Bath." "Around the Fur" (1997) shows his early unconventional snare placement, while "Diamond Eyes" (2010) and "Ohms" (2020) demonstrate how his restraint-focused approach matured across three decades.