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

> Discover the exact drums, cymbals, and gear Abe Cunningham used to record Deftones' landmark Around the Fur album. Complete breakdown of the 1997 record that made Deftones famous and defined Abe's late-90s playing style.

**Type:** Album Drum Setup
**Drummer(s):** [Abe Cunningham](/llms/drummers/abe-cunningham.md)
**Band / Album:** Deftones — *Around the Fur* (1997)
**Genre:** Alternative Metal / Nu-Metal

## Overview

Released on October 28, 1997, "Around the Fur" was the record that put Deftones on the global map. Their second studio album, produced by Terry Date, fused the raw aggression of their debut "Adrenaline" with a more refined, dynamic approach that hinted at the atmospheric masterpiece that White Pony would become three years later.

The album was Deftones' first to chart in the UK and the first to break them beyond the nu-metal scene into the broader alternative mainstream. Songs like "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" reached audiences that had never encountered the band's particular blend of heaviness and vulnerability. "Headup" — a collaboration with Tool's Maynard James Keenan — became an instant fan favorite and a showcase for Deftones' ability to operate alongside heavy music's most respected names.

For Abe Cunningham, Around the Fur represented a significant step forward. His drumming here is more aggressive than what would follow on White Pony, but already shows the restraint and groove-consciousness that would make him one of alternative metal's most respected players. The kick patterns are syncopated and inventive; the dynamic range between "Be Quiet and Drive's" whispered verses and its explosive choruses previews the emotional architecture that would define the band's best work.

Terry Date's production is heavier and more direct than White Pony's, matching the album's emotional register. The drums sit closer in the mix, hitting harder, but Date still prioritized dynamics and musicality over the blunt-force approach common in late-1990s heavy music.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple (all-maple shells)
- **Snare:** Tama Steel 14" x 6.5" — bright, cutting, aggressive
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series — 14" New Beat hi-hats, A Custom 16" and 18" crashes, A 20" Medium Ride, A 18" China Boy
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra Single Pedal; Tama Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand; Tama 1st Chair
- **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke 3 Clear (kick batter), Remo Emperor Clear (tom batter), Remo Ambassador Coated (snare batter)
- **Sticks:** Zildjian 5A

### Abe's Around the Fur Era Kit: Tama Starclassic Maple

For the Around the Fur sessions, Abe played a Tama Starclassic Maple kit — his primary instrument throughout the mid-to-late 1990s. The all-maple construction delivered the warmth and projection needed for Terry Date's punchy production style.

The kit configuration was compact and focused: a single 22-inch bass drum, two rack toms (10 and 12 inch), and two floor toms (14 and 16 inch). This minimal setup reflects Abe's fundamental philosophy — you don't need a massive kit to create a massive sound. Every drum earns its place on the riser.

The 22-inch bass drum is central to Around the Fur's propulsive feel. On "My Own Summer," the kick pattern is the song's rhythmic engine, driving the angular guitar riff with syncopated hits that land between and against the downbeats. The 10 and 12-inch rack toms paired with 14 and 16-inch floor toms give Abe a full melodic span used effectively on fills throughout the album.

### The Crack: Tama Steel Snare

The 14x6.5-inch Tama steel snare on Around the Fur is the record's backbone. Steel shells deliver inherent brightness that cuts through Stephen Carpenter's downtuned guitar without needing aggressive EQ. Tuned medium to medium-high, the snare announces every backbeat with authority on "My Own Summer" while softening naturally in the dynamic verses of "Be Quiet and Drive."

### Zildjian A Series: Bright and Aggressive

The Zildjian A series cymbal setup is the industry-standard choice for heavy music in the 1990s. The 14" New Beat hi-hats anchor the grooves throughout; the A Custom crashes deliver quick, bright attack for heavy accents; the K Custom ride provides the darker wash used in more atmospheric passages. The China cymbal appears sparingly — adding aggressive, trashy accents on "Headup" and the title track without becoming a constant presence.

## Key Facts

- Released October 28, 1997 on Maverick Records
- Produced by Terry Date — second consecutive Deftones collaboration after Adrenaline
- Deftones' first UK-charting album; first certified Platinum record
- Established the band internationally and introduced them to the broader alternative mainstream
- Tama Starclassic Maple — warm, projecting, punchy
- Single 22" bass drum — propulsive yet controlled
- Zildjian A series — industry-standard brightness and versatility
- Tama Iron Cobra single pedal throughout; no double bass
- Estimated kit value: $2,500-4,000 (1997 Starclassic Maple shell pack)
- Estimated snare value: $200-350 (1997 era steel snare)

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/around-the-fur-drum-setup

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*Last updated: 2026-06-29 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*