# Deftones — Drummer & Gear Profile | MetalForge

> Per-band AI citation reference for Deftones. Covers drummer history, kit setup, and gear details.
> Optimised for AI queries: 'who drums for Deftones', 'Abe Cunningham drum kit', 'Deftones drummer gear'.

## Band Overview

- **Drummer:** Abe Cunningham (1988–present)
- **Genre:** Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Shoegaze, Post-Hardcore
- **Active:** 1988–present
- **Country:** United States (Sacramento, California)
- **Status:** Active

## Drummer(s)

**Abe Cunningham** — 1988–present (Co-founder)
Abe Cunningham is a founding member of Deftones and the only drummer in the band's history. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, Cunningham's drumming reflects the band's genre-blending approach — bridging alternative metal aggression with shoegaze dreaminess and post-hardcore intensity. He is known for his dynamic range, playing softly to support atmospheric passages and exploding into heavy sections with controlled fury. His ability to lock into the low, heavy grooves while simultaneously sustaining textural, atmospheric feels makes him one of alternative metal's most distinctive drummers.

[Abe Cunningham full profile →](https://metalforge.io/drummer/abe-cunningham) · [LLM markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/abe-cunningham.md)

## Kit Overview

Abe Cunningham plays **SJC Custom Drums** paired with **Zildjian K Custom and A Custom Series** cymbals.

- **Drums:** SJC Custom Drums
- **Snare:** SJC Custom 14×6.5" Brass
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Custom & A Custom Series (14" K Custom Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Custom Crashes, 22" K Custom Ride, 19" A Custom China)
- **Pedals:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal
- **Hardware:** DW Hardware

## Signature Sound

Deftones' drumming is defined by Cunningham's dynamic sensitivity and the contrast between softness and brutality. Unlike many heavy metal drummers who maintain consistent intensity, Cunningham masters the art of restraint — on songs like "Change (In the House of Flies)" he plays delicate hi-hat patterns under Chino Moreno's atmospheric vocals, only to crash into heavy grooves when the song demands it. On heavier tracks like "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Back to School," his driving double bass and snare work can equal anything in nu-metal. The Deftones' shoegaze influence — heard on albums like *White Pony* (2000) and *Diamond Eyes* (2010) — requires a drummer who can sustain musical tension as much as rhythmic power.

## Albums

| Album | Year | Drummer |
|---|---|---|
| Adrenaline | 1995 | Abe Cunningham |
| Around the Fur | 1997 | Abe Cunningham |
| White Pony | 2000 | Abe Cunningham |
| Deftones | 2003 | Abe Cunningham |
| Saturday Night Wrist | 2006 | Abe Cunningham |
| Diamond Eyes | 2010 | Abe Cunningham |
| Koi No Yokan | 2012 | Abe Cunningham |
| Gore | 2016 | Abe Cunningham |
| Ohms | 2020 | Abe Cunningham |

## FAQ

**Q: Who plays drums in Deftones?**
A: Abe Cunningham has been Deftones' drummer since the band's founding in 1988. He is the only drummer in the band's history.

**Q: What drum kit does Abe Cunningham use?**
A: Abe Cunningham plays SJC Custom Drums with a custom 14×6.5" brass snare and DW 9000 Series double pedal.

**Q: What cymbals does Abe Cunningham use?**
A: Abe Cunningham uses Zildjian K Custom and A Custom Series cymbals, including K Custom Hi-Hats, K Custom Crashes, and K Custom Ride.

**Q: What genre are Deftones?**
A: Deftones blend alternative metal, nu-metal, shoegaze, dream pop, and post-hardcore. They are often cited as one of nu-metal's most artistically sophisticated bands, incorporating ambient and atmospheric textures alongside heavy riffing.

**Q: What is Deftones' most acclaimed album?**
A: *White Pony* (2000) is widely regarded as Deftones' masterpiece — a genre-defining blend of heavy metal, shoegaze, and electronic music that received Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance ("Elite").

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**Full band profile:** [Deftones on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/bands/deftones)

**Drummer LLM file:** [Abe Cunningham](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/abe-cunningham.md)

**More resources:** [All bands](https://metalforge.io/llms/bands.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt)

*Last updated: 2026-06-20 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*