# Abe Cunningham vs Jay Weinberg — Deftones vs Slipknot Drumming Compared | MetalForge > Side-by-side comparison between Abe Cunningham (Deftones) and Jay Weinberg (ex-Slipknot, Suicidal Tendencies). **Category:** Alternative Metal / Nu-Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/abe-cunningham-vs-jay-weinberg Deftones' Abe Cunningham vs ex-Slipknot's Jay Weinberg pits two very different philosophies of modern metal drumming against each other. Cunningham has been Deftones' only drummer since co-founding the band in 1988, shaping alternative metal's most atmospheric sound through feel and space. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014, stepping into one of extreme metal's most scrutinized drum chairs to deliver arena-scale power. This comparison covers technique, gear, band context, and career trajectory across both drummers' catalogs. --- ## At a Glance | Spec | Abe Cunningham | Jay Weinberg | |------|-----------------|----------------| | Drums | Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga | SJC Custom Drums | | Cymbals | Zildjian (A New Beat, A Custom, K Custom) | Zildjian K Custom Series | | Snare | Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14x8" | Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" | | Pedals | Tama Iron Cobra Double Pedal | DW 9000 Double Bass Pedal | | Sticks | Zildjian Abe Cunningham Artist Series | Vater | --- ## Gear Deep Dive ### Abe Cunningham Setup - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga - **Cymbals:** Zildjian (14" A New Beat Hi-Hats, A Custom Crashes, K Custom Ride) - **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14x8" - **Pedals/Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra double pedal, Tama hardware - **Sticks:** Zildjian Abe Cunningham Artist Series Abe Cunningham has been a longtime Tama endorser, and his Starclassic Maple/Bubinga kit reflects a setup built for punchy attack and durability rather than technical showmanship — full breakdown in [What's In Abe Cunningham's Kit](https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-abe-cunninghams-kit). His deep 14x8" S.L.P. Big Black Steel snare delivers a powerful, cutting crack that anchors Deftones' shifts between crushing heaviness and ethereal, shoegaze-influenced passages, while his Zildjian Artist Series signature sticks are tuned to his groove-first, feel-driven playing style. ### Jay Weinberg Setup - **Drums:** SJC Custom Drums (maple shells, custom Slipknot-themed finishes) - **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Custom Series (14" Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" Dark Crashes, 20" Ride, 18" China) - **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" - **Pedals/Hardware:** DW 9000 double bass pedal; Roland electronics for sample triggers - **Sticks:** Vater Jay Weinberg's SJC Custom Drums kit was built by hand to his specifications for Slipknot's live production, delivering the warm, full-bodied maple attack that drives the band's dense, low-tuned sound. His Zildjian K Custom cymbal arsenal suited the evolving sonic direction of "We Are Not Your Kind" (2019) and "The End, So Far" (2022) — full breakdown in [Jay Weinberg's Complete Drum Setup](https://metalforge.io/articles/jay-weinberg-complete-drum-setup). A DW 9000 double bass pedal and integrated Roland electronics powered the hybrid acoustic/sample-triggered rig Slipknot's nine-member show demands. --- ## Style & Technique Comparison Abe Cunningham co-founded Deftones in Sacramento in 1988 and has been the band's only drummer across more than three decades, shaping alternative metal's most atmospheric, shoegaze-influenced sound through landmark records like "Around the Fur" (1997), the Grammy-winning "White Pony" (2000), "Diamond Eyes" (2010), and "Ohms" (2020). His technique is defined by unconventional patterns and creative use of space rather than technical showmanship — unconventional snare placements and dynamic control let him move seamlessly between crushing heaviness and ethereal delicacy, mirroring Deftones' emotional arc rather than following typical metal drumming conventions. Jay Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 at age 24, stepping into one of extreme metal's most scrutinized drum chairs following founding drummer Joey Jordison's departure, and recorded three studio albums — ".5: The Gray Chapter" (2014), "We Are Not Your Kind" (2019), and "The End, So Far" (2022) — before parting ways in November 2023. His technique blends the professional discipline he absorbed from his father, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, with hardcore-punk-honed intensity — sustained blast beats and powerful double bass patterns built to authentically replicate Jordison's iconic parts while injecting his own explosive energy into Slipknot's chaotic live show. --- ## Key Differences The core divergence is compositional philosophy: Cunningham plays in service of atmosphere and dynamics, treating restraint and space as tools just as important as power, while Weinberg plays in service of maximalist aggression, where sustained intensity and precision replication of a predecessor's iconic parts were the job requirements from day one. Gear reflects the same split. Cunningham's Tama Starclassic kit and deep steel snare are voiced for punchy, groove-forward tone across Deftones' dynamic range. Weinberg's SJC Custom kit, Zildjian K Custom cymbals, and Roland-triggered electronics are built for Slipknot's dense, sample-heavy, arena-scale live production. --- ## Influence & Legacy Cunningham's influence runs deep in alternative and nu-metal-adjacent drumming — his groove-and-feel-first approach with Deftones, prioritizing pocket and atmosphere over technical complexity, shaped how a generation of alt-metal drummers think about serving a song's emotional arc rather than showcasing chops. Weinberg carried one of metal's most scrutinized drum chairs for nine years, earning respect from fans who initially doubted anyone could replace Jordison, and built a following that carried into his post-Slipknot work with Suicidal Tendencies. --- ## Verdict Abe Cunningham and Jay Weinberg represent two opposite philosophies of modern metal drumming. Cunningham built Deftones' atmospheric heaviness over 35-plus years through feel, space, and unconventional pocket-first patterns, never chasing technical flash. Weinberg brought explosive, hardcore-punk-fueled extreme metal power to one of Slipknot's most scrutinized live shows across nine years, honoring a predecessor's legacy while adding his own intensity. What makes Deftones vs Slipknot drumming so different is exactly this: feel-first restraint versus maximalist aggression. --- ## FAQ **Q: What makes Deftones vs Slipknot drumming different?** A: Abe Cunningham (Deftones) plays with unconventional, atmosphere-first patterns that prioritize feel, space, and emotional dynamics over technical complexity, reflecting Deftones' shoegaze-influenced alt-metal sound. Jay Weinberg (ex-Slipknot) plays with explosive, hardcore-punk-fueled intensity — sustained blast beats and powerful double bass built for Slipknot's maximalist, nine-member extreme metal live show. Cunningham is restraint and texture; Weinberg is raw aggression and power. **Q: Who hits harder, Abe Cunningham or Jay Weinberg?** A: Jay Weinberg's Slipknot drumming is built around raw power and sustained extreme-metal intensity — blast beats and heavy double bass patterns designed for arena-scale aggression. Abe Cunningham's Deftones drumming prioritizes dynamic control and groove over sheer force, though he can hit with real weight during Deftones' heaviest passages. In terms of pure power and velocity, Weinberg is the harder hitter. **Q: What gear do Abe Cunningham and Jay Weinberg use?** A: Abe Cunningham plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga kit with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel snare and Zildjian cymbals, driven by a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal. Jay Weinberg played an SJC Custom Drums kit with a Tama S.L.P. snare and Zildjian K Custom cymbals, driven by a DW 9000 double bass pedal and Roland electronics. **Q: What bands did each play for?** A: Abe Cunningham has been the founding and only drummer for Deftones since 1988, spanning nine studio albums including "White Pony" (2000) and "Ohms" (2020). Jay Weinberg drummed for Slipknot from 2014 to 2023, recorded three studio albums, and later joined Suicidal Tendencies in 2024. --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/abe-cunningham-vs-jay-weinberg](https://metalforge.io/vs/abe-cunningham-vs-jay-weinberg)* *[Abe Cunningham drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/abe-cunningham)* *[Jay Weinberg drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/jay-weinberg)* *[Deftones band page](https://metalforge.io/band/deftones)* *[Slipknot band page](https://metalforge.io/band/slipknot)* *[Shannon Larkin vs Jay Weinberg comparison](https://metalforge.io/vs/shannon-larkin-vs-jay-weinberg)* --- *Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*