Abe Cunningham vs Jay Weinberg — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Abe Cunningham (Deftones) vs Jay Weinberg (Suicidal Tendencies). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Abe Cunningham use?
Abe Cunningham uses Tama Starclassic Bubinga (Egyptian Night Mist) with Zildjian K Custom & A Custom Series (14" K Custom Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Custom Crashes, 22" K Custom Ride, 19" A Custom China). Abe Cunningham has been a longtime Tama endorser, playing a Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga kit with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14x8" snare and Zildjian cymbals (14" A New Beat Hi-Hats, A Custom crashes, K Custom Ride), driven by a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal and Zildjian Abe Cunningham Artist Series sticks. Jay Weinberg played an SJC Custom Drums kit with a SJC "The Crucible" 14x6.5" brass snare and Zildjian K Custom Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" Dark Crashes, 20" Ride, 18" China), driven by a DW 9000 double bass pedal, Vater sticks, and Roland electronics for Slipknot's sample-triggered live show.
What drum kit does Jay Weinberg use?
Jay Weinberg uses SJC Custom Drums (OBEY x ST Collaboration Kit) with Zildjian (14" A New Beat Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" A Custom Crashes, 21" K Custom Ride, 19" K China, 7" FX Break Bell). Abe Cunningham has been a longtime Tama endorser, playing a Tama Starclassic Maple/Bubinga kit with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14x8" snare and Zildjian cymbals (14" A New Beat Hi-Hats, A Custom crashes, K Custom Ride), driven by a Tama Iron Cobra double pedal and Zildjian Abe Cunningham Artist Series sticks. Jay Weinberg played an SJC Custom Drums kit with a SJC "The Crucible" 14x6.5" brass snare and Zildjian K Custom Series cymbals (14" Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" Dark Crashes, 20" Ride, 18" China), driven by a DW 9000 double bass pedal, Vater sticks, and Roland electronics for Slipknot's sample-triggered live show.
Which is better, Abe Cunningham or Jay Weinberg?
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. The comparison is atmospheric groove versus arena-scale extreme power — what makes Deftones and Slipknot drumming so different is exactly this: feel-first restraint versus maximalist aggression.