Abe Cunningham vs Shannon Larkin — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Abe Cunningham (Deftones) vs Shannon Larkin (Godsmack / Ugly Kid Joe / Amen). 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. Shannon Larkin is a longtime Ddrum endorser, playing a ddrum Dios Series kit with his Ddrum Shannon Larkin Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian AAX & HHX Series cymbals (14" Stage Hi-Hats, assorted crashes, 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal, a Pork Pie Big Boy throne, and Vater Shannon Larkin Signature sticks.
What drum kit does Shannon Larkin use?
Shannon Larkin uses ddrum Dios Series with Sabian AAX & HHX Series (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" AAX Splash, 18" AAX Chinese). 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. Shannon Larkin is a longtime Ddrum endorser, playing a ddrum Dios Series kit with his Ddrum Shannon Larkin Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian AAX & HHX Series cymbals (14" Stage Hi-Hats, assorted crashes, 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal, a Pork Pie Big Boy throne, and Vater Shannon Larkin Signature sticks.
Which is better, Abe Cunningham or Shannon Larkin?
Abe Cunningham and Shannon Larkin represent two distinct commercial rock drumming philosophies born from the same late-90s/2000s heavy music era. Cunningham built Deftones' atmospheric, shoegaze-tinged heaviness through feel, space, and unconventional pocket-first patterns across 35-plus years with the same band. Larkin brought powerful, deep-pocket hard rock groove to Godsmack for over two decades, helping the band land five No. 1 Billboard debuts after making his name with Ugly Kid Joe's breakout hit. The comparison is atmospheric texture versus driving power — Deftones' emotional dynamics against Godsmack's riff-driven muscle.