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I'm going to go with justin.

I think I prefer Justin. The fact that the bassits were switched and it didn't really affect the music kind of says to me that the music as a whole is what's more important. I'm not a musician myself, so I can't really judge who was better on a technical level, but I like the way that the band as a whole progressed through AEnima and Lateralus, as opposed to Undertow.

Plus I think that Justin and Danny just really... REALLY work together as a rhythm section.

im gunna go with Justin. Paul still did a great job on Tool's earlier work but i prefer the newer stuff, but the older stuff is still amazing

I like Justin more. Although I like Undertow, the later albums had something Undertow did not. Such as with Schism and 46+2. I've been playing bass since Christmas of 2006, so I'm not that good now, but comparing both bassists that way I think Justin was better. However that does not mean that Paul's work did not sound as good. Both are great, but I choose Justin as the one I like more.

Justin Chancellor by far in my book. Paul did a lot of signature stuff on Opiate and Undertow. Songs that come to mind that really show off his ability are The Swamp Song and Hush, but that guttural growl of bass in Sober always stands out in my head, simply because it's my favorite Tool song ever.

Justin on the other hand has Aenima, Lateralus, and 10,000 Days, which I actually rank higher than Opiate and Undertow on my list of albums. The evolution of the band from one album to the next really is what continues to draw me into Tool and hook me. He's been a part of that evolution, and he's been an influence in that evolution.

So if anything, Justin almost wins by default over Paul who chose to leave Tool (as I read he did, correct me if I'm wrong).

It's hard to judge, because Justin's done so much more material with them, and who knows how Paul's playing would have progressed if he stayed with them? Paul's bass is simpler, and the only word I can think of to describe it is "throbbing" (haha). I love Crawl Away and Sober mostly because of those deep, gritty bass riffs.

But Justin's playing is so much more complex and melodic. Some good examples are Schism and 10,000 Days. His sound is just so central to how I perceive Tool now.

In terms of live playing, Paul had a ton of energy, but just didn't really fit with how the other guys performed. It's great to watch Justin leaning over his bass and playing more subtlly, letting the music speak for itself.

i prefer chancellor, not only do i prefer his style more but also with any other combination of artists you couldn't achive a sound like tool has now, and justin is one of those 4 cricial elements. sure with paul they'd still have an amazing sound, but it just wouldn't be the same.

God, that's a hard question.

The bass guitar and low pitched string instruments (cello and bass) have always been my favorite instruments.

And I love both Justin's and Paul's work....
I can not really pick which because songs from all the cds influenced me to learn the bass guitar.
Intolerance, The Pot, and Schism are some of my favorite bass parts.

I was excited when I taught myself Schism. smile

I think if I must pick one, then I agree with what death2gumby said.