About Justin Chancellor
Born 1971. Justin Chancellor is a British bassist, guitarist and songwriter.
Justin Gunnar Walter Chancellor (born 19 November 1971) is an English musician, best known as the bassist for rock band Tool, a position he has held since 1995. Prior to joining Tool, he played in a band called Peach. After settling in the US, along with his engagement in his musical projects, he and his wife Shelee Dykman Chancellor ran a store called Lobal Orning in Topanga, California, dedicated to music and literature "that shaped and changed" both of them. The store closed in 2008. He started the M.T.Void music project with Piotr "Glaca" Mohammed from Sweet Noise.
Early life Chancellor is of English and Norwegian descent. He was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent, England, where he was the bass player for a school band named Slice of Life and used to perform a cover version of Corey Hart's "Sunglasses at Night" in the dining room of his boarding house. The band released an eponymous titled tape featuring a song of the same name. Chancellor went on to study at Durham University.
Career Chancellor later joined the band Peach. Peach released the album Giving Birth to a Stone and two EPs, and supported Tool in 1994 in Europe before breaking up in 1995. In September that year, Chancellor moved to the United States and joined Tool full-time to replace Paul D'Amour who departed during the recording of the band's second full-length album. Chancellor has been a full member of the band since the 1996 studio album Ænima.
Equipment Bass guitars
Wal – Chancellor's main bass guitar is a Wal MKII 4-string he bought on a friend's recommendation during the recording of Ænima. Chancellor also has three other four-string Wals. He normally plays Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings (.045.065.085.110) Music Man Stingray – Used on "Forty-Six & 2", "H.", "Pushit", "No Quarter" and "Descending". Justin has used a Stingray live on "Descending" since 2020. Gibson Thunderbird – Used once for "Prison Sex" live in 1995/1996, when he first joined the band. Warwick Streamer - As of 2017, Chancellor has his own custom shop Streamer Stage II bass.
Amplification Mesa Boogie Roadready 4x12 (For Dirty) Mesa Boogie Roadready 8x10 (For Clean) Demeter Amplification VTBP-201S Bass Preamp running direct to PA Formerly used Mesa Boogie M-2000 head Mesa Boogie M-Pulse Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ Chancellor narrated on the Primus track "The Valley" from their 2017 album The Desaturating Seven. In May 2018, Chancellor collaborated with Death Grips in the album Year of the Snitch, providing bass on the track "Disappointed". Chancellor played bass on Author & Punisher's album 2022 Krüller, on the track "Centurion". Chancellor and drummer Aric Improta of Night Verses collaborated on a 2021 track called "Exu". Chancellor played bass on Night Verses's 2023 album Every Sound Has a Color in the Valley of Night: Part 1, on the track "Séance". Chancellor played bass on Adam Jones's 2020 single "The Witness"
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Important facts
People in Justin Chancellor's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Justin Chancellor's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Justin Chancellor?
English musician; book and record store owner
When was Justin Chancellor born?
Justin Chancellor was born on 19 November 1971 in London.
What is Justin Chancellor's occupation?
Justin Chancellor is a bassist, guitarist and songwriter.
What nationality is Justin Chancellor?
Justin Chancellor is British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Justin Chancellor
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Justin Chancellor. https://biography.guide/justin-chancellor/
MLA: "Justin Chancellor." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/justin-chancellor/.
Chicago: "Justin Chancellor." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/justin-chancellor/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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