Tattoo for you?

[Robert****]

I have started thinking about getting a tattoo, because my wife is talking about it all the time. She wants a viking ship. Me, I think I want a GEETAR!

Does anyone here have a tattoo or two? Tips, links, ideas - please share, as I'm new to this. I'm starting to think that a nice Strat on my arm wouldn't be completely wrong. Or maybe a Strat leaning against a little amp!

Other ideas I have is the 3 crowns - the symbol for Sweden (http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/se-3kron.html), or maybe something with running, since I love to run.

Examples I found on the net:

[Iago]

nice Rob.. some friends of mine are tatoo artists... I was even once "invited" to be one... long story that is...

hummm what you think about a guitar (the model of your choice hehe) and the Swedish flag as background? that could be a nice basic idea...

I once thought of doing a big psychodelic hendrix on my arm... but I gave up on the idea.

[Mark]

Personally Tats just dont appeal to me. If you do get one PLEASE make sure the instruments are sterile!! Dont take their word for it MAKE em show you! Hep B and C are easily transmited this way. I unfortunately have both from blood contact in my job as an apprentice many years ago. I am a Plumbing contractor and how I contracted it is so unbeliveably rare but I got it just the same. We were able to track it down since I had no surgeries, no tats and no drug use history but I had minor workday cuts that got exposed to blood tainted water servicing hospitals and Doctors offices. I been able to beat it (so far) but I havent been able to drink a beer in 7 years, alcohol and liver probs are real bad mixture. Theres reputable tat dudes out there who have no probs showing you their sterilization process dont accept nothing
less. Not trying to be a downer here just watching out for friends!

[marnold***]

I've never been one for tats either. It's your body so feel free to make whatever choice you want. Just remember that you are stuck with this choice forever.

[Tone2TheBone]

They won't let me into the happy hunting ground if I had a tattoo.

[Myles]

I've always believed that a tattoo was fine, but personally it would require a lot of thought for me to get one. I'd want whatever tattoo I got to still be meaningful 20 years from now so that I didn't look back and think.. "Man I'm an idiot!"

So my guide to a tattoo:
1)No Names.
2)Keep it Small.
3)Not on your forehead.

That about sums it up for me

[Iago]

I agree with everybody

- make you tatoos with reconized professionals
- I would never do a "name tatoo"
- Don`t do a 15 inches one if you`re just 'starting' on the bussiness, keep it simple.

[t_ross33]

I have a little one of these on my right shoulder, from the band, Poco. Like the band, always thought this album cover was kinda cool. Got it when I lived in Toronto as a reminder of my prairie/cowboy roots without being TOO hick-like.

Attachment 402

Have a hankerin' for lots more but waiting to find just the right one(s).

I say go for it Robert!

[Tone2TheBone]

Hey Rob get one like Ritchen Valens (the flying guitar).

[Katastrophe]

Robert, you could get a Strat... but HOW would you figure out which model?

I kinda like the idea of your '51, leaning against the Vox or the Reverend, with a Bad Monkey on the floor would be a good one...

+1 to what everybody here says about getting tats, too. Make sure the artist is reputable. A good shop will open a presterilized package of needles right in front of you. Watch how the artists work. Do they wear gloves? Is the shop clean? Also, don't rely on pictures of tats on the wall. Talk to some of the customers hanging around and check out their work.

[t_ross33]

Tattoo parlors have come along way in the past 20 years. As body art, including tat's, piercings etc. have become, if not more popular, more mainstream, reputable artists are easier to find than ever. "Tattoo parlors", for lack of a better term now have more in common with day spas and salons than beer joints and barber shops, at least in my neck of the woods (though I'm sure I can find a seedy joint or two without having to look too hard).

Find an artist you like (review his/her portfolio) and make an appointment. If you're on a waiting list of 2 or 3 months, then chances are the guy/gal is good and in demand. The more reputable ones will take their art as serious as any axe slinger here at TheFret and will attend trade shows, seminars and classes to constantly learn and improve their technique and further their art. Ask lots of questions! I've been advised to stay away from places that take walk-ins for many of the reasons mentioned in previous posts. If you are ever in the Regina area I can recommend an artist for you. I've seen his work and he is very good. Comes highly recommended. I'll be looking him up when I get the courage up to get more serious "ink done".

Trev

[Robert****]

I still would like a guitar tattoo, if I can find an artist who can make one look good.

My wife is getting a viking ship tattoo soon. That is pretty cool too.

[sunvalleylaw]

Once upon a time I considered a tatoo, and an earring. Ended up deciding that in my case, it would look like I was trying too hard. Not really my look anyway.

[Ro3b]

Robert, if you ever make it down to DC I'll hook you up. :-)

[carp3nt3r]

I had an earring once. man am i glad that healed over. tattoo, none for me thanks. I see my inlaws with thiers during the summer and man it isnt pretty.

just think about what youre gonna have done, because someday someone will ask you why you chose it. can anyone fathom a reason for a cactus wearing a sombrero and two dice? <--- told ya the inlaws were strange folks I married the only normal one outta that bunch !!


carp3nt3r (please pass the washable markers i am applying a psuedo-tattoo.)

[Mark]

I had an earring once. man am i glad that healed over. tattoo, none for me thanks. I see my inlaws with thiers during the summer and man it isnt pretty.

just think about what youre gonna have done, because someday someone will ask you why you chose it. can anyone fathom a reason for a cactus wearing a sombrero and two dice? <--- told ya the inlaws were strange folks I married the only normal one outta that bunch !!


carp3nt3r (please pass the washable markers i am applying a psuedo-tattoo.)

Oh man that is just too funny, soda in nose alert!!

[R_of_G]

I can't believe I'm first finding this thread now. Silly me spending all my time talking about music and sports.:

I just got a new tattoo this past Saturday. It is my fifth.

Here are some pics of it, as well as the others. May as well put them up in chronological order...

#1 - Skeleton - Inside of left ankle

This was my first. I didn't play guitar at the time. I have since talked to my current artist about covering up the yo-yo with a Gibson ES-135 like mine. That will prob be the next tattoo I have done.



#2 - Sun - Upper Right Arm



#3 - Om - Inside of left wrist

This is one of two that both my wife and I got the same design in the same location. They were anniversary gifts to each other for our 9th and 10th anniversaries.



#4 - Lotus Flower - Inside of right wrist

This is the other anniversary tat.



#5 - Rose - Inside of left forearm

This is the most recent.

[Ro3b]

Wow, that rose is beautiful. Congratulations!

I'll post a pic of my back piece when it's done, but it will probably take at least another year or so. Stay tuned.

[sunvalleylaw]

I am partial to the sun one, go figure, Sun Valley and all. Robert, did you ever get one? Maybe you can combine your idea and your wife's and get a Hagstrom Viking.