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High Voltage Tattoo Shop
Rating Details »
Neighborhoods: West Hollywood, Hollywood
1259 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
1259 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
35 reviews for High Voltage Tattoo Shop
I'm from Mississippi and my sister and I went to LA 2 weeks ago and one of the things I wanted to do was get a tattoo at High Voltage. My baby was born at 24 weeks and only weighed 1 pound 3 ounces. She is 2 yrs old now and already caught up with babies her age and NO problems thank goodness. Anyway, I have been wanting to get her footprints (that they take when your baby is born) on a tattoo. I wanted the actual size of the footprints, too. They were tiny.
We had this trip planned anyway, so I decided High Voltage would be a great place, as I have watched the show and it seemed like a good choice.
We arrived at LAX at 1 pm and got checked into the hotel and drove straight to the place and walked right in and the guy at the front desk (who was very nice to us, by the way) was busy with some lady buying 15 tshirts or something (seriously) so, Adrienne comes up and asks if we need help and I show her my copy of the footprints and she takes it to the back and comes back and says Adam can do it, but he is eating lunch. We wait about 20 minutes and he comes out and gets the photo and goes to sketch it and is done in about 5 minutes and calls me over and gets started. It only took about 45 minutes and this guy Adam was THE BEST. I mean it, just absolutely the greatest guy with the best sense of humor and great attitude.
Just wanted to add, the place was clean and everything he used on me looked clinical and sterile and he bandaged me up and I was out the door in barely over an hour. I mean, I walked right in off the street and was taken care of. So, within a little over 2 hours of landing in LA, I'm driving off with my new tattoo. WHAT?!? I couldn't be happier about that.
My tat cost me $300 and I tipped $60. I knew going in it would be at least $200. So I was ready and I gotta tell ya, I didnt mind paying that price at all. The detail he put into those tiny footprints looked just like you pressed my babies feet into some black ink and pressed them onto my ankle. Really. You do get what you pay for. Could not recommend this place MORE. Thanks ADAM!!
Another pic of me getting the tattoo is in my profile.
I have never seen the show, but my aunt loves it and wanted to see the shop and get a tattoo. We went in on a Tuesday night and were greeted by the front desk boy (looks a bit like George Costanza) with rudeness, which is kinda what I expected after reading the reviews here. We watched him 'serve' others also, and his attitude was as if he felt better than everyone else.
Anyway, we were given an appointment to come back a couple of hours later and were left waiting past our appointment time because the tattooist who we had booked for, after putting on his gloves, went to the computer and started looking at facebook with a couple of other staff members! When he was finally ready, he called my aunt to the chair and started tattooing her - with the same gloves he'd been using on the computer. GROSS.
Talented artists, clean and comfortable environment, $200 minimum and very high prices, can get a bit busy when filming.
About two weeks ago stopped by just to visit the shop. My boyfriend joked about getting my tattoo done there. So out of curiosity we asked if there were any openings.
The lady at the front desk tried REALLY hard to get us in, and made sure everything worked best for us. She even offered a spot open later that night. I thought it was cool how helpful she was. She was really nice, thorough, and knew her shit. She gave me some great advice on artists, pricing, and what styles I should look into.
Came back the next day and met with Mojo, the super cool guy who did my tattoo. Downside: I was supposed to get it done at 2:00, didn't get in the seat until 4:30 or 5:00. It wasn't too bad waiting, it was interesting to watch them filming.
Mojo was very professional and nice, he made me feel really comfortable as did all the other artists around; some of them are featured in the show and some aren't, but they are all pretty down to earth. Mojo was very understanding about my knee-jerk flinching and my tightening up when he was going over the bone- he was not an uppity jerk about it. He made sure I had excatly what I wanted and did not pressure me in any way about the style. The final product is great and healed up without any problems.
It was rather pricey, however. I have a cluster of cherry blossoms on my foot, in color, about 3" long and 1.5" wide. It was $300, and I tipped Mojo $50. The shop has a $200 minimum and they price pretty high on top of that. If you want a tattoo they will require a $100 down payment in cash.
The only bad part is having to tip-toe around while the show is being filmed. You can't really talk or move around freely. But I expected that would happen.
If you are visiting as a tourist and just want to see the shop or buy some shirts, the people at the front desk are really helpful. Aside from getting ushered out, or instructed to stand somewhere else, or pretend to be interested in an artist's portfolio, the shop is really cool. It is clean, stylish, and has a large front area for visitors.
Even though the shop may get some flack for what it does with the show LA Ink, the artists are really talented, professional, and I never felt out of place or intimidated.
I wish I could say that I have been tattooed by one of the many talented artists at High Voltage, but good luck getting any of them to respond to your requests. Their website suggests emailing the artist you would like to book a consult/appointment with, but getting a response from the artists isn't as easy as you would expect. I thought about just going to the shop myself, but there is the chance that the artist of your choice won't be there since their schedules aren't mentioned anywhere on the website, or the artist may be busy with another client. I just feel that a shop that is so well known, so busy and highly bragged upon would have a better system in place so that their potential customers can easily reach the artists. I emailed 3 different artists here in hopes of getting a response from even 1 of them regarding a very large piece of work I have been wanting to get. I never received an email back from any of them. I, obviously, will be taking my business somewhere more personable where the artists care enough about getting business to at least respond to a measly email.
As much as I would have liked to say that I got ink here i didn't . . . didn't plan ahead and make an appointment.
But I got a shirt and Michael. What a super sweet, friendly guy.
My husband was sad that Kat was nowhere to be seen. But on the plus side, neither was Aubrey.
I should write a review for High Voltage since my profile picture is of me getting a tattoo there.
The place is kind of like a tourist spot, since everyone comes in, looks around & expects to see Kat Von D. The shop looks like how it does on t.v., bright pink walls & a lot of cool artwork.
I already had 6 tattoos & I wanted to make my last tattoo & my 7th one special...so when I found this place, I decided to just go for it! I walked in & was able to get my tattoo the same day. Dennis was my tattoo artist. He was very friendly and he did a great job on my tattoo. The people at the front desk are very sarcastic, but a bit rude. I think they were getting annoyed of all of the people who were looking for Kat Von D. One guy came in & said he wanted to get tattooed by her, but the front desk staff said she was "out of town."
As I was paying for my tattoo..guess who comes out of the back office- Kat Von D of course. =) I didn't expect to see her, but it was a great way to end my experience there. If you don't care about the price, I'd definitely recommend going to High Voltage.
Get rid of Aubry Please!!!! Lame-o
Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate Kat Von D, as well as a few of the other artists who work there. High Voltage itself though is kinda overrated. Their shop is really slick, however a lot smaller than it appears on tv. It's painted on the outside with an obnoxious banana yellow, so driving on Sunset, it's hard to miss. The show depicts this open door atmosphere of being about to just waltz in and wander around the shop - so if you're expecting that, expect to be disappointed. The only place you're able to be is inside the shop is a roped off lobby entrance, that is right in front of an unnecessarily high counter. If you're buying any kind of merchandise or paying for your tattoo, be prepared to basically throw your money down to where the counter girl is seated. It's about 2 feet below the top of the counter?
I guess it's cool to go by and see if you're a fan of the show, but I kinda felt retarded being there. In the roped off area that I mentioned, it's always packed with tourists just gawking and taking photos. Being there because I actually am really interested in tattoo culture, it just made it all seem so gimmicky and lame. Both times I visited, I quickly did a u-turn as soon as I went inside.
There is a super-babe named Adrian Gallegos who tattoos there right now. He was standing out front smoking while I waited for a friend to meet me. He started asking me about my sleeve, and I totally blushed as he was talking to me. Smooth.
Shop is way cool. Everyone is like the people are so rude here bla bla bla, this is a tattoo shop not a candy store. Im sure they get tourists walking through all the time, and just arent in a rush to see what they are doing. Plus if your from the city you should know a quiet mouth doesnt get fed. So umm if you want something open up your mouth and ask for it. When I was getting my ink here there was massive amounts of gawkers there just waiting for Kat to come out of the back room, I was getting annoyed and I was only there a few hours. Khoi is my artist and he is amazing! He does some incredible work, definitely worth his price. He is my boy so im sure i got different treatment from others(nice name drop). Place is cool, very easy to set up an appointment. Khoi, ill be back to get s'more work on my sleeve!
I have read most of the postings here. I am a tattoo enthusiast. I also think that shows like this help decrease the tattoo stereo typing that occurs. None the less, I am a fan.
In April I was online and found that the LA Ink site was accepting new applications for thier shows #4 season. I applied. I never thougth I would be called, and low and behold I was called. In fact the next day. I was set up with an on camera interview and my "story". What I did learn about this process..
They more than likely will NOT select you if your story is sad, has to do with death or the likes..
They also do not gaurantee tht Kat Von D can do all request and they suggest you have a second artist in mind.
Saying that I told them, the peice I want is something Kat wouldn't want to do as it was color, cutesy, not her style.
I was called 2 weeks later telling me that one of the artist on the show loved my story, loved my art and wanted me in the shop for filming in 3 days. So... I made arrangements.
I was the vicitm of "LA Ink".. lots of takes, retakes.. etc. BUT!! I loved my artist who I researched before I went under the gun. I also KNOW that you only get quality work and it's reflected in the price.
If you are looking for the low prices of shops with $100 min, this is not the place. These are professionals who charge professional prices. My tattoo had over 12 colors used. Is about 5.5 inches by 4 inches. I paid $500 plus an 80 dollar tip. This is how much quality work costs... I loved my tattoo artist Dan Smith. He was very down to earth had a wicked sense of humor which I appreciated. He personally selected my tattoo out of all the hundreds of applicants to do. I am so glad he picked my submission. Not only because I love my tattoo idea and story, but I gat an amazing artist do it.
Cheap tattoos aren't great and great tattoos aren't cheap. Period.
Now, if you are looking for a deal for a tattoo peice.. May I suggest you don't get one? You will be sorry.. if you skip the artist due to the price.. believe me.
http://i17.photobucket...
shop is lame as shit, just like kat, and her voice, and her gay brother and riding-on-her-coattails sister.....pretentious and rude. lame ass scene-sters abound. so, if your into wearing more make up than your girlfriend....and getting ignored while trying to get some fucking SERVICE, then by all means, go here!
if your into being treated with some respect, and paid attention to, then PLEASE, go somewhere else. this is not the show for you. and yes, it is the disneyland of tattoo parlors. or im sorry, "shops"....i cant wait till this place closes up shop and gets the fuck outta my town. DIE YUPPIE SCUM! :P
Since my break up, I wanted a new tat to capture the experience.
My best friend offered to pay for it, and suggested High Voltage. I checked out the website and researched their artists and narrowed it down to four I was interested in. I looked at the online form to set up an appointment and was NOT feeling the whole send a deposit thing. So I decided to try and walk in and if it didn't work out...we'd go to the place I got my other 2.
Upon walking in, besides drooling over Kat's hot ass brother, I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to get an appointment with one of the artists I liked from the site, Khoi, and was quoted a VERY reasonable price for what I wanted. We had to leave a $100 cash deposit to reserve the spot, but there was an ATM so not a problem.
The experience was great. My artist hand drew my design based on what I brought in and took it to another level and made it bigger and better than I expected. He was friendly and worked really quickly.
It was pretty dead...only one or two other clients in the 2 hours I was there, but if I get more ink, I'm definitely going to come back.
Hate the decor? Bitch bitch bitch. I've been to my share of tat shops and, trust me, there's a lot worse things than a clean, over decorated shop. Too LA? Um, hello. You live here. There are douche-bags in lots of popular places, but I'm not going to base an entire review on the patrons...that would make me a douche-bag too.
Overall, I would definitely suggest this place. :)
I want to get a portrait done. I want to spend around $1000 for it. I go in to high voltage and was met by a bumbling idiot of a store manager who was everything but helpful. Then after asking the front desk person the same questions, I got plenty of conflicting info regarding the submission and selection process for Kat's work. Jesus man, what does it fucking take to give people business?!
So, it's a recession right? Here's a good piece of advice. Find an amazing artist and shop that is ready to help you get a piece of work you'll be proud of, and one that respects the fact that you're the customer / client... Not high voltage. It sucks, I wanted to like this place soooooo much.
Props to those of you who had a good experience. I'd look forward to having one also... somewhere else, I guess..:/
This place is soooo bullshit LA wannabe subculture. The minimum is 200 dollars. Crazy minimum fee for a small tattoo.
The receptionist guy with the black hair was rude and soo LA; he made me want to kick him in the shins because he did not know what he was talking about and he was totally rude too!
My friend wants an awesome tattoo on her palm and he rejected her without proper info about why that tattoo is not a good idea to place onto her palm. After that he said the minimum is 200 dollars! So, my friend still wanted the damn tattoo and he told her if she wasnt an experienced person who has been tatted all over then he wouldnt reccomended it. Fuckin idiot. How could he know if she wasnted tatted all over her ass! lol Would that make her experienced? Or was it because she didnt have sleeves to show that she's an experienced person who have multiple tattos! lol @ being experience for getting tattoos. He was a horrible represenative for High Voltage and for Kat Von D.
Plus, to the asshole who quoted my friend 200 dollars minimum; she had the money + more; freakin moron.
I've been getting tattoo work done for several years now. I've been in shops in LA and Chicago.
So about a year ago I went to High Voltage to get a large piece done by a specific artist that was recommended to me. I went in for 2 sessions with the artist and we got the outline done. But overall I was very disappointed in the work and the atmosphere at High Voltage. At no point did anyone there treat me as if I was anything more than just another tourist.
And the prices at High Voltage are ridiculous! I was treated poorly and got a crappy outline for a huge price. I think not!
I am now having another artist finish the tattoo. Not to mention that all of the outlining I had done at High Voltage had to be redone because it was outlined in gray! Who outlines a huge "old-school Americana" tattoo in gray? I don't know what they were thinking.
So I thought this might be just the one artist there. But last night I spoke with a friend of mine that went there and had a similar experience just last month with a different artist!
This place is just another Hollywood high priced tourist trap.
The online form doesn't really get you an appointment as I learned the hard way. But, I happened to be in L.A. for the weekend and wanted to check out High Voltage, so I walked in on a Thursday night at about 7:00pm. Honestly, I was a little intimidated from all the reviews I read on here, but I was immediately greeted by both men at the front desk who were very friendly and apologized about not being able to schedule an appointment online. I told them about a tattoo that I was thinking of getting, but I was unprepared (I honestly didn't think I'd be getting a tattoo that night...just visiting), but the tattoo artist Jeff, was able to give me a beautiful tattoo as a tribute to my great aunt who is dying of cancer, right there on the spot. The tattoos are extremely expensive, even for the high quality, but the atmosphere was really friendly and I had a really great experience. Thanks so much Jeff for an AWESOME job!! My auntie LOVED IT!!!
I love my tattoo from Kat! She was very professional, a true artist. I had a minimal wait time and since i knew what i wanted, things went smoothly!
It was worth every penny, I mean how much would you pay for a Picasso or Rembrandt?? Well it's not that much for a tattoo here and this is one piece of art I will be wearing the rest of my life!!! I would gladly go back and get ANY artist there!
The caveat is that I didn't get a tattoo here, so I'm going to review it from an operational aspect only. The artists are I'm sure quite talented and while a couple of them appeared to be super-diva--reality-tv-emo-fuckfaces, most of them seemed very chill and the portfolios (though quite limited in number) were swell.
Seriously though, this is the Disneyland of fucking tattoo parlors. I'm by no means some old school legit tattoo guy but this place is representative of every single thing I hate about LA. That makes me sound like a cock but seriously - there's not a lot I hate about LA, it just so happens all of it is in this shop.
If you've ever been in a tattoo parlor, you know what they look like. They're really dingy. Even the really good ones. So when you walk into this set-decorated chandelier monstrosity with its overwrought faux-patina "reception" desk and pictures of Kat von D EVERYWHERE, you literally ask yourself if you are in a tattoo parlor or not. Tattooing is second to what this place is. This place is a BRAND, pure and simple, in the worst, most contemporary definition of that word. There's an old school 720 arcade game. Cool right? But it doesn't fucking work. It's out of order. It's all show. It has no guts inside it and no soul. Hmmmm... metaphor for the entire shop??? Hell yes it is.
If you want an autographed photo of Kat von D, don't come here because they don't have any. If you want a t-shirt, don't come here, because they're out of all styles except one. If you want a, I don't know, TATTOO, don't come here because there is no system in place to deal with the slews of potential customers, either seeking appointments OR walk-ins.
If, however, you want to stand around in too much black makeup Sidekicking your super-cool, super-sexy friends about how you saw Heidi Montag at a dive bar in Silverlake last night and now you just can't possibly ever go back there - then by all means, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. P.S. though, there's a freaking $200 minimum. Pssh... shouldn't be a problem on Daddy's Amex.
I'll sum this place up with one last BLAST. While I was in there checking out the portfolios and watching my foolish dream of finding someone there to tattoo me slowly melt into a heart-a-gram shaped puddle on the floor, a little girl came into the shop. About 10 years old, wearing obscenely short shorts with something inappropriate written on the ass, escorted by her dad in jean shorts and mom with the teased out hair that might have belonged on that very same street corner about two decades ago. This wee chubby little monster approached the reception area and asked very nervously and very politely for a picture of Kat von D.
THEY WOULDN'T GIVE HER ONE.
Classic. These guys create the effing post-modern Disneyland and then refuse to serve the very masses that eat up the slop they're throwing down. Guess what jerkfaces: If you build it, they will come.
But I will not.
Now excuse me while I go blow the smoke off the tip of my freshly fired .45.
This place is awfull!!!!!! I walked in to get an estimate of what my tattoo would cost and they totally ignored me. The receptionist guy needs to wake up he's there to help but he totally ignores everyone(yes, the guy with the black hair that appears in the show) he just told me that my tattoo was not a good idea where I wanted to place it then left......?????? Hello????? Can u please keep helping me??? This is my first tattoo and I wanted to get it somewhere really professional, not here I guess. One of the tattoo artist (Dan) actually finished helping me cuz the other guy was such an ass . Not to put Kat Von D down but honey hire new staff that can represent you because right now your not looking to good.
Whaaaa? NO KAT VON D.???? lol
Boyfriend wanted a picture with hottie Kat Von D. but his dreams were crushed when we arrived and, alas, no Kat was in sight. Oh well, I got a couple good pics for Yelp. I didn't see a merchandise section, which was another disappointment for him since he wanted to buy an LA Ink shirt.
2/5 stars
========
UPDATE ON *3/19/08*
In response to a comment made by Colleen Y. that her review was based on people like ME... I love the show too, AND all its artists, but that doesn't mean I'll give it an automatic 5 stars JUST BECAUSE of that. Also, even though I haven't been tatted by anyone here, at least I have actually stepped inside this store unlike others who just rate it 5 stars because she likes the artists and watched the reality show.
Bumped it up one star to shut her the hell up. However, those were some pretty bold statements coming from someone who hasn't even been to High Voltage. Geez. So hey-- Colleen Y, chill out, will ya? =] Furthermore, am I alone in believing that reviews should NOT even be made unless you've actually patroned the establishment??? I mean, if that were the case, I'd have a million reviews... all based on my personal feelings and thoughts. Hahaha... People want to hear about your experiences, NOT your biased opinions based on watching the show, which like all tv reality shows, are probably even not that realistic.
========
UPDATE ON 3/20/08
Colleen Y. removed her review. HA. Funny.
I went here in May 2008 just to check it out. My mom was a fan of LA Ink. I thought about getting a tattoo and figured if I can walk in and get one done then it was meant to be and it was! I knew I wanted a tiger lily on my back and found one already on google images. So we found it on their computer, and they printed it out. Adrian did my tattoo, he was awesome! It was my first and only tattoo, so far. He made me very comfortable and I've gotten so many complements on it! Seriously! The only drawback was it was expensive...$350! It goes back to you get what you pay for, no regrets here...it looks great and the experience was perf! Oh, and he told me there are 2 teams. Adrian isn't on the team that is filmed for the show. I didn't care, if he worked for Kat, I knew he had to be good! :)
LA INK/ High Voltage Tattoo What a disappointment
Current mood: frustrated
I never thought I would be one of those whiney asses who blog, but this really pissed me off. I was LA area for a few days and decided to go to High Voltage Tattoo(on TLC it's LA INK) I go to the website and look up all the necessary info. I found out that they were filming for season two and that had it's own set of issues mainly that they had different off camera hours.... really no big deal. mon-fri 9:00- midnight sat and sun 12:00 p.m. to midnight.
Walk Ins more than welcome!
If you're in the area, come by and get tattooed, and check out the new shop!
They really can't give you pricing info because they can't see what you want online, but a basic hourly rate and minimum like other shops I have been to would be nice. ( I read elsewhere online that it could be upwards of $500.00 depending on what you want but who knows)
The site also touted the fact that they had about 12 artists, so I figured I could at least get a decent tattoo with all the talent they have.
So on saturday after fighting my way through traffic I finally found the place. As I drove by trying to find parking (about a block away not too bad) I noticed a small line out front. This was about 1:00 in the afternoon. By the time I got up to the door the line was a little longer. It was mostly teenieboppers and gawkers with cameras wanting to get merchandise(if this was Disney Land could I get some Kat Von D ears????)
I finally made it through the door and wow was I suprised!!!! (not really) It looks much bigger on T.V.
It was Planet Kat a shrine to all things Kat Von D.( the girl is hot but c'mon) it was sickening.Posters and t-shirts etc.
Hey!!! Your'e not Pixie!!! where's the skateboard ramp and what's with the red velvet rope. I was looking for the signs like aproximate wait from this point and you must be this tall to be tattooed. And the place is so full of merchandise that there was no room.
When you get towards the velvet rope you are confronted by a Pixie wannabe who gruffly asks Tattoos or merch.
The guy in front of me stepped up and asked how much of a wait there was and her reply was do you know what you want??? His reply was yeah kind of and went into what he wanted. Her reply "I doubt you'll get it today,are you local??? come back tomorrow.(what happened to the whole gimme about 15 minutes and I can whip that up for you like I see on tv??? you mean that's not how they really do it ???)
Wow great customer service..Here's a quarter go buy yourself a personality....I also noticed that it's about 1:15 in the afternoon and you have two artists.
I step up and am asked the basic shit.....my reply is "well I would like to incorporate a sea turtle into this armband right here..... "
Same pat answer "It's not gonna happen today, are you local?"
"Well I can be here tomorrow"
"Try to be here right at noon"
Ok, this is where I get a little confused.
1. Shop hours 12:00 to Midnight( granted I did show up at 1:15 p.m. could there have been that many people ahead of me wanting tattoos???) but isn't that 12 hours?? Couldn't I get on a list go and get lunch or dinner or go to Disney Land or oh I don't know.......GIVE ME A FUCKING APPOINTMENT TIME AND I WILL SHOW UP!
2. Two artists???? huh,I would think that as popular as they are they would have as many as possible. I know that the main four probably don't have time to be there but that leaves 8 more. I haven't heard of any of these other artists and I am sure that they would do a good job but from the website you would think that the others drop by to do work.....fat chance.
3.Why even ask if you can't provide what people want?? Do you know what you want???(I knew)Are you local??? (no but I have about 11 hours to kill)can you come back tomorrow at noon and start this process all over again only to be turned away????(would you like your tits shot off???I couldn't resist)
4. Even when I was there, nothing was posted about prices and minimums(if you have to ask maybe you can't afford it???)It would have saved me maybe a trip if it was on the website and saved me some embarrasment at the end(know where I can find an ATM I'm a couple hundred short.)
5. What's the big deal???? If I can't get in to begin with,can't get the artist I want or the work I want done without going to TLC or the High Voltage Website and waiting an eternity for a response that may or may not come.......(believe me unless you have some really sappy story about cancer or a baby or something like that forget it)why bother. If I wanna go to a cramped space with only two "artists" I don't know ,I'll go to Sea Tramp in Portland
Update 3/19/08
I got a "compliment" from ColleenY . saying it was also me that she was talking about in her review.....Oh that must have been the idiotic experience. Well as a matter of fact I was speaking about their service or rather lack there of. I
I'm not the least bit interested in appearing on the show, I just wanted a fair chance to get some quality ink. I sent a request via the High Voltage website back in late August because my family and I were heading down there in late November.
I never heard from anyone.
Because I lived in L.A. for much of my 20's I don't really care to do the tourist thing when I go down to visit.
However, I was intrigued that the old used furniture store on Fountain and La Brea is now KAT VON D's tattoo shop! I used to browse there and now it's a tourist hit spot. Nifty.
We went in just so that we could brag that this one time we came-we saw-we left. I wasn't surprised that Kat wasn't in the building as she was probably off gallavanting with Nikki Sixx or whatever. The desk dude was Sunset Strip snobby which is actually very much a myth because I got my nose pierced on the Strip and they were just the sweetest people ever. Notsomuch here. "It's a $200 minimum" he told me straight up as if he already new I would not be forking out that much for the xochitl flower I've been craving (I just don't know where I want to put it and that's the main reason for my delay.)
They do sell some really cool T-shirts with Kat Von D.'s image, but I'm really not a fan so I didn't purchase.
For those of you who are interested in getting inked by the lady herself it's $1000 minimum, up to a year wait and you have to go to some special website to fill out an application and submit pictures.
First of all, I want to start by saying I'm absolutely happy with my tattoo and the service my artist provided. I got an add-on mountain as a background to a dragon that took about two hours by Jeff Ward, and I plan to go back to have more touch-ups and have more work done. If I were grading my artist alone, I would give this a five star rating.
The tattoo has healed wonderfully, no bleeding, and sharp attention to detail and colour. I chose my artist because I am a comic book fan and, in my own bias, he is from the Midwest. Down to earth and confident in his skill, I will be looking forward to doing more work with him in the near future.
I did not actually know this was a famous place until I arrived to schedule a consultation. My number one criticism is that they have no way of contacting the artist, except via email, so it requires a certain amount of persistence. I cannot speak for the more high profile artists, but I was able to have work scheduled and done on me in two days.
Be forewarned you will be tattooed out in the open, so if you are getting something done that is in a sensitive area you may want to speak to your artist.
My review is far more about an artist at High Voltage than the shop.
Kim Saigh is amazing!! Her artwork is incredible and the time she takes with clients is second to none. Recently on vacation visiting a friend in San Francisco, Kim took time out of her schedule to tattoo me. I gave her an odd shaped patch on my arm that had yet to be tattooed and told her to do whatever she wants. Kim designed an amazing piece for me and was able to do it the next day.
Screw TV shows and the weird reviews by people that don't seem to understand anything about how a tattoo shop works. Kim is dope. She is a very nice and humble woman that enjoys and prides herself on what she does. Besides if you are getting a tattoo because of the place and not who's doing it, you're mental...get a clue!!!
If you are willing to wait and get on her list, I would HIGHLY recommend that you be tattooed by Kim Saigh!!!!
First off, I think I'm the only one on here so far that actually did get tattooed by Kat.
I don't know why all the whiners are here. They sound like bitchy tourists that don't know how shows are recorded. Seems everyone thinks life works just like it does on TV... well guess what, it doesn't. Deal with it and move on. The shop was built for a tv show AND a tattoo shop and I think it does both very well. I'm not local but I'm wouldn't be bitching about filming if I lived in Hollywood. Seems like the wrong place to live if you don't care for that sort of thing.
After having over 200 hours of tattooing on my body so far for , I was looking for a portrait artist for my next tattoo. I figured I could wait a long time on Kat's list (like all other high profile artists... not just her) or apply to the show and get tattooed that way. I submitted to be on the show and was getting my tattoo about a month and a half later.
Kat was so super sweet right from the start and the shop itself is amazing! She knew I wasn't there for the show but there for her tattooing. We shot the shit from all kinds of subjects and never was a dull moment. I am amazed at how light her touch is. It barely even felt like I was getting tattooed. She's a great tattooist first and foremost and a super, super sweet person as well. It's too bad that she gets this extra layer of expectation put on her just because she has a show.
My friend and I had a blast, the film crew did what film crews do and film the show. Kat was nothing less then super nice and I got a GREAT tattoo out of it, it looks just like the photo I brought in with me. It was an experience I won't forget and one of my favorite sessions I've ever had with a tattooist, oh... and it wasn't no $1,500 dollars.
People don't realize that all high profile tattoo artists have a very busy schedule and you can't just walk in and get tattooed. That's just reality. Some guys in San Francisco have a 3 year waiting list... and they don't have their own shows either. Most tattoo artists I go to have *at least* a month wait.
Kat does a great job doing what she does and like me, if you really want to get tattooed by her you'll find a way and when you do, you'll be very happy with what you get. But don't be expecting to bring some tribal stuff off the street and expect a tattoo in an hour.
Well, I went with my hubby he got our daugther's picture by Kat, she is amazing,so sweet so nice, down to earth. We are normal average people, and she treated us like A list clients. She apologized about the delay.Gave me home made cookies..lol.I would say We did wait awhile for appointment to get booked but its was worth it, she took pics with us and was a great person. Kim was there as well and jeffree star all very nice. The tattoo came out the best i have ever seen. Her whole attitude was very peaceful and real. I saw no ego, at all just a women who loves people and tattoos. Will be back.
Although my perspective is of someone who was behind the scenes as a cat sitter of LA Ink, and not of a High Voltage client, I can vouch my client friend is very happy with his tattoos here. And it's quicker than one might think to get tattooed here. It would be during the hours the film crew isn't here and definitely depending on the tattoo artist working.
The film crew was completing final scenes when my friend and I visited. My friend was a guest on the show earlier that day. Kat had just finished the singer of Alkaline Trio's "Hello Cleveland" tattoo and left for an interview. I was introduced to names but I spent most of the time minding one of the hairless cats, making sure it didn't escape from the dressing room. In other words, I closed the door if anyone happened to open it. All the while I was drinking blue Jones soda.
i accompanied my sister who was visiting from texas about a month ago to see if she could get a quote and appointment. the minute we walked in it was tourist city, there was a family to the left waiting for their appointment and kept taking pictures and people kept walking in and buying t-shirts.
i was looking over portfolios and albums while my sister asked for a quote on a dodgers "LA" tattoo behind her ear. probably less than 30 minutes worth of work. it took them almost 20 minutes to come back with the price. $250. AND. they didn't have any openings until noon the next day. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
we kindly said no thank you and left.
it would have been a different story if KAT VON D was doing the tattooing herself.
other observations while there:
-there's more than 4 stations it seems but only 2 artists were actively working on people.
-there's 4 staff people that seem to just be milling about looking quite lost...how come they couldn't get us the quote sooner?
-now there's a HUGE sign that says: $200 per hour, 2 hour minimum (from what i remember)
-no skate ramp (was that for tv only? LOL)
-staff was kinda rude.
the outcome:
sis got her tattoo for $40 from a place in anaheim. SWEET!
Here is the real deal on this place: it SUCKS.
I had a friend visiting for 10 days from Paris recently. She's a former Suicide Girl so as you can imagine she is into tattooing. We both had seen LA Ink and Miami Ink and I have at least one friend who has been tattooed by Kat. (should have taken it as a sign when I asked about it in email and she never responded about that subject.)
So, I take my friend, who is excited and never been to LA before, by High Voltage one night so she can see the shop and because I want to get a portrait done by Kat. Everything I've read about the shop claims they want to keep prices low and have a first come-first served policy and I thought they might be trying to be a cool, simple, old school place. What a crock of shit. First off, this shop is nothing more than a front/set for the show. It's only open from like 8 to midnight or something similar and never during the day. (when it's used to film the show - they just pretend to be open when people come in for tattoos which is why there's never anyone else getting tattooed in the background - it's not a real shop!) It's just a set and then open to bleed suckers when it's not in use. So we walk in and there's many people there to check out the shop and not a single artist or person from the show is in the shop. Zero, none, not a single artist or even the receptionist. Now, I live here in LA so I really didn't care much, but there were people there from all over the country and the world wanting to get specific work done and looking really disappointed when they figured out they'd been had and I felt really bad for them and for my friend.
So, we talk to the 'receptionist' (utterly clueless and apathetic) and asked when Kat was there to which she replied that she didn't know. I had a picture with me that I wanted to get a quote on to have a portrait done and asked her how to do that and she said she really didn't know and it would probably be at least $1200. At this point the sense of ripoff, fake show/shop, and not giving a damn about the people they were screwing around became so overwhelming that I decided I wouldn't patronize this poseur shop if it were for free, so we left.
Bottom line: Fake show, fake shop, don't even bother because it'll probably be gone in about 15 minutes. Should have known no 25 year old runs a legit business in LA. Kat has pissed away a huge opportunity to set up a legit shop with huge, free advertising and make it huge. Instead, she does an occasional celebrity tattoo maybe once a day and has her shop set up to rip off her fans the rest of the time.
Sorry Kat, I think you're an awesome artist, but this whole deal is so not legit I cannot even express it, and it's making a terrible impression on anyone new to the tattoo scene coming there because of your show. I hope you change course and make this a real shop, but right now I predict 1 season for your show and a few minutes more for High Voltage tattoo and that's about it. YMMV
Amazing artists and atmosphere formulate High Voltage and the combo together with Kat Von D is unstoppable. The shop is incredible, truly original piece of art itself! And yes, the chance of getting a tattoo with one of the artist on LA Ink is not that high, but High Voltage hires lots of different tattoo artists, who are there every day waiting for you and working day and night shifts! And yes, it's all worth it! It's about experience and amazing tattoo artists, and if you don't like it, then there is plenty of other shops in Hollywood, so make a room for those of us who love it! Just because the shop is featured on TV, it does not mean it sucks! It just has to obey by different rules and time frames, which causes frustration for regular people. But it's OK, because for everybody who loves tattoos will support the artists, the shop and LA Ink!
although i didnt get a tattoo here. Meeting kat von d was awesome and her shop looked great. But my goal is to get tattood by her one day.
i think there tends to be a lot of confusion about kat von d's new shop, so i wanted to jump in and add my humble opinion.
i was tattooed by kat von d at high voltage almost a month ago, and i have to tell you that it was completely awesome!!! i think that reality tv shows inject so many calculated story lines that it skews the image of the actual person. as soon as i got there kat (who was in the middle of shooting something for comedy central) came back to meet me. she showed us (i brought my mom and friend and she was totally cool with that) into her office and asked if we wanted anything to drink and said we could hang out with her totally adorable cat, ludwig. she even apologized that things were taking so long (not that i cared one bit since i was having so much fun). to make this story a little shorter... the shop rocks (i love her style and the general decor) and seems like a cool little tattoo family despite how insanely popular it has become due to the show. i did not see anyone else from the show there, and do not be surprised if you don't either. i absolutely love my tattoo!! during the time i was there kat was nothing but awesome. she is a very genuine person who was nothing but fun and gracious the entire time i was there. all the other staff i talked to were really nice as well. the shop was professional and well organized despite their hectic filming schedule.
in order to try to get an appointment (with her or anyone on the show)you have to send a request to the artists, which you can do via http://www.highvoltage... or through the artists' websites. i contact her through http://www.katvond.net and received a response about a month later from her sister, Karoline (who is really helpful and seems like a great PA). kat does not charge $1,000/hr. but by the piece. portraits usually go between $1,000-$1,500, but remember... you get what you pay for. if you pay for kat's talent and experience you are going to get a kick ass tattoo!
i cannot say enough good things about my experience at high voltage and i cannot wait to go again! my only advice is to have realistic expectations and be patient.
my friend tried to open the door and the pseudo-security guard pushed the door closed and said "hey, they're filming." god, i hate reality tv.
