ignatz

@Dr Wanker: I'm calling bull{censored}. Cite your studies. @Mike-o: When I'm all wrinkly and {censored}, my ink will be too, and that's just fine with me. That's part of the deal: when you get a tattoo, you're buying a piece of art that's going to change with your body and die with you. To some extent, you're embracing the inevitability of death. Considering that in America it's a sin to look older than 25, it's no wonder some people get all squicky about it.

I've spent about 30 hours and around $3k on my back piece over the last four years. I go in 4-hour chunks. I could sit for longer, but that's usually what I can afford. The work is full color so it proceeds very slowly. I'd love to book a few full days some time and get the thing finally hammered out, but part of me is also enjoying that it's a long, slowly evolving process.

Tele for me. It's my voice.

Best bang/buck ratio is Big Muddy (formerly Mid-Missouri). They aren't the prettiest mandos, but they're solid-wood, American-made instruments that sound great. F-style mandos are generally far more expensive than A-style, and the scroll and points contribute nothing to the tone. They do look pretty, though.