Went in for another one just this past weekend. Sal is great as always, and it's interesting how a bond between an artist and his client deepens with time. The wife asked me why I always go to him. The answer is that when I find something that works I don't fuck with it. I've been going here for something like two years now and it's great every time. Even to just go and look around at the artwork is a good time.
Review Source:I got my second tattoo done here a few years ago, and I was very satisfied with the work. I drew my own, and took it in to get it done. I loved it and I went back to get it shaded. Highly recommend you consider this place and the artists; if you are considering a tattoo. The artist who tattooed me was very informative and even was giving me ideas on how to finish my other tattoo. He was very creative so I am sure if you have doubts or simply need enlightenment on what you are getting ( because you must be 1000% sure, of course) ask, they are very easy going and their work is well done.
I didn't give the 5th star even though I like this place a lot, because the neighborhood is well, the hood, Echo Park. It is right before a busy intersection with buses passing by often, and a lot of people everywhere. And wait for it.......
METERED PARKING. yes, the street parking is available if you're lucky to find a good spot. They don't have a private lot, the one in the back is metered ( they do accept debit cards) so do consider your session time.
My family and I all get our work done by Sal at the shop. He has always been amazing and listens to what we want. He also suggests ideas to make our ideas even better... A skill only a true artist can possess. I love how all the artists have a good personality and encourage each other to always strive to be the best. The shop is clean and always well maintained. I can't wait to get more work done!!
Review Source:I went to El Clasico to teach and certify Sal in his Bloodborne Pathogens class. Â This class is mandated in order to get licensed with the L.A. Health Dept. Â Sal took 16 hours of training and was eager to create a shop that would be OSHA compliant. Â He is such a nice guy that anyone would feel at home in this shop; and his work is clean and well done. Â
Cheri Beaupre, Instructor
Academy of BodyArt
One word. Pogo. I have followed Pogo for 4 tattoo studios. I found him 4 years ago when trying to find a Traditional/Old School Tattoo artist on a drunken night. I've been loyal to him and only him for years because of his amazing artwork, amazing creativity, and the fact that he's actually one of the nicest and sincere persons ever to tattoo me. It doesn't get any better than him. For something amazing that's going to be on your body for the rest of your life I have one word for you.... POGO!
Review Source:El Clasico Tattoo and Art Studio is the place to GO!!!! Got my first tattoo with Sal and I'm loving it!!! Ask for Sal, the man has great talent and impeccable vision in his art work and style....I wouldn't go any other place for my next tattoo!!! Plus the music and atmosphere is just plain bad ass!!!
Review Source:El Clasico Tattoo is fucking amazing.
A little background - I've had a not-so-great seahorse tattoo on my left shoulder blade for the past 6 years. Long story short, it was done for free in a garage in Oxnard, by a fine gentleman who might have had far too much to drink that day (only love for you, man!)...but, lesson learned. Â You definitely get what you pay for - or rather, don't pay for =/ Â Up until now, I was always embarrassed about it and desperately wanted to have it fixed.
After growing tired of my desperation, my very generous sister bought me a gift certificate to El Clasico so that I could get the transformation process started. I went in last Tuesday hoping to get some insight on what could be done with my tattoo, and Sal suggested that instead of just re-doing the tattoo, I should cover it up completely. Â Since he was already busy working on another tattoo that night, we scheduled an appointment to go over ideas on the coming Saturday. He sent me home to brainstorm ideas so we could see what could work and what wouldn't.
Fast forward to yesterday - I came in with only a couple pictures and showed him the one that I thought would be the best. Â He took a look and after some talk about price (which was very fair in my opinion), along with my request of putting in a smaller seahorse to pay tribute to my first tattoo, he went to draw something up. Sal took the picture I brought him and made it his own -- which was the most exciting part. Â His drawing was more than I could have expected. It was a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Â
Luckily, Sal is ridiculously easy to talk to. I was glad to have him to chat/banter with to distract me from the grueling couple hours under the needle(s) - I'm a weakling. Finally, after overhearing passerby's ooh's and ah's for too long, it was done. The moment of truth. As soon as I looked in the mirror to check out the final outcome, I couldn't hold back my huge smile. I didn't want to take my eyes off it. I still don't! My old tattoo is barely noticeable, and the new tattoo is gorgeous!! No more having to hide my shoulder blade! YES! I strongly suggest anyone looking into getting a tattoo or a fantastic cover up, to come in and talk to Sal -- or any of the other artists at El Clasico for that matter. I saw some beautiful work being done while I was there, and everyone seems very friendly and professional. I will definitely be coming back for more.
TL;DR - Went in to get a cover up. It came out beautifully. Will be back for more. Go to El Clasico to get your tattoo done. *See first line of review.
My husband got his first tattoo here back in 2009 by Dave and since then we have moved out of state. However, my husband refuses to go anywhere else and now saves his tattoo work for our annual summer trip to LA. He is headed back there this June for another. We swear by El Clasico. He gets comments on his artwork all the time and tells everyone "I get mine done at El Clasico" to which of course, people ask, "where is that?" and he responds, "LA." That's dedication.
Review Source:Great Shop!
Don't get scared because the place is located in Echo Park, actually consider it a plus! The staff are very professional, very clean, and they know what they are doing. There is no other place I would go to get a tattoo. I have full trust in all of the tattoo artists that work there.
I've gotten many tattoos at this place, and they have done an excellent job. Hollywood shops are just trying to make a quick buck out of you. If you want quality, cleanliness, friendly staff, but most of all the satisfaction of knowing you made the right choice of selecting a tattoo shop, look no further go to El Clasico. Best Choice I've Ever Made and I am Extremely Satisfied with my tattoos. I've told my friends about this place and they said it was the best choice they made.
I went here today, for my first tattoo. It was perfect, and looks exactly as I wanted it to!
We decided to come to El Clasico after passing it numerously and hearing only good things. It's very clean and the artists are super friendly. Only cost $60 min.
Sal did my tattoo, some simple line work on my lower waist. He was very gentle, and did a very careful job of perfecting the lines. In addition, he was friendly and open to talking while I was getting it done.
Terrific place, great service. Definitely coming back here in the future.
So I've noticed the reviews to Sal's shop are very positive minus that one guy. If Sal actually used yelp, I would imgaine his response to all the reviews would be summed up with a "cool" "that's badass" followed by a nod and smirk/smile.
To the negative response, would be replied with modist laugh and smile. If I were to tell him about the reviews he would maybe call me put and say I'm behind all of it, that's just Sal.
My history with Sal and his work goes back 12years.From the first time I met a young 20's psychobilly guitarist from the band, The Stitches, Sal was tattooing at a shop in Hollywood on the cornet of Hollywood & Vine called Red Line Tattoo.
Sal was one of 4 artists working in the shop, he was quiet but could easily pop a joke or snap back with a insult defacing your mothers good name or question your sexuality without hesitating on just how harsh the joke would be. I've fallen victim to Sal's jokes, I pretty much learned how to stand up for myself through the horrid heckling of Sal and the rest of the shop.
After the original owner of Red Line Tattoo abruptly shut the shop down and left Sal and the rest of the other tattoo artists essentially jobless,
Sal and 3 other tattoo artists decided to lease the unit that was Red Line Tattoo and start up their own shop which then became, VooDoo Ink Tattoo.
They were one of the few shops that was run by tattoo artists and not some guy who had a bunch of shops on the Blvd and would open and shutdown any shop he wanted to.
They had a reputation that is STILL legendary, if you heard the stories of debauchery and insane late night partying, I'm here to tell you that its all true, BUT! But, through the craziness and insane moments I shared with Sal and the rest of the guys I can say that they did tattoo a hell of a lot as much as they had fun. Their reputation quickly became ALL about tattooing.
Eventually the rest of the original owners left VooDoo Ink and Sal took the reigns and basically became the sole owner of the tattoo shop, Sal started Bloodshot Tattoo on mid 2005, he had endured two different eras of that shop and transformed it into his vision his style and his attitude. Sal evolved not only as a tattoo artist and painter but as an individual as well, he maintained his sarcastic/asshole/laid back attitude through it all.
Tired of the Blvd, Sal decided to set up shop in Echo Park to what is now known as El Clasico Tattoo, located on Sunset & Echo. Sal is still evolving still growing and learning as artist of his craft. The work Sal has done for me is still as good as the day he tattooed them, its funny seeing how his style changed through each tattoo I received throughout the years.
Anyone can say his work is amazing of a one tattoo they got, and they're not lying,
I stand 100% Â by Sal and his work not just because he's done my work but because he is a perfectionist in the most positive way. He'll work hard on helping you seek your vision of your tattoo and hell take a pop at you too. I can say this about him, if you want to really have an amazing piece of tattoo art on you, I really do recommend Sal Preciado as the guy to get the tattoo from.
Having said that, I can honestly say Sal earned my respect and friendship without ever second guessing how good of friend he has been to me in the years we have known eachother. Sal's work is hands down,
FUCKING BADASS and if you don't mind the tormenting and heckling of sal, Adam and Pogo then this is a place you wont be disappointed going to.
Asshole John
El clasico is now the only shop I will ever go to for my ink. I knew bloodshot when they were in Hollywood, followed them to echo park, and all I can say is the few that I have from them are the best tattoos I could ever hope for. Sal preciado is simply an amazing artist, not to mention the coolest and most down to earth artist you could hope for. Adam is equally as cool but I have not yet got any work from him. I'm constantly being stopped and complimented on the most vibrant colors and cleanest lines, the work is just gorgeous. And the pricing is moderate, not too much, but just what you'd expect. Once in a while they do specials, like sugar skulls during the last week of October were only 80 and the upgrade I got to include roses was only 80 more. I've never spent more than 200 on a tat there. Just amazing. And yes, they are super clean too.
I think the guy that gave a three star review and didn't even get a tat should be deleted. Just sayin'
I've gone here twice and left COMPLETELY SATISFIED. Adam Padilla has done two AMAZING pieces on me. He also designed my chest piece from a few conversations and a bit of emailing we exchanged. The whole experience is simply perfection. The guys are helpful and they're not stuck up like other shops I've previously been to. The morale of their team as a whole is a nice change as to what I've experienced.
Review Source:I went into El Clasico with a very specific request for a tattoo. Adam greeted me and took a look at the book I brought in to have the artwork from the cover turned into a tattoo.
he sketched it out, it looked awesome and we decided to go for it, the quality is great, the tattoo is so detailed and I didn't even think it could be done! but he did it and did it really well.
I will go here again and probably never go anywhere else! the place is super clean too.
I met Sal years ago when he had a shop on hollywood. I came in for a little star but ended up getting countless tattoos from him over the years. Sal is such an awesome guy and i def consider him a friend. Not that you should do this but Sal has put up with me changing my mind about tattoos and has redrawn my tats as i've given him the vaguest descriptions of what i want. If you want an authentico Los Angeles tattoo from a rad dude go here.
Review Source:GO HERE. PERIOD.
Best tattoo experience I've had. I'm sorry to all my previous tattoo dudes, we had a great run, but I've found my spot at El Clasico. Had work done by Adam today and its by far my favorite tattoo evz. Got a very classic american eagle that takes up most of  my upper arm, and the line work, shading, and symmetry are incredible. "Doesn't get any better than that,"  one of the other artists said to Adam as he walked by and looked at my tattoo being done. That said, all the artists are well rounded, but who can't love a big bold classic  American?
Also, they're all really funny and down to earth- I had to really try to hold in my laughing pretty much the whole time.
PS- really good pricing. Good work aint cheap and cheap work aint good, but I would have expected to pay a lot more for the kind of work I got. Â Get goin!!!!
Yes... I admit it. Â I hooked up with a Yelper. Â Not the brightest moment of my life but hey... we all make mistakes. Â
After a drunken night of debauchery and regret, we both ended up getting a damn red star tattooed on our bellies. Â Oh the irony...
Clean, cool establishment. Â A lil pensy but they do good work with light hands.
I've been given a Yelp rating of 1 star.
And after a day of tacos and tequila, god said, "let there be tattoos"
And lo, the people obeyed and adorned their nakedness with ink so that they might please their god. Â And so they traveled to the altar that is of ink and needles, of hipsters and bikers, of bored housewives and mid-life crises crying, "anoint me, oh artisans, anointy-nointy".
This is another one of my "don't really remember it but know I had a good time" reviews. Â And how do I know this time? Â Because I walked out with a tattoo. Â I have no recollection of what my guy's name was only that my girl and I went "red star" like a couple of retards in line at the ice cream truck. Â We signed the waivers swearing that we were not inebriated or under any influence at the time. Â That cracked me up. Â I didn't bleed during the tattoo, I oozed tequila. Â And so it went.
Buzz buzz goes the needle
Cringe cringe goes the faithful
Ooze ooze goes the flesh
And voila, there you have a tattoo.
The color is holding fast, the memory of the moment, not so much. Â El Clasico, if for no other reason, gets five stars in my book because they made a special day into a timeless journey forever blazed upon my belly. Â Wanna see?
Excellent experience just now at El Clasico. Walked in with no appointment with a print of my own design for a birthday tattoo. The artist, Stacks, showed me her online portfolio and it looked good and her quoted price for the piece was fair so I went for it. I'm quite pleased with the result. Stacks is very friendly and meticulous and really nailed the design which called for some dense black and red coverage. The other artist (Sal?) was also doing some great-looking work while I was in the shop. I'm 100% pleased and would happily go back here for more ink.
Review Source:Well I got to meet Sal awhile back when he owned Bloodshot Tattoo in Hollywood. I gave him a visit on Friday I love his new shop I like Echo Park, Silver lake, Los Feliz area because they have some great shops and bars...lol
So I made my appointment for next Saturday to get my ink done.whoopwhoop
I love this spot....Sal is def the man. I've come in with different concepts and ideas and Sal manages to blow my mind with each sketch he's come up with. If your looking for a man who can do some amazing blacks and greys, he's your man. I've entrusted my entire left arm to this man....well worth it...
Review Source:It's been almost 9 years since my last tattoo and I've been planning this one for about the last 2 years. Â I took a picture of a very non-traditional sacred heart to Sal Preciado on a whim one Friday night a few weeks ago and asked him to re-interpret the picture into something tattoo friendly. Â What he came up with was as amazing on paper as it is now on my back, full of vivid color and stunning. Â Even though I'm still recovering from the event itself, I already love the end result and highly recommend El Clasico. Â Sal was able to see my vision and bring it to life, despite it's very non-traditional tone. Â He created for me something I will enjoy looking at (with a mirror, of course) for the rest of my life.
Review Source:I was shopping around to find a place in echo park that I could get some new tattoos. Â I visited other shops and was met with a bad attitude. Â Upon entry to El Clasico my friend and I were greeted genuinely and warmly. Â The staff here are so freaking cool! Â My friend and I got sweet neck tats by Adam and I am going back for more. Â Thank you, El Clasico!
Review Source:From the moment you walk in the energy is great! The artwork is outstanding, and the people that work there are helpful and friendly... Their apprentice greeted me right as I walked in ( I just love that!! ) Â I myself have been tattooed by just about every artist there.. and love everything that has come out of it.. Â I trust them with my tattoos and recommend them to everybody! I have many friends that have been through El Clasico and have only GREAT things to say....and If my opinion counts for you, I would say you are in great hands!
Review Source:The business card touts an 'ECHO PARK' address. If my assumption is right, this parlor is an out of town outfit. Everyone there was really nice and there were still things being hung on the walls when I dropped in. Â I looked through the books and the artists working had decent black/grey work and some portraits that were ok. I didn't ask for hourly rates but I have a feeling these guys are eager to build a genuine clientele in the neighborhood. I think they'll be ok seeing as the location will reflect their tattoo style strengths. When you're ready for that Ole' E ECHO PARK or SILVERLAKE stamp here's a place that has the practice behind it all ready. I'd say save a trip if your looking for detailed custom work. Lastly, seeing as this place rents under the Jenson Center, I didn't feel the clean I'd anticipate at any other shop (no aromatic antibacterial scents here). There was piercing as well and it was kind of annoying to hear people bargening for skate decks which they also sell at the front counter. I dunno how ready I am about crossing scenes so closely? Check Yelp for other spots near by or see for your self if you need a skate deck or trux.
Review Source:
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