Marty did my tattoo last October, it was my first one and boy was I nervous. The process was fairly quick about an hour. Art work was exactly how I imagined it, I told him what I wanted and he drew it perfectly. Healing process was great, no peeling on mine. I will only let Marty put ink on this body. Thank you Marty, your the best! I will be back soon for my 2nd one.
Review Source:We will not go any where but this shop for body work - absolutely love them. I have 3 tattoos from Marty, my husband has 2 (one is large and took 3 sessions) and I have several ear piercings (rook, cartilage) and a belly ring by Melissa as well. It is extremely clean and professional. Marty listens, doesn't rush the art process and is perfection at making our rambling ideas into the art we want. He is very flexible and consistent with scheduling and makes the actual tattoo getting as comfty as possible. I cannot recommend this place enough. We have many more 'by Marty' tattoo plans.
(Great music too!)
El Toro Body Shop is by far the best tattoo and piercing studio in the Gilroy-Morgan Hill area. Very neat, clean, and professional while still maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Melissa, the piercer, is very careful to make sure you're at ease and comfortable. Before she pierces you, she makes the markings and has you approve placement, tells you exactly what she's gonna do, and pierces you when you're nice and relaxed, which makes the process much more enjoyable for you as the piercee.
Marty, one of the tattoo artists, is very good at what he does, and his style is more realistic. He always has his music playing, which adds to the tattoo studio ambiance and helps you feel more at home and comfortable. Sam, the other tattoo artist, has an amazing creative style and a light hand.
I love this place.
Melissa has done all of my piercings (and will for many years to come) and Sam did my first largish tattoo. I definitely suggest the folks at this place. They're the best of the best!
We had asked around town where people got their ink and the majority pointed us to Sam. Â I Â liked her style and when I went in to meet her, Â I was impressed with her professionalism. She was friendly and patient with me when I changed my mind. The shop is well-lit and bright. Very inviting for the first-timer.
I brought her a crude sketch of my idea along with some printouts. I loved her rendition of my vision and produced a beautiful drawing. Â She has a broad range (from what I saw in her book and on her walls). Â Her needle work was sharp and even. Her coloring was shaded well.
Sam was a relaxed and mellow worker who helped me feel at ease. I;m ready to go back for more.
Was really nervous to get my first tattoo, but Sam was amazing! I showed her a couple pictures and she was really patient with me when I was explaining what I wanted. She drew up the exactly what I wanted, and then was really patient with me through the whole tattooing process. It turned out perfect and didn't even hurt very much at all.
I would for sure refer everyone who wants a tattoo to come here, they're amazing!!!!!
The last piercing I got was my ears, when I was 8 years old. A solid 15 years ago. Well, I decided to make my move and get a few more ear piercings. I now have 5 (all on my lobes) and it's all thanks to Melissa at El Toro.
Thank goodness for this place. My boyfriend got his gauges here from Melissa, as well as his lip piercing, so I already trusted her. But when I got there, I felt even better. Such a clean space, and Melissa and Marty are such nice people. They will definitely put you at ease. I suggest calling ahead for an appointment, just fyi.
She was running a bit behind when we got there earlier today, but that was fine, nbd. When the time came she took me back to the piercing area in the back. She explained everything she did as she did it, all the while being funny and amazing. Thank God for that because my heart was going a lil nuts.
As for the actual piercing, it went beautifully and I couldn't have been happier with the results. I didn't notice at the time because I was going a little out of my mind (remember, my last piercing was 15 years ago, at Claire's, with the gun. Blech), but my boyfriend said she changed her gloves like 5 times throughout the process. Pretty much every time she touched me, just to keep everything completely sterile. She knows what she's doing and she has it down to a science.
I plan on getting my cartilage done when these bad boys heal (gettin crazy over here) and I can't wait to go back. Piercing is a big deal, and you will feel safe and taken care of here. :)
This place is the best at what they do. Melissa is the ONLY person I would let pierce my daughters. She is beyond clean. One of the nicest people I know.
This places reputation speaks for it's self.
Marty is an amazing artist. I gave him two pictures and then explained what else I wanted and he drew it up better than I could have imagined. My tat goes from the left side of my chest to half way down my upper arm. He designed something I am and always will be proud of. When I saw what he drew I asked for a couple little changes and he made them and I could not be happier.
If they ever get anything less than 5 stars the reviewer is just not able to be pleased cause these guy will do what is right every time.
Marty is an excellent tattoo artist, and has done work on me (a large and complex bicep piece) and several friends and family members as well. I have never seen a single tattoo from him that I didn't like, or one that wasn't of the highest quality. He is creative, takes feedback very well, and is safe and professional. I'll absolutely go back, and I highly recommend him.
(my tattoo done by Marty is in the photos section)
My first and not my last here! After many years of debating and deciding I went into talk to Marty, gave him some ideas, he sketched up 2 sketches and I knew which one immediately! He squeezed me in on a Saturday, came in early, I was so impatient to get it!
The day was great, windows open, cool breeze sunny, he was punctual, helpful, informative and got down to business! For the tattoo, last minute throw in design with color, start to finish 45 minutes. The second he started I was asking myself what I could do next! The only part that was rough was the color over my ankle bone, thank goodness he started with the black and white!
Husband is planning one and we'll be coming back to Marty! Now to decide what to do next!
Best body shop I've been to in the Bay Area. I've been coming here for a few years now, and I always recommend El Toro to people interested in piercings. Melissa is an experienced piercer who is very helpful and knowledgeable. The shop is miraculously clean, and all the instruments and jewelry are sterile. I wouldn't complain about the prices; imagine the hospital bills from an infected or messed up piercing or tattoo. For the cost, you really do get the highest quality professional service, ink, and jewelry at El Toro. I wouldn't go anywhere else!
Review Source:If I could give more stars, I would. Â Marty and Melissa are wonderful and they truly take pride in their shop. Â I initially went to see Marty with an idea for a tattoo that I had in my head for a few years. Â We talked about my idea and he came up with a sketch that captured everything that I wanted. Â In the shop, while prepping for the session, I could clearly see how Marty was taking care to make sure I was as safe as possible with sterile equipment. Â He was very calm the entire time and made me feel at ease. Â While doing the tattoo, Marty was very patient with me when I had to take a few breaks. Â The end result, the tattoo that I had been waiting years to get, looked amazing! Â I cannot help but get a bit giddy when I see my new, beautiful tattoo. Â I look forward to my next tattoo by Marty and will gladly recommend El Toro Body Shop. Â Thank you, Marty!
Review Source:Clean, clean, clean! Â I brought my daughter to El Toro Body Shop to have her ears pierced for the first time. Â I was so pleased by how sterile everything was and how careful Melissa was when handling instruments, etc. Â The procedure was quick and no more painful then those obnoxious guns they use at the cheap places. Â The holes healed up perfectly (we followed the shop's care instructions carefully) and I wouldn't hesitate to come here again!
Review Source:This place is great. I've been going there since I was about 13. Melissa is a great piercer, really nice and clean. May seem pricey but its better to pay for great quality piercings that won't be messed up or get infected then a cheap not so good piercing. One of the only places I'd trust to go in the entire bay area!
Review Source:I have had two older tatoos reworked by Marty and have had nothing but the best results. Marty is an excellent artist. I will be returning for a portrait tatoo of my three daughters soon and I am confident and excited about the results. Thanks a ton Marty and all at El Toro!!!! Mike W.
Review Source:I've been coming here since I turned 18. I have gotten my nose and my eyebrows pierced by Melissa who is super helpful and fun. Marty is one of the best tattoo artists I've ever seen, he puts a lot of time and dedication into his work and has even graced both my arms with some of the most artistic pieces I could ask for. Awesome place!
Review Source:I've gotten my ears gauged by Melissa, and a tattoo from Marty. Both experiences were great and I'm super happy with both my ears and my tattoos. I will be going here again for sure! The place is clean, organized and prepared. The stencil machine went on the fritz when making the stencil for my tattoo and they had a backup on ready to go and wasted no time making it happen!
Review Source:Got my tattoo done last month of a grouping of tropical flowers (i.e. hibiscus, plumeria, tiger lily)...It's beautiful! I've gotten so many compliments on it. The colors are amazing and my bf says when I have water on the flowers (shower) it looks so realistic! My bf is getting his quarter sleeve finished up..has had 2 of 3 sessions on it already, and it's looking awesome! Still recommend Marty to anyone :)
Review Source:I have always chosen this place above anyone else for all of my piercing and tattooing needs. I have gotten my navel, and 2nd and 3rd ear lobe holes done by Melissa, she is AWESOME!! Also, I have gotten both my wrist and my side piece tattoos done by Sam at El Toro. She does an amazing job and I couldn't be happier. Don't plan on going anywhere else! Prices are very reasonable and they are very VERY clean!!! Definitely recommend!!
Review Source:I moved out of Morgan Hill but I still go back here for piercings. This is the cleanest and most awesome tattoo/piercing shop I've ever been in. Marty is an insanely talented tattoo artist (I still haven't gotten a tattoo here but many friends have) and Melissa is the sweetest piercer you'll ever run into. They're both amazingly talented, experienced professionals.
Just go here. You wont regret it.
I took my daughter to have her nostril pierced. Melissa was great with a very nervous kid! She answered all the questions that both of us had and was very professional. The shop was very clean and everything she used was onetime use which me feel really good. She offered alot of advice and said to give her a call anytime we had a question. Overall a great experience
Review Source:I can't understand why you would want to mess with the perfectly beautiful body that God gave you, but if you must, this is the place to do it. Â I took my daughter here to get her ears pierced because of their attention to hygiene. Â Their sterile technique is mind boggling. Â They do beautiful tatoos as well. Â They have a wonderful reputation here in town.
Review Source:El Toro is one of the best tattoo and body piercing studios in the Bay Area. Â Owner, Marty Maaske, Â worked in a number of shops in both the United States and Europe before bringing his wealth of experience and talent to his own shop. Â He is an exceptional artist, dedicated to his craft. Â Joining him as body piercer is partner, Melissa Clayton who also trained with the best and offers both knowledge and expertise. Â Besides the extraordinary talent and professionalism, this studio is the cleanest, nicest one I've ever been in. Â Both Marty and Melissa pay careful attention to safety and hygene. Â Although I live in San Francisco, where there are many adequate tattoo shops, this is where I go and it's always worth the trip.
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