His place is cleaned and inspected every year and he is the only tattoo artist that I will go to. I've been going to him for over 35 years excellent service beautiful artwork and I love the tattoo conventions that we go to Read Less

Dave touched up and added to my only tattoo today and he is awesome! Great guy, great prices, and beautiful work. I wish I would've gone to him from the beginning! He is very sanitary, and made me feel very comfortable. If i decide to get another tattoo I will definitely be going back to Dave! Read Less

I just left his shop, and I cannot be anymore happier than now! Dave does such a great job on my cover up, that you would not be able to tell because he did such a great job! Then to boot, the price was so good too! I am bringing all my buisness to him! I can honestly say that you will be more than happy with his work! A million thank yous are in order! Dave, you rick man! Read Less

Dave is an awesome guy. I recommend him for 3 main reasons. 1. He is such a great person. 2. He is very reasonably priced, and 3. He does AMAZING work. I've had some bad tattoo artists, and Dave has fixed all of it. Go to this guy! He deserves your business! Read Less

dave is awesome and does great work. ** cash only and needs you to bring the print out. he's super old school, no computer or anything. he knows his stuff. he has some sass that you need to get past but he has great prices and is definitely worth going to. call beforehand to see if he's busy or there but he definitely takes drop ins Read Less

I had a tattoo done by some fool who didn't know what he was doing, it turned out hideous! I went to Dave and he fixed it in less than 30 minutes and it turned out BEAUUUUUTIFUL!! He does absolutely wonderful work! While I was there a few people walked in, sounded like they have been his clients for years. This one guy had many tattoos and he told me that he had been going to Dave's for over 20 years. He had a portrait of his daughter done and it was beautiful, very well done. His prices are the best in town! I'm definitely going back! He is an artist in every sense of the word. Thanks for fixing my tattoo Dave! Read Less

Dave did my first tattoo 25 years ago. It still looks great. He has since done six more for me. A kind man who will tell you straight up what will work and what won't. He takes great pride in his work. Not flashy inside, but there's no attitude or hipster bullshit. Go see Dave! The picture is of a 25 year old piece. Simple (I was young!), but the color and outlines are still great. Read Less

Dave did my last two pieces.  His is not your conventional shop where you can go in and hand over $50 to get a shoddy piece of work drilled into your skin.  A one man operation that accepts clients by appointments only, you will meet him first for consultation.  If it is decided between you and Dave that you will do business together, you can then consult over the art you have in mind.  Another appointment will be set (mine took about a week, each) so that he can draw up your piece for your review.  His prices are extremely reasonable and his work superior.  I have referred friends and family to him and they've all been very happy with his service.  Plan to tip him well, he's that good. Read Less

So, I have several tatoos, one side piece and we are planning the rest of my back. have known Dave for over 20 years, and I will say that his work is unbelievable. Of course if you are drunk he will not work on you. He is a professional and known well in the community. If you take care of your work and you aren't a pill head or druggie then you should keep your ink nice for a long time. He is always respectful with ladies, and men too and all I can say is get past the area, and go put a deposit down. Do not ask for deals, as he is giving you a deal. If I could afford him, I would relocate him.. He is just awesome :) Read Less

I believe that Dave is one of the best tattoo artist around in the Sacramento area. I love his art work and every thing about him. When it comes to cover ups, he is the best !!!!!!!! he knows what he is doing and teaches people how to take care of their tattoo's and no one can meet his standards. It took me a year to talk him into the tattoo that I wanted but, after it was done he was proud of it too. He did excellent work and if I can't find a tattoo artist here in Illinois then I will fly back to Sacramento and get more tattoo's. He is the only one that I have let touch my body with a tattoo gun. Dave has done tattoo's over 30 years and his work shows the talent that he has. You know that I will be returning to Sacramento just to see him again and to get more work by this man that I am very proud to know and stand behind his tattoo's. I would not go back there to Sacramento without stopping in to see him. I love his art work and most people feel the same way that I do. Read Less

I went to Daves Custom Tattoos becuase I heard nothing but good things about him. Considering the fact that my brother and sister in law have Tattoos all over there bodies and the work being done by someone else, which was also awesome, I decided to go with my gut instinct, and sit in daves chair. Glad I did. He made the process as painless as possible. When I was at my consultation I really had no idea what I wanted as far as tattoo but did bring in a few ideas, that would cover my old tattoo of ten years that I had done by a friend ten years ago that looked absolutely horrid. Dave let me pay in advance for my tattoo, and told me he would come up with some ideas, and get back to me. About 9 days later he got back to me and said he had a pretty good drawing for me, I scheduled to meet with him that following tuesday. I went there and seen what his amazing and talented mind had come up with, and was breathtaken for a moment. It was exactly what I wanted but also had a modified and custom tweak on it which is totally me. Im new to the body art technique, but I can honestly say, I will go back to Tattoo Dave again. His artwork is timeless, and you really get what you want. He was worth the wait, and worth every penny. Im glad that my old tattoo has been covered, you cant even tell there is a tattoo underneath his timeless peace he applied to my arm. He has a sense of humor that makes you feel comfortable and welcome as soon as you sit down. If for any reason you hesistate to go and see him, you really shouldnt. you will be satisfied, he strives to make each client happy, and its obvious that is his goal. Hes very talented, and im very glad I went to him. So Thanks Tattoo Dave, thanks for making my professional tattoo experience, a very good one. I hope to see you very soon. Keep Rockin, Amy Read Less

I was researching for my next tattoo and didn't really know who I should go to. My younger brother happened to drop by my house that day and saw a printout of my tattoo. He started telling me about his friends tattoo which was done by Dave. Lets just say that I completely love my tattoo! He did an amazing job on it and I am ready to take my next tattoo back to Dave. Read Less

I'm a bit of a ""newbie"" to the body-art lifestyle (I've only gotten one tat and my nipples pierced so far - all done by Dave... have plans for MANY MANY more tats by Dave), but when I decided on getting a tattoo, I knew I wanted to feel confident in my artist. Every shop I went to was quoting me REDICULOUS prices for the original artwork I wanted to get done. Dave gave me a very fair price, and within minutes after meeting him, I was confident and ready for my tat. For my first experience, it was AMAZING. Dave is very personable, very professional and he's great at putting you at ease in his shop. I am really disgusted by the negative comments left about Dave when it comes to piercing. I had both of my nipples pierced by Dave... and here's a little insight as to how GOOD he is with body piercings: I'd never gotten pierced before, and didn't realize that after the needle goes through, the piercing still needs to be looped in... I started joking with my Mom right after the actual piercing, and the needle came out with the jewelry only halfway through! COMPLETELY MY FAULT. Dave was still able to save the piercing, ensured that they were even (and for a woman with larger breasts, that is VERY important and more difficult than you might imagine... especially because I had inverted nipples).. AND they never got infected. Dave makes sure to tell you exactly how to care for your body art, and if you follow his instructions, you will end up with exactly what you wanted. Please remember - the artist can only do so much to ensure that your artwork remains healthy and beautiful. It is up to you, and the aftercare you follow through with, to ensure your piercings, tats do not get infected or scraped. Thanks Dave! I'm so glad I found a reliable artist in Sacramento that still has business and artistic ethics. By the way... Dave knows what he's doing, he knows what will look good, and he will tell you if you're about to make a mistake... he may even refuse to put something on you! Read Less

I have had 8 artists work on me and I have to say, not one of them comes close to Dave's work. Dave has done 4 pieces for me so far and one was of a famous painting. The work was done so well it looks, identical to the original. He is a true artist and he knows his craft better than anyone. I have gone to a few local ""famous"" artists around the Sacramento area and I have not been nearly as impressed by any of them as I have with Dave and his work. They don't touch his work! Don't get something you'll regret, go see Dave and he will take good care of you. Dave, YOU ROCK! Read Less

i got my tat from dave over 10 yrs ago and he is the best. He even finished the tat and let me pay the other half at a later date. my work is the best i have ever seen and all my freids and family go there. Years ago i tried to get a touch up done and i was living out of town. Not only did all the other shops i went to know of dave but they wouldn't even touch his work from fear of bringing down the quality. The message up above about dave not being good at piiercing is pure bullsh*t. i had my tounge pierced by dave and everything went smooth and painless. what people need to understand about dave is he is a artist in every manner of the word. He has shown me leather clothing he has made from old boots and perses girls have brought him in trade for tats. He is freindly and always willing to work with you. I will never go anywhere else but dave with the exception of wild bill and even dave will admit that bill is good, just way to pricy. whereas dave gives you quality at a resonable price Read Less

I have had alot of work done by Dave, he even went over a few of my tatts including a portrait I have, he said they looked like they were a couple of years old but the were only a few months old, the work turned out awesome! He also took a picture that I drew of Mickeymouse, (and let me tell you I'm not artist) he re drew it up then did my tattoo, well worth the wait. I have sent numerous people to Dave and will continue to do so! I am going back to Dave to have the portraits of parents done, I would not go to any other Artist for portraits. His work is Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read Less

I NEVER EVER wanted a tatt until I saw the cover up Dave did to a couple of my sisters tatts. I made an appointment right away and figured if I'm ever going to get one, it has to be by Dave. I can't WAIT till he does my next. Love ya Dave!!! Read Less

I'm in the process of getting my first real big tattoo done. I have 3 other small ones, but this is the ""go big or go home"" one. Dave has been the best artist I have ever dealt with. I came in with some pictures and a slight idea of what I wanted. Between questions and his experience he was able to draw me up an amazing piece for my shoulder. I am about 5 hours into the piece and have another 1-2 more to go. Each sitting have been great times. He is very fast and knows when you need a break or are ""done"". Just sitting and talking with Dave, you realize not only how much he loves what he does, but also he cares for the outcome and what is become of his profession of choice. Dave sticks to his rules that he has posted on the windows, walls, etc and will tell you up front if what you want is a bad idea, however, anything he comes up with will be beyond your expectations. I plan on getting many more tattoos and Dave will be doing each one of them from now on. I don't see any reason to ever go to anyone else. Read Less