Some tattoo shops may be bigger. Some may be fancier. Some may get more attention from celebrity clientele. But when you're looking for a clean, relaxed spot to permanently ink your body, done by artists who will not only listen to what you want but also advise you about size, placement, shading and design, American Electric in Silver Lake is your top choice. At American, which is owned by badass chap Craig Jackman, funny repartee abounds between clients and artists, and cool music is always playing in the background. It's exactly the kind of atmosphere you want when you're getting a needle dug into your skin for a few painful hours. All of the shop's artists are super-skilled, pretty quick and seem to have a knack for reading what you want out of the experience. Plus, the prices are extremely fair, especially for a shop so well known (it was on the last season of L.A. Ink, as a sort of no-bullshit antithesis to the show's circuslike focus). 3532 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 90026. (323) 664-6530, americanelectrictattoo.com. —Lina Lecaro

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