I drove nine hours from Indiana to be tattooed by Rodney Raines. That alone should tell you that this shop has a reputation for being one of the best in the business. It is as clean as a doctor's office and like someone else said, these guys are not divas. They're funny, smart and above all, talented at their craft. Rodney reworked and colored in my koi half-sleeve over a period of six hours and never ran out of patience or things to talk about and one of the other guys, who doesn't drink, gave my boyfriend a six-pack of craft beer.
I don't think this place is particularly pricey, but I'm also willing to put a good amount of money down on a work of art, and that's what you'll get at Ace.
Rodney does admit to being slow at getting back to people, but stay persistent. He doesn't get (outwardly!) annoyed and will accommodate you any way he can. While I can't go there every time I want a new tattoo (what with gas prices, travel time and overnight stays), Rodney will be the only one I ever go to for big projects. I can't wait to go back there this winter and get my other sleeve done.