You should support the locals, up here in the Northwest. Then you can get a custom frame and know the builder.

Personally, I think Erickson carves some very sexy lugs on his builds:
http://www.sandsmachine.com/bp_erick.htm
http://www.bicycletrader.com/archive...ticles.html#03
http://www.ericksoncycles.com/

In Oregon, you could talk to Jeff Lyon. He builds a solid, sexy bike, and is inexpensive:
http://www.lyonsport.com/

Rivendell makes a nice bike:
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/