Well I don't know about that. . .
I'd say Richard Sachs for best lugged frame
(although a good deal more than $1200).

Check out Vanilla bikes (not sure of web site)
they are fairly new but very nice frames and not
extremely expensive.
Richard Moon, J.P. Weigle, and Heron also produce
lugged custom fit bikes.
Here's a kicker, you can get a custom fit
TIG'd Eisentraut for 1350, 1800 for either fillet brazed
or lugged.
If there is a grandaddy of modern US framebuilders
Albert is unquestionably it.

Marty