4k will get you a frame, fork and headset in anything but the most exotic construction methods

Steel? Yep.
Scandium? Yep.
Ti? Almost. F,F & HS about 4200.
953? Yep.

I agree with you Odin. I can't tell the difference between carbon seatstays and Aluminium ones, I think they're pretty much a waste of time. The best thing about them though is that they save about 100g, and you only have to do one weld instead of 6, plus you can charge more for doing less work!