There's a lot to unpack here.
Originally Posted by
Bad Lag
Title says it all but maybe I should add, that are top quality and don't cost a kidney.
Top quality in anything usually costs a kidney. Nobody is making production lugged steel frames that I'm aware of that would keep costs down, so each lugged steel frame is essentially made to order.
If you take out the lugged part though, there are a lot more options for tig welded steel frames.
Originally Posted by
Bad Lag
What is the tubing set to buy; is it still 531 or has it morphed to 753 or...?
531 and 753 aren't really available anymore, unless you happen to work for Raleigh. There are still plenty of Reynolds tube sets available:
https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/m...l/s-953-steel/
Columbus tubing is still available and Tange gets a fair bit of use, too.
Originally Posted by
Bad Lag
Is it more just practical to buy C&V frames? Practical - cost is low and and benefit is high.
Probably. Depends what your desired outcome is. If you want a lugged steel frame with a modern groupset, a vintage frame may not be compatible.
A lot of the high end Italian framebuilders still offer lugged still frames, but cheap they aren't.