Current steel framebuilders?

I would recommend a proper bike fit first to avoid and expensive repeat of the issues with your mercian.
The bike whisperer is the best in game and forum member too.
Rourke are also well known for fit, but mainly specialise in tig welded reynolds frames.
Think about tubing too the frame builder will help here, and method of construction preferred lugged,tiged or fillet brazed. Strength wise they are allegedly pretty similar.
I would go for the new stainless steels available xcr or 953/931 they are very light and durable and last a lifetime and some, slightly more cash tho, they are the stiffest of steel and some builders find them too hard on there equipment and don't build with them.
That said most people don't require a bespoke frame by necessity and an off the peg will be fine with a good fitting.
But that's not fun, money is for spending.

That's the one.

If only I could get one built for £500 rather than £1000, I just need a bike that fits, with a few braze-ons. Most of the customs you see are too stealable. Rohloff? GTFO.

(How's the Mercian too small, not obvious from that picture?)

Just what I was thinking: there does not seem an excess of seat post or quill stem showing vertically, so surely that just leaves top tube length as a possible issue, how long is the stem?

Where are you based?
Find a reputable frame builder in your area, find who they use for fitting, give em a bell, ask if they could do you a bike fit on your existing mercian. I know Rourke do this. That is way too nice a bike to give up on and as stated by others, doesn't appear to be at the extremes of fit.

Dmenor is your man tig welded messenger approved

Has this been resolved yet...

Dave Yates is still building - he's not fully retired, just slowing down a bit. I was quoted a 3 month lead time for a frame.

Ted James made some touring/audax type frames for Skiiny Eric's in Hackney. They were well nice, as is all the Ted James stuff. A mix of Columbus tubing. They might have some left.

Chickens Frame Emporium looks cool and nicely priced. But how can you take a modern framebuilder seriously who isn't on the 'gram...?

But how can you take a modern framebuilder seriously who isn't on the 'gram...?

And how do you judge if a builder is shit but great at 'gram?
#GloriousCC

I thought the only reason to get a custom frame was so you can get a massive headtube, slam 'dat stem, and look rad on the 'gram.
#gramgoals #spacergoals

amen

Close ups. It's all in the finishing and tidying of lugs/ braze ons and fillets

how does someone with no experience to judge can tell this?

Ha, just seen this.

Missed it, as I have been away, building a frame.
In response to the OP, if you want a traditional frame built to the highest possible standards, don't piss about, go here:

http://www.geoffrobertsframes.co.uk/

The bike looks well proportioned in the photo but in the years since I've had it the saddle has crept higher and higher. I have to jack it up to get a reasonable extension of my legs, but then the drop to the bars is too much. It's fine for bombing round town but noticeable when I'm in the saddle all day. Actually, scratch that, it annoys me all the time now.

Thanks for the suggestion and input everyone, much appreciated as always. My priority at the moment is to decide on someone and get on their waiting list, then figure out all the specifics when I have more time.

I think I would arrange a bike fit and take my bike along as is, to understand what exactly the problem is and also get some ideal dimensions.

I also find it has quite a short wheelbase. I dunno. Would gladly get something off the peg but again, I don't know where to look these days! There seem to be so many options now.

I'd recommend starting with a trip to see @scherrit.

Has this been resolved yet?

Woodrup Cycles of Leeds specialise in this type of frame. Kevin Sayles work is really fantastic.

Here is a 2 part video of a school that runs a framebuilding course as a part of design and technology class. I wish this was around when I was at school.
I think the teacher is they guy behind Moss bikes. As the final frame was branded as such.
The interesting bit is that the school had a 3d printer so that bespoke prototype lugs could be printed and sent of for casting.
Anyone know a frame builder that does this? Tom at demon cuts his own bespoke lugs by hand.
https://youtu.be/sumJ6iTH_mY

Anyone know where I could get some bespoke lugs made? Even if it just head lugs. In the same manner the school kids did.

There is on here a thread some framebuilders use, no doubt some have their own forum out there. I gather Ted James does some specialist machining of tubing parts for others to build with - he might know who could help you if he himself can't do it.