Called Dawes this past fall (while considering the purchase of a car that needed a bit of love... more on that later) on recommendations from older posts for "special" East Coast builders. Talked to Peter at nearly 5pm on a Friday, he was more than happy to chew the fat with a complete newbie.
This conversation alone was enough to know I had the right guy on the phone and I will absolutely be headed Dawes' way once further down the rabbit hole