ItemSet 318619
This set seems to be as close to ideal as I'm willing to tune for.
Damage on a moderate target (probably stronger than salvage gears) and solo buffs/debuffs with this set:
Buffs/Debuffs
Smouldering Salisbury Steak
N. Meditation
Dia II
Frightful Roar/Benthic Typhoon
Target
550DEF
100VIT
Player
232STR
1329 / 1259 attack (capped ratio with both hands)
Avg Circle Blade: 1402.57
Not sure how 2k would ever be reachable regularly. This is the strongest gear you can use for this WS, and BRD songs wouldn't help much since ratio is capped already. Unsure how your friend was doing 2k unless he got loads of multiattack procs or is fabricating things a bit.
At any rate, can do this entirely with gear that you'd be carrying anyway; just substitute elemental gorget for Asperity Necklace if you don't normally carry one that's aligned to Circle Blade (Thunder, Aqua) and you lose only about 30 or so avg damage.
p.s. never thought I'd actually be doing math centered around motha ***
Circle Blade!