I will look for someplace other than the Guitar Center; do they often do a poor job? Leveling frets and reducing the saddle and/or nut height does not seem too complicated a job. I have done the saddle and nut on some vintage guitars over the years and it was not that hard. That is, if the saddle and nut cooperate and come off
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Common wisdom here on UU has been that GC is either inept or apathetic for most things ukulele, and therefore should be avoided unless they have a 'specialist' guitar tech at your local store that has a reputation and experience for doing good work with ukuleles.
Otherwise taking an expensive or vintage uke there is like actually ASKING them to damage it due to lack of skill, carelessness, or ignorance.
I have done setups on ALL my ukes that needed it myself. High action is common since it's considered easier and better to sand the bottom of the saddle to lower the action, as opposed to having to use shims underneath the saddle to raise the action if it is too low.
To this day MOST factory ukes come with taller action, and the common thinking is that this is done specifically to enable to action to be adjusted down more easily.
Sometimes you get lucky and the uke is just right 'out of the box' and other times it needs to be altered specifically to
YOUR playing style and comfort level, which is likely a bit different from everyone else.
Taking the action down is really nothing to complain about - that's like getting into a new car and not adjusting the seat and mirrors, and suffering with a physically uncomfortable and maybe even dangerous experience, i.e., OF COURSE you will adjust the car to suit you--- instruments are the same.
Accepting that you have to play an instrument that is not set up comfortably is a self-inflicted experience, especially when it is so easy to remedy.
All you need to take down the height of a nut or saddle is some sandpaper, and lots and lots of patience, it's not complicated, but slow going if you are going to to it right the first time.
There are TONS of videos on YouTube that can guide you, all though mostly for guitar, but the process, technique and result are nearly the same.
However, some folks are afraid of these kinds of things, and for that you might want to seek out a luthier or guitar tech that is known for deftly handling ukulele setups -- many folks on this forum can help if you share your location.
Either way, please report back how you make out, and CONGRATS on the new acquisition! :music:
