I have had a custom built uke since 1997 that I never really bonded with in part due to intonation. It is off enough to make it untunable, 7-8 cents sharp at the fifth fret on the E string for example. I got around that by making a zero fret out a spare piece of saddle but that cramped the first fret and wasn't very attractive. So having read here many times about setting up a uke I decided to give it a go. First thing I noticed was the action is way too high so I started by sanding down the saddle. Trouble is, that didn't really make much difference and I'm just about to the top of the slot. So as an experiment I tuned it up without the saddle (see pic) and viola the action is great and the intonation within tolerance. So now what? Even if I file the saddle down to just above the bridge won't I be moving the contact point back again and throwing it out of tune? I'm assuming the string length now is between the nut and the front of the bridge but even the front of the slot would be shorter then with the saddle in. I don't want to move the bridge so what other options do I have? This is my first attempt at a setup, thankfully all my other ukes (or the ones I care about anyway) are setup nicely and I hope I'm not in over my head
John
John