You could remove the backsplash to cut it down, but you might end up breaking it. We had a 4" backsplash in our old kitchen and removed it. Most pieces came out without breaking, but one didn't, even though I was being really careful.

So, totally removing the backsplash is not an option? Won't tiles be thick enough to cover any gap between the counters and the wall?

Nope, not an option:( The granite was mis-measured and they put a one inch piece on the main counter by the wall and covered it with the backsplash. It is not between cabinets, so I can't float the wall, plus one inch would have been too much even if I could have. Will the look of 1.5 vs 4 inch be worth the money/effort.

I'm not sure about the look of that. We took down our 4" granite backsplash as we wanted to tile and not have it broken up with different materials.

You could possibly build out the lower section with tile backer board. Then tile the whole backsplash. You would give you a small ledge over the built up portion. It might make for a unique design feature.

Here is a backsplash ledge that I found in a Google search. That is likely far wider than you'd want to go.
{{!gwi}}

If the issue is localized, maybe just build out a section. Here, they made a nice recessed area. Instead of recessing, you are building up the surrounding area. You could put something in the middle like a chalkboard, wall medallion, mount a flat panel TV, etc.

it might be less expensive to just have them re-cut new backsplash fresh than to pay for all of that labor in the field (careful removal where it might break anyway and then cutting under non-ideal conditions). And if you are going to do that, you might want to select something that coordinates with your tile backsplash if you can find it, rather than matches your countertops. You could even bevel or cove it or something to soften the transition although I would guess that would make it far more likely to break in transit and be far more expensive... but it would be kind of a neat detail.

I took a ride today and went to a Home Depot and Lowes (we don't have them nearby) and saw three kitchens that had a one inch "lip" from the countertop and then tiles on the backsplash. One of the three had a molded design that matched the composite material that transitioned the two. It was only an inch and it looked very nice. I am going to call a fabricator tomorrow and see what they can do for me. As I have been reading more, it seems many people have removed the 4 inch splash uneventfully, which is a good thing. I will have to weigh options and costs, but think it could look much better than tiling above it. Since the granite is thicker than the composite material, I would probably go 1.5 inches. It was nice to see it in person and know that it would look good if it was financially feasible.

Here's what a short one between 1.5"-2" looks like.
This was soapstone, and the runs are short so it was probably easier to fabricate than granite. I like to do it this way because is creates a cleaner seam at the transition between horizontal and vertical, in my opinion. (also the wall in this 170 y.o. house was incredibly bowed so it helped with that.(It's back painted glass above)

Palimpsest, thanks so much for posting the picture. I think that looks lovely and is so smart in terms of clean-up. I do have to admit I have liked having that splash when pasta water has overflowed behind the stove and onto the counter. Do you mind measuring your backsplash, is it 1.5 or 2 inch?

I don't live there any more.

It was whatever height corresponded with the black vent that stuck up on the back of the range. I know it was under 2 full inches, but I am not sure by how much.