Can a saddle compensate the G string?

[grains]

I'm looking at buying a vintage guitar and the seller says the B string is slightly sharp and the G is slightly flat but that it can be fixed with a compensated saddle.
I always see the B string compensated but never the G string.

So can a compensated saddle fix this?

[rick-slo]

You could get that, or do it yourself. Not usually needed though. The amount of compensation for each string varies with the string gauge. Before modifying any thing I would check the intonation with new strings of the string gauges I like.

[John Arnold]

Compensation works both ways. If a strng intonates flat, the fix is to move the contact point toward the nut, shortening the string.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Compensation works both ways. If a strng intonates flat, the fix is to move the contact point toward the nut, shortening the string.

Exactly.
Dan Erlewine puts it simply in his book 'Guitar Player Repair Guide'.

If the string notes SHARP, move the saddle BACK to INCREASE string length.

If the string notes FLAT, move the saddle FORWARD to DECREASE string length.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by grains

So can a compensated saddle fix this?

Hi ‘g’…

I have had all my guitars saddles built (from scratch) and compensated by my luthier. It's ALWAYS on my list of set-up tasks when I buy a guitar. And compensating is tied to the height of your action...which is why generic compensated saddles produce better-but-not-best results.