Inner groove damage on used records - more common in the left channel?

I notice on a number of used albums and 45's, inner groove crackle is more prevalent in the left channel than the right. Is there are reason for this? I do not think it is my setup, as most of my records track good, in both channels.

 

I would guess use of old heavy arms with no bias compensation.

 

I've actually noticed the opposite with a copy of a mono UK Revolver I used to have. The right channel had all of the distortion but when I turned the balance all of the way to the left it sounded fine.

 

I don't think there's a favoring of one side of a groove over the other in normal wear or damage. However, if a stylus itself gets chipped then anything is fair game. If you have a reasonable system you notice this straight away, but back in the 60's or 70's who could tell. Or care much.

 

From what I remember, the left channel is the inner portion of the vinyl groove wall. If the previous owner of the album did not have his tt properly set-up, it would cause irreparable damage to the record.

 

I think you're correct. That's what I'm finding, particularly on old 45's (oops, I mean 45s). On some, the right channel sounds pristine whilst the left is all crackly. The previous owners most likely didn't know about or care about anti-skate and probably had a too-high tracking force which put too much pressure on the inner part of the groove (left channel).

 

The right channel is the one that normally seems problematic to me.

 

That has been my experience as well.