If it helps/matters, the date on the inside is August 18, 1966. It is an aluminum drum.

Your drum is an acrolite,the strainer is a P83 Here look at this link. http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_snaredrums/1966_LUDWIG_SNARES1.jpg

the arm itself on the strainer appears to be bent. that may be making contact with the bead. you could buy another p83,p85(cheaper) or a p86 to go on there. might be able to remove that strainer and straighten the arm as well. good luck...

mike

Appears to be something odd really sticking out behind the middle pivot of the strainer. You can either look for a vintage P-83 or purchase a new P-85, which are not that expensive. These older P-83 strainers, and matching butt, stuck out from the shell only about 1/2". Sometime in the late 70's, this distance was increased to 7/8", including the butt. I've found that the extra distance pulls the snare string, or tape, at a much better angle. I'd give a new P-85 a try!

I see the following:

Bent arm, tension adjustment screw is not correct or has been modified, and a non-original nut appears to have been added to hold the arm in place at the pivot point which is causing interference with the bead in the shell.

My recommendations:

You can simply replace the p83 (not cheap), pop in a p85 (not original) or, you can get a p85 and use the parts to fix your p83. First order of business would be to take the p83 apart (not too difficult) and see what the issues are. The arm can be tapped back into shape with a hammer and a small anvil (I've repaired a good number of p83's). If you take it apart, snap some pics and post them here. We'll be able to better diagnose the problem better that way.

You need a new P-83. Period. Too many problems/things wrong with the one on the drum to even bother with. Simpler to replace it. The drum will work the way it's supposed to and you get to enjoy it.

John