Ben Bouman joins me on episode 81.Ben is a Dutch blues player who always strives for originality in his playing, partly inspired by his admiration for the playing of Paul deLay. Ben’s current band is The Marble Tones, who took their name from the amplifier company, with Ben helping develop their range of harmonica amps.Ben also helped Seydel prototype their steel reeds before they released them some fifteen years ago, and he tells us all about polishing and profiling steel reeds, his own business selling customised Seydel harmonicas, and how he helped persuade Seydel in moving over to Compromised Just Tuning.The Harpgame Is On! is the name of Ben’s self-produced album and he regularly posts YouTube videos, including his recent tuition videos on different harmonica themes.Links:Ben’s website:https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nlWebshop to buy Ben Bouman custom harmonicas:https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nl/rapidcartpro/index.php?catalog/all/-/date/1Marble amplifiers:https://www.marble-amps.com/Viola Barends:https://www.violaharmonica.com/Seydel festival and harmonica competition:https://www.seydel1847.de/seydelopen-registrationHohner CBH chromatic: https://chromhistory.blog/2019/05/22/cbh-2012-2016/Videos:Paul deLay Harmonica Party:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWepAFBqsN4Marble Tones band videos:https://www.youtube.com/@BluesMoose/search?query=marbletonesBen's Tone in a cup:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463839653Viola Barends harmonica orchestra:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ7sNeZUAAIBen playing Watermelon Man:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnEbikuq7sIBen playing blues chromatic:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNSa7VdKFXwBen gear demo recording, including Pignose amp:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFrUNKpMx8The Monkey Speaks His Mind with The Marble Tones:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d4HbjTn4EIPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS