1-big thing: BREAKING IN HARMONICAS

Hello Harp Techs, when the subject of "breaking-in" harmonicas arise, it is usually centered around the playability of the instrument. Most conversations wonder how much easier will note bending be? Important to be certain, but I say there is a greater reason for breaking in a harmonica...

WHY IT MATTERS

A broken in harmonica--specifically the reeds--will change it's tuning. Understanding this phonomenon will give you the opportunity to tune-in the corrections, before you find yourself on the bandstand or studio with out-of-tune harmonicas.

CASE STUDY

So far for my customer, I completed customizing 7 of his original order of 12 HARPSMITH Hohner Crossover Harmonicas. Here was my process;

1. after performing the Reed Plate and Reed Treatments (reed plate slot sizing, reed profiling, gapping) I benchmarked the tuning readings relative to HOHNER's "Modern Marine Band Tuning" recipe (aka Compromised Just Tuning)
2. next I attached a Computer Vacuum (super low CFM for cleaning keyboards) to one of my Sjoeberg Vacuum Tuning Tables. I secure one reed plate at a time onto the table and opened all ten slider valves 100% 
3. I set the timer for 20 minutes and left the room (without earplugs, it is uncomfortably LOUD)
4. after both reed plates have been broken-in, I moved back to my workbench and loaded up the reed plate(s) onto my MasterHarp Tuning Table, then checked the tuning readings against the Peterson iStroboSoft Tuning Application (with Hohner Harmonica Sweetner and Harmonics)

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR GUESS?

Were the broken-in reeds displaying Sharp or Flat readings from my original step #1 benchmark?

Please respond and provide me your reasons for your answer.

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya