I've wondered that too, and perhaps some of the pull-up experts here (paging Cooter!) could give their opinion. I know that in general for me with other lifts, doing fewer reps at a higher weight doesn't let me automatically add reps at lower weights. If I wanted to do, say, high-rep squats, I'd have to specifically work around the desired rep range.
My plan at this time is to progress through hand position. When I can regularly get 8 chin-ups, I'll switch to neutral grip pull-ups until I can do 8, and then prone pull-ups. I may change my plan, depending on what I learn along the way.
Also, another member of married GAF who takes off the ring when exercising.