Sliding rake technique

[CJK84]

I play fingerstyle using rest strokes. I take advantage of raking whenever I can.

That is, if I pluck the A string with the middle finger, the middle finger comes to a stop - or rest - on the E string. If I pluck the E string next, I'll again use the middle finger since it is already resting on the E.

For consistency of tone, I generally like to pluck each string at a different distance from the bridge. I pluck the G string farthest from the bridge while plucking the E string closest to the bridge.

When raking, therefore, after my plucking finger has come to rest on the lower string, I often quickly slide it toward the bridge before plucking the lower string.

Anyone else employ such a "sliding rake" technique?

[JMX]

Not sliding, I think my tone is consistent enough over all strings.
The raking stuff I do too.

[Adam Barkley]

For regular playing, no

For intricate stuff with a ton of string skipping, yes. That or use my thumb and first finger like fingerpicked guitar.

[CJK84]

Now I'm confused.

I'm trying to get a good fingerstyle rock/blues tone. My goal is to emulate the tone that, for instance, Leon Helmsley achieves on Skynard's popular Gimme Three Steps.

If I pluck each of the four strings at the same spot (the same distance from the bridge), I'm not satisfied with the tones I get from my Peavey Cirrus 4 going thru an Ampeg B100R combo (1 x 15 solid-state).

When I pluck each string at the neck pickup, the A string sounds good, but the E string usually sounds too rounded, while the D, and especially the G sound too thin.

For consistency of tone, I like to pluck the G between the neck pup and fretboard, and pluck increasingly closer to the bridge as I play successively lower strings.

I'm surprised that others like JMX and abark are able to achieve consistent tone without adjusting the horizontal position of their plucking.

I use .50, .65, .85, .105 strings. I use the "big" G string to avoid the relatively thin, guitar-like tone that I dislike.

Perhaps I change strings too seldom. I usually play a set of strings for about 150 hours before changing.

I know that this is pretty abnormal, but I like the tone I get (though I must adjust my plucking position to get it).

Am I doing something wrong?

[Adam Barkley]

I think maybe you are getting too intensive with your methods.

First of all, the Cirrus is a zingy bass, maybe you should experiment with different basses to find your sound. Also, I would cut the highs (if the cab has a tweeter, turn it off) and boost the bass.

Other things to consider are strings. Maybe you could experiment with flatwounds to get a thumpier tone similar to the LS recording.