Does anyone know... If I buy a Bridge Hi Gain from Ric, will it pretty much be the same as the bridge Hi Gain that came in my 1997 4003? What I mean is, are they pretty much wound the same etc.

The Hi Gain in my 1997 4003 is so good, I am think of replacing the horseshoe in my C64S (cap removed) because it's too hot/loud and really clips/distorts in comparison, I've heard people say the same about the V63 horseshoes, just doesn't have the sweetness/refinement of my 1997 4003 bridge Hi Gain.

I put a high gain in my c64s back in 06 and put in the push/pull pot and it sounds fantastic. Now the high gain I got does not have the adjustable pole pieces, must've been old stock. Throw some flats on it, roll back in the treble volume and you have that mid 60's Macca sound

I bought a V63 horseshoe back in the '90's for my '75 4001 from Ric and its extremely hot @15.4k. just a bit to much for me

You can always lower the pickup to get a little more space from the strings. That will lower the relative output.