I agree with Ratrod fully, you need to do this anyway.
BUT, if you are saying that the signal cuts completely when the string touches the polepiece - then I'm not convinced that's right. I'm also not convinced the problem (if there is one) is outside of the pickup itself.
As far as I'm aware, the polepieces shouldn't be part of the electrical circuit. If a string (which should be earthed, via the bridge assembly usually), just by touching the polepiece, causes the pickup to short out, then I think something's funny.
Conceivably the the other end of the polepiece screw (underside, in the cavity) is somehow touching a bare hot wire from the pickup? Then the string would short the hot wire to ground because it complets a circuit when it touches the top of the polepiece?
Otherwise, I would start thinking there's some kind of short inside the pickup? and therefore you might not be getting it's full glorious tone anyway?
Techies help me out here - I'm making this up as I go along! :roll: I could be completely wrong here (my strings never touch polepieces, maybe it does cut out anyway!)
Failing that I'd suggest emailing Tim and see what he thinks - I'm sure he'd be keen that not only do you get the best out of it, but that you're sure you're getting the best out of it.
Hope that helps.
