Miniskirt tape head having quasi-statically tilted transducer arrays

An apparatus, comprising:

• a magnetic head, the magnetic head having:
• a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion together providing a tape bearing surface;
• wherein the tape bearing surface has a generally arcuate cross sectional profile,
• wherein the first portion has an opening at least partially encircling the second portion,
• wherein the first portion has two pieces, at least one of the pieces having a generally C-shaped profile along the tape bearing surface thereof,
• the second portion having at least one array of transducers;
• wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the at least one array is defined between opposite ends thereof,
• wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the at least one array of transducers is oriented at an angle relative to a line oriented orthogonal to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, the angle being between 0.2° and about 10°;
• a mechanism for orienting the second portion to control a transducer pitch presented to a tape;
• a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the magnetic head;
• and
• a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.