a method for fabrication of magnetic write heads for disk drives in which a p 1 layer is formed having a p 1 protrusion , the p 1 protrusion having a longitudinal reference axis . a gap layer is deposited on the p 1 protrusion and a layer of fill material is deposited on the gap layer . the fill material layer is shaped to form a mold which surrounds a hollow which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the p 1 protrusion . this hollow in the fill material layer is filled with p 2 pole material to form a p 2 pole which is then automatically substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the p 1 protrusion .