a magnetoresistive sensing element used for sensing magnetic transitions includes relatively thick shields and substantially thinner shields between the thick shields and the mr element . the output pulse waveform resulting from the mr element sensing a magnetic transition is improved permitting a higher linear density . the thick shields can comprise the legs of an inductive write transducer with the thin shields and mr element interposed for the read function . another read / write head embodiment can include a separate write tranducer with the thin shields and the mr element placed between one of the legs of a write transducer and a third magnetic shield formed from either a thick magnetic layer or a magnetic substrate .