The invention includes a magnetic recording head that has at least one structure or substructure that is made of a semiconductor material that protects the head from damage or destruction arising from stray current flow or unwanted electrostatic discharge during manufacture, assembly or use. The semiconductor material acts as a dissipative pathway to drain unwanted charges from the structure. The invention also includes a magnetic recording head that includes a substrate and a reader portion in the substrate, the substrate comprising a semiconductor material.