An example embodiment provides for an apparatus and method, for use in a
tape drive system, that supplies tape azimuth error information
transduced from servo read elements that are located on differing bumps
of a magnetic read/write head. Non-azimuth error information is also
transduced from servo read elements located on a read bump. The azimuth
error and non-azimuth are utilized to correctly place the magnetic head
at a currently selected track of the tape for which data is being
written. In one implementation, the servo read elements utilized for
transducing the azimuth information are substantially aligned with each
other relative to a tape path and disposed on separate bumps. In another
implementation, the servo read elements utilized for transducing the
azimuth information are not substantially aligned with each other and are
disposed diagonally on opposite bumps.