A magnetic head in one embodiment includes a bottom pole; a top pole positioned above a plane extending through the bottom pole and parallel to a plane of deposition of the bottom pole, wherein the top pole is at least partially offset from the bottom pole in a direction parallel to a plane of deposition of the top pole; a first write gap in the top pole; and a first coil for generating a magnetic flux across the first write gap. A method in one embodiment includes forming a bottom pole; forming a top pole above a plane extending through the bottom pole and parallel to a plane of deposition of the bottom pole, wherein the top pole is at least partially offset from the bottom pole in a direction parallel to a plane of deposition of the top pole, wherein at least one write gap is formed in the top pole; forming side poles for coupling the top and bottom poles; and forming a first coil for generating a magnetic flux across the first write gap.