Abstract: A magnetic transducer head having, at the face end wall, at least one pair of transducer pole piece portions extending in the direction of movement of the tape and having a gap between them. The pole pieces are tangent, at the gap, to a base plane parallel to the general direction of movement of the tape. In the example illustrated, the pole piece portions are disposed at approximately 13.degree. relative to the base plane so that the spacing between the pole piece portions and the base plane increases with distance from the gap on both the approach to and retreat from the gap. The casing has a tape guide surface which overlies the pole piece portions at the face end wall and determines the angle of approach to and retreat from the pole piece portions. This guide surface is cylindrical in the example illustrated, providing an approximately 7.degree. angle of approach and retreat of the tape relative to the base plane, this being substantially less than the 13.degree.