Abstract: A magnetic write head configured for high data rate operation has first and second pole pieces, a write gap formed between the first and second pole pieces, and at least one long and narrow magnetic column extending between the first and second pole pieces which is magnetically in parallel with the write gap. The magnetic column serves as a low frequency attenuator in the magnetic write head as it shunts magnetic flux excess away from the write gap at low frequencies. Thus, the magnetic write head is configured to write data at a high data rate where a sufficient magnetic flux is produced at the write gap, and configured to write data at a low data rate where the at least one magnetic shunting element shunts magnetic flux excess so that a reduced magnetic flux is produced at the write gap. This reduced low frequency or DC magnetic flux does not exceed the maximum flux level beyond which excessive side-writing and adjacent track interference (ATI) would otherwise begin to occur.