Abstract: A head-gimbal assembly supports a transducer proximate a magnetic surface for magnetic recording. This assembly comprises a flexure used in conjunction with a slider having a recess of sufficient depth provided in its top surface such that when a flexure member is set in the recess, and the member is attached during the HGA assembly process, the top of the flexure is flush with or is below the top surface of the slider. The gimbal component of the flexure is further provided with lateral alignment tab(s) to contact an interior wall of the recess, thereby providing alignment of the slider to the gimbal in the lateral direction, and longitudinal alignment tabs to contact the trailing surface of the slider, thereby providing alignment in the longitudinal direction. The slider is further provided with an identifying code on a non-recessed portion of the top surface of the slider such that the code is not obstructed by the flexure in the top plan view.