A magnetoresistive read sensor has amagnetoresistive element, first and second bias elements, first and second current guides, and first and second overlaid leads. The magnetoresistive element has a center region and end regions separated by the center region. The first and second bias elements are positioned on the end regions of the magnetoresistive element. The first and second current guides are positioned on respective first and second bias elements. Each of the first and second current guides extends a guide overlay distance onto the center region of magnetoresistive element. The first and second overlaid leads are positioned on respective first and second current guides. Each of the first and second overlaid leads extends a lead-insulator offset distance onto the center region of the magnetoresistive element. The first and second overlaid leads are separated by a lead separation distance.