A tape drive apparatus is provided with a base plate and tape path components on this base plate. The apparatus includes a bracket that is adjustably coupled to the base plate, the path components carrying a magnetic head for reading and writing to a tape transported by the path components. Pre-loaded jackscrews of the adjustment couplings are rotated to adjust and lock the azimuth and zenith settings for the magnetic head. A separate penetration screw independently controls the penetration of the magnetic tape.