Serpentine resistive shunt for MR heads having conductive shields

A read element for a tape drive system is disclosed. The read element generally comprises a magneto-resistive sensor electrically coupled to first and second leads and at least one electrically conductive magnetic shield proximate the magneto-resistive element. A resistor is electrically connected to the conductive magnetic shield and to one or more of the first and second leads. The resistor is disposed between the first and second leads. The resistor continuously discharges electric charge that builds up on the conductive magnetic shield. The resistor typically has a resistance that is large enough to protect against noise due electrical shorting of the conductive magnetic shield and small enough to prevent a build-up of electric charge on the shield.