A lead includes a ribbon cable comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The ribbon cable has a plurality of conductors disposed within an insulating body and a plurality of electrode apertures selectively disposed along the distal end portion of the insulating body. The ribbon cable further includes a plurality of conductive electrodes, wherein each of the plurality of conductive electrodes is disposed over at least one of the plurality of electrode apertures and in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductors. The lead may optionally include a flexible, flat lead body. A method of making a lead includes the steps of (1) obtaining a ribbon cable comprising a plurality of conductors; (2) selectively removing regions of the insulating body to create a plurality of apertures; and (3) placing a plurality of conductive elements over the plurality of apertures, respectively.