Strings By Mail Nail File and Micromesh Buff Kit with 3.5 inch File
[NFKIT 3]

Love this kit. It's all you need to maintain your nails and achieve the best tone possible.

I start with the glass file which is excellent, and the 3.5 inch size is perfectly sufficient. The file is good for shaping and removing large material and getting it initially smooth. The file alone isn't enough however. What's great is this supposedly won't need any replacing down the road.

Then I go through each level of the micromesh paper at the angle my fingers touch the strings using the foam block. I only spend a few seconds on each paper for each nail. Once you reach the final stage, the edge of the nail should have a polished shine and should feel silky smooth. I'd imagine these papers will last a long time, thus making them quite cheap to replace.

The tone I can now achieve is outstanding. Instead of the strings sounding a bit harsh or metallic, the trebles especially become more rounded, warm and pleasing to the ears. Of course this doesn't replace good technique.

Bottom line: Excellent, affordable solution and a necessity rather than a luxury when it comes to playing the classical guitar.