[Stratrat]

I agree 100% with Karcey. The whammy bar is unneeded for a beginner, and also makes tuning the guitar (and changing strings) much more difficult.

Fender has guitar setup guides on their website (in the "support" section) that can help you set your guitar up yourself - but if you're not comfortable with attempting it, take it to a shop and have a setup done.....and have them block the trem bar while you're at it. Once you get more comfortable with the guitar and get the basics down pat, you'll be more able to deal with the headaches a whammy bar brings.