Just running the point of a sharpened pencil through the slots can help.
Yes that is the Clapton method. The simpler and more popular method is to go into the trem spring cavity on the back, make sure you have all five springs on and crank the claw screws until the trem is tight against the body. Many people claim the Clapton wood block method gives better tone but I’d think it would be pretty subtle.
Yes, I’ve done that too.
Thanks for all of the answers. This is – well, too much information. So much to think about.
I’ll get some of the springs and see how they work out. I’m not about to start messing with screws and stuff, but I do have a crappy Squier that I can monkey with. If I kill it, no big loss.
Sorry - we can sometimes over-geek 
Sounds like you have the right idea - mess around with your guinea-pig guitar, go with what works and come back with thoughts and questions as needed…
Yep, that’s me, guitgeek!
I was thinking of learning to play just for my own enjoyment, would this be a good idea? http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123
To be clear: I am an old-school, no-substitute-for-putting-the-practice-time-in, but-make-it-fun-to-keep-you-engaged kinda guy. With that as background - nah, it looks like a terrible idea - it isn’t real and there’s no way it can sound or play like the thing you *want *to be playing. Learning an instrument should involve establishing a feedback loop with your instrument of choice - learning to coax the best sounds out of that instrument is a key part of developing your playing. I don’t see how this proxy thing can help with that.
Now get off my lawn. 
Agreed. No.
If you want to learn how to play the guitar, you’d be best off buying an actual guitar and learning how to play it.
Learn to cook by playing with simulated plastic food. No burnt food because the stove produces no heat!
Thanks guys for the imput, with that in mind what should i be looking for when shopping for a budget guitar?
What type of music do you want to be playing? And are you thinking acoustic or electric guitar?
It kinda doesn’t matter - the bottom line is to fine a reputable brand and a model that is as simple as possible (few bells or whistles) that you know (ask the clerks) can be set up easily and hold it’s set up. Set up = neck angle, action (distance of strings above fretboard) and intonation. If the guitar feels good in your hands and it can hold a set up (so it plays easily and sounds good) and you can get it for cheap - go for it. If you truly enjoy guitar you will want a newer, better one within 12 months anyway…
Cheap Taylors, Yamaha’s, Takamine’s and the usual suspects at Guitar Center should be fine…
Once again, WordMan speaks the truth.
When I was at GC the other day, I was thinking about Robot Arm getting a basic setup. You can get a Squier Strat for $119, a little Fender amp for about $75, a cable for about $15, and a pick for $0.50. Just over $200 and you’re off to the races. And if it turns out that you don’t like it, it’s not like you spent all of your rent money or anything.
The Squier does come with a whammy bar, though, and that might not be a great idea.
Thanks again gentlemen, rock and punk are my music of choice.
You want a Telecaster - IMHO. Could be a Squire, per tdn, or a Made in Mexico…
Read these and come on back with questions:
For those anxiously waiting for an update (or even dimly remember), I went shopping with tdn last week and came home with a Mexican standard Stratocaster, midnight wine with maple fretboard. (Looks just like this.)
I’m in a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education. Most everyone else has accoustics, so nobody else can hear a thing that I’m playing. I ordered a little practice amp and small speaker, so that should even the playing field a bit.
I love it so far; just finished practicing for an hour. tdn, next time, dinner’s on me.
Hey, congrats! Happy new guitar!
Hey, congrats! That looks really cool!