Need help identifying a Squire HSS Strat Model

[GearGeek01]

Hi folks,

I just saw a Squire HSS Strat at the local pawn shop for $140. Its not the typical Affinity 2-tone burst, it has a really nice finish. It is like new/mint condition and it is an HSS model.

The serial number is:
ICS19385245

I did a lookup (FWIW) on this web site:
https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienummers-squier_eng.php

Which gave me this info:
Serial number: ICS19385245
Production year: 2019 (serial: 385245)
Crafted in Indonesia, by Cor-Tek [Fender Special Run]

Core-Tex (if you didn't know) is "Cort" which is a good thing, Cort makes thousands of guitars and (if I am not mistaken) make the PRS-SE line and the G&L Tribute line among others with different famous names on the headstock.

From the serial number, from what I have learned the "ICS" (as the serial number web site says) is a "Fender Special Run" (an FSR Squier??)

I can send pictures later, I just got home and I'm tempted to pull the trigger but I'd first like to know (if possible) ...is this a "Classic Vibe" Strat, or what in the Squier line is the model name???

One thing I did notice was that the pole piece in the magnets had a radius to them. They weren't staggered like a vintage staggered pup, and they weren't flat across them. The two outside were shorter, the 2nd & 5th string magnets were just a little longer, and the inside 2 magnets were the longest. I haven't seen that done before.

I'll go back and get some pictures but right now I can't find my digital camera, LOL... and the camera on my Cricket Wireless phone is crap...

If you have any ideas of what feature I might spot that could identify the model, please let me know here... or what to look for in a special feature.

Its not a big deal, its a cheap guitar and its gonna need work, but the ICS in the serial number, the radiused pole pieces in the magnets and the top notch not el-cheap-o as usual finish has me wondering.

Thanks

 

[GearGeek01]

One other thing I might mention is the guitar is very much on the light side. I know some Squiers have a basswood body, but just because its light doesn't automatically mean basswood.

I have a 1995 G&L George Fullerton Signature that is ash and weighs 6-1/2 pounds.... (lightest guitar I've ever owned with a gorgeous woody tone, LOL)

 

[Blues Twanger]

It doesn't sound like a CV from your description, to me it sounds like either a Vintage Modified or a Standard series. Special Runs can usually be traced to the store that commissioned them based on features and colors.

Edit: quick googling of FSR HSS Squier shows both Standard and Bullet versions recently.

 

[GearGeek01]

I considered the Bullet but I was thinking the bullet is kind of a stripped down version.

The date according to the serial number is its a 2019 model.

I didn't think of the Vintage Modified series, I forgot about them. Were they still doing the VM series in 2019? They could be what it is...

I'm sort of tight for money right now but its only $140... for $25 bucks down they'll give me a 90 day layaway.

What it has going for it is... its spot-free mint consideration... The 2-tone finish is really beautiful... I've seen other Squiers with a 2-tone and they look kinda lame... its not really a 2-tone, but on those its more of a solid black strips around the outside edge, with no fade into the middle, and its way too light colored in the middle

I haven't seen those single coil pickups on any Fender... they have a radius to the pole pieces... I'm very curious about that because they match the radius of the fretboard and how the bridge saddles should be radiused the same or similar

The cons or down side are... the action is way obviously too high... tells me the person who had it probably never had it set up and probably never played it much (thus, it ended up at a pawn shop...) Nothing a tweak of the action/intonation and/or trussrod can't fix... And the fretboard is really super dry... nothing that can't be massaged a bit

 

[DougM]

That serial number doesn't come up on the Fender website. It's most likely the HSS Strat that came in the pack with a small SS amp. ICS isn't an FSR. Every Squier made in Indonesia by Cort is an ICS. It means Indonesia Cort Squier.

 

[GearGeek01]

Looks like 2019 was a cross-over from from Vintage Modified (some were made in 2019) and the Classic Vibe line which seems to have started or was being made the same year. All I did was do a Reverb search for "2019 Vintage Modified" and it appears that year Fender was doing both.

As far as the FSR, we have 2 x Guitar Centers, 1 x Sam Ash, and a George's Music all here in Jacksonville, FL (I am assuming this FSR was ordered by one of those chain stores...)

Not sure if there is enough info anywhere that could tell from what store by the serial number...

 

[GearGeek01]

That serial number doesn't come up on the Fender website. It's most likely the HSS Strat that came in the pack with a small SS amp.

But the "ICS" part of the serial number means it is a "Fender Special Run" and I don't think they had FSR packs...

I used this serial number finder page at the info says:
https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienummers-squier_eng.php

Serial number: ICS19385245
Production year: 2019 (serial: 385245)
Crafted in Indonesia, by Cor-Tek [Fender Special Run]

Plus the 2-tones in the Affinity Pack guitars are very bland and lifeless... pretty much their idea of "2-tone" is a solid black line around the outside, no fade... and a yellow inside... very bland and boring and cheap.

I had to do a double-take at the headstock when I saw this one hanging there because what attracted me to it was the gorgeous 2-tone finish. Nice fade, and a thicker, deeper shade of golden brown, not the typical cat poo yellow the cheap Affinity models have and call it a 2-tone

For the life of me I can't find my freaking digital camera, and the camera on my phone is great for super blurry yuck pictures, LOL...

 

[GearGeek01]

This site claims the "S" in "ICS" designates an "Fender Special Run" or FSR...

http://www.squierwiki.com/Serial-Number-Tracking

ICS (“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number. In 2009-10 some Indonesian Squier's had the prefix ICS09XXXXX and ICS10XXXXX. Usually the S in ICS designates a Factory Special Run or FSR guitar manufactured by Cor-Tek in Indonesia.

They don't list any references as to where they got this information... like... did this come directly copy/paste from an official Fender website?

-------------------

From the same page:

Indonesian Squiers
IC (“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: IC09xxxxxx = 2009

ICS (“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number. In 2009-10 some Indonesian Squier's had the prefix ICS09XXXXX and ICS10XXXXX. Usually the S in ICS designates a Factory Special Run or FSR guitar manufactured by Cor-Tek in Indonesia.

Example: ICS10xxxxxx = 2010

IS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: IC02xxxxxxx = 2002

ISS (“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, SS = ??, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.

Example: ISS19xxxx = 2019

SI(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.

Example: SI08xxxxxxx = 2008

 

[GearGeek01]

On this Fender page, I also found out their definition of an FSR...

(link removed)

What's a Fender® Special Run (FSR) Product?


"FSR" stands for Fender Special Run. These products are specially commissioned by individual dealers and built to their specifications. As they aren't regular production models, FSR instruments and amps aren't generally available to every dealer, and Fender seldom provide specs or listings for them on its website. Your local dealer, however, should be able to provide detailed specs for any FSR products they offer.

 

[GearGeek01]

That serial number doesn't come up on the Fender website. It's most likely the HSS Strat that came in the pack with a small SS amp. ICS isn't an FSR. Every Squier made in Indonesia by Cort is an ICS. It means Indonesia Cort Squier.

What reference or proof do you have that "ICS" means "Indonesia Cort Squier"... besides common "knowledge" and hearsay, do you have a reference to a credible source that states this information? Like something on an official Fender page. That would be very helpful...

 

[DougM]

On this Fender page, I also found out their definition of an FSR...

(link removed)

What's a Fender® Special Run (FSR) Product?


"FSR" stands for Fender Special Run. These products are specially commissioned by individual dealers and built to their specifications. As they aren't regular production models, FSR instruments and amps aren't generally available to every dealer, and Fender seldom provide specs or listings for them on its website. Your local dealer, however, should be able to provide detailed specs for any FSR products they offer.

Every Squier I own is an ICS, and some are special colors only made for GC/MF and some are regular production models. This pic is from the standard production CV Mustang which isn't an FSR.

 

[GearGeek01]

I work part-time helping a store with their website so I have access to the official Fender Dealer Portal... this serial number on the pawn shop guitar does not come up on there either. But could be an FSR model ordered directly from a dealer doesn't register on the Fender Dealer Portal anyways... The Dealer Portal only keeps track of regular Fender model runs, not special quantity orders made by large dealers who could specify exactly what they want.

 

[GearGeek01]

Every Squier I own is an ICS, and some are special colors only made for GC/MF and some are regular production models. This pic is from the standard production CV Mustang which isn't an FSR.View attachment 816348

Just because "every guitar you own" has ICS doesn't mean ICS means "Indonesia Cort Squire. And why would someone post a long list of information on a Squier-related website saying the "S" of "ICS" means it is a Fender Special Run."

It would be easy enough to assume all of your ICS having been bought from GC/MF are simply their own FSR orders that they sell only from their stores, even you are assuming it is a "regular production" model, if all of them came from GC/MF then all of them would then be GC/MF FSRs. Doesn't mean they are worth anything special, all that would mean is that GC/MF buy aton of guitars and have the clout to oreder the specs and finished and sch that they want, making them all "Guitare Center Exclusives"/// even 9if they don't tell people as such.

Have you bought any of them anywehre else, like Sam Ash, Sweetwater, etc?

-----------------------------------

And...

What about the Strat pickups on this guitar that have a radius to the magnet pole pieces. Most Squier strats just have flat pole pieces they aren't rounded to match the radius of the neck. Those aren't any kind of regular model pickups, but I am not fully knowledgable on what the Vintage Modified pickups might have looked like... or the Classic Vibe pickups... so I can't explain the radius-ed pole pieces (yet)

On these pickups, the outside pole pieces are short, 2nd and 5th string pole pieces are a bit longer, the middle 2 pole pieces are the longest, making the pole pieces match the radius of the neck or attempt to. I've never even seen any pickups designed like that on any guitar.

They are also not adjustable pole pieces either (like on some Dimarzio pups that have tiny hex wrench holes in them) The magnets are other wise round but were installed in the bobbins with a radius.

 

[GearGeek01]

Every Squier I own is an ICS, and some are special colors only made for GC/MF and some are regular production models. This pic is from the standard production CV Mustang which isn't an FSR.View attachment 816348

Your serial number on your headstock picture of

ICS18194146

Also does not come up on the Fender Dealer Portal page... same as the serial number on the pawn shop guitar I am talking about. (Which an FSR guitar wouldn't not come up on the Dealer Portal page, the Dealer Portal only records regular production models) All an FSR is (most likely in your case) Is about 2,000 of the same (quote un-quote) "fender Special Run" guitars ordered by the huge buying power of GC/MF... who has clout enough to make massive orders outside of what Fender/Squier sends to the rest of the world...

On this web site:
https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienummers-squier_eng.php

Searching for that serial number also says it is an FSR...

Serial number: ICS18194146
Production year: 2018 (serial: 194146)
Crafted in Indonesia, by Cor-Tek [Fender Special Run]

 

[GearGeek01]

Every Squier I own is an ICS, and some are special colors only made for GC/MF and some are regular production models. This pic is from the standard production CV Mustang which isn't an FSR.View attachment 816348

Where did you get this picture? Its not from your guitar at home, as there is not anything in the background. I assume you copy/pasted this from the web somewhere? I assume it was the GC/MF website?

Here is a Squier Classic Vibe from fender's regular web site for a "Classic Vibe Starcaster"... this serial number starts with ISS not ICS...
https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/ZoomJpg/10001/0374590500_gtr_hdstckbck_001_nr.jpg

 

[Blues Twanger]

The CV has been around a while as well, not just after the VM. I read your reply as if you understood otherwise.

I have owned four Indonesian Squiers in the past, all were serial numbers beginning ICS, none were FSR guitars, if that helps. It doesn't mean yours isn't, it just means that source for the S is is maybe misrepresented or incorrect. The FSR may not be coming from the S but from the numbers if they knew when the run was made.

ISS is Samick, ICS is Cort.

I also wouldn't put too much stock in the pole pieces, in fact if it were one of the nicer ones it would probably be an identifiable marker. As a special run or lower model it could be almost any generic pickup used in there, hence not matching what you see online.

 

[GearGeek01]

OK, so I went to the Fender page and typed in Squier... all of the Squier models come up and most of the serial numbers start with "ICS"... LOL... so the guy who says "ICS" means "FSR" is full of horse dookie... hahahahaha

Thanks for posting, DougF... it helped me get to the bottom of that fallicy

 

[GearGeek01]

The CV has been around a while as well, not just after the VM. I read your reply as if you understood otherwise.

I have owned four Indonesian Squiers in the past, all were serial numbers beginning ICS, none were FSR guitars, if that helps.

ISS is Samick, ICS is Cort.

Thanks a huge bunch for that, I did not know that the ISS guitars were Samick.

IMHO, both Samick and Cort if combined probably make more guitars for the world than Fender USA, Gibson, and PRS USA combined, LOL.

I learned something about Indonesia as well. For a time when folks heard that some of the companies were moving from Korea to Indonesia there was a concern over a possible drop in quality. Actually the reverse happened.

If you research Indonesian wood working on Google, Indonesia has been doing fine quality hand-built wood working for centuries. Its a natural that they make better quality. Indo has been making fine wood working items for centuries long before there was an Orville Gibson, Leo Fender or Paul Smith... I especially love some of my Indo Epiphones of late. A small tweak to the action and intonation and all of the ones (I have 25+ guitars, I lose count, not all are Epi's) ... all of the Indo guitars I have are great. I like cariety and a small challenge to make something cheap into something bad to the bone play wise.

Some of the super-cheap Epiphones have really crap tuners (the Epiphone Special LP's and SG's) ... and I am not a fan at all of the Epiphone "Alnico Classic" pickups, those pickups tend to be either ice pick all treble or low end all mud. They do much better with their "Probucker" line of pickups.

But none of the quality issues like tuners are the fault of the Indonesian luthiers building guitars on the assembly line or however they do it. They are the fault of the Gibson/Epiphone upper management and board of directors who make the final decisions as to what price and quality of part gets installed from which factory model. Fender does the same thing and thus we have cheaper guitars (for a reason) ... they have been limiting the quality on guitars to get them in the hands of people for less money now for decades.

IMHO, one of the best moves PRS, Gibson and Fender have made is to have their guitars made by Indonesian craftsmen who most likely have been making wood worked products for generations and generations.

 

[GearGeek01]

Very good discussion, ya'll... I've already learned a lot...

Thanks

 

[GearGeek01]

I think I will go down and put this guitar on layaway tomorrow. I'm disabled and living on less than $800/month social security disability... so every purchase for me takes months instead of seconds, LOL

Takes me about that long to walk to the mailbox these days, too... hahahahaha