Since the invention of the amplified guitar in the mid-1920's, crowds and playing halls have grown to gargantuan size. Naturally this necessitated a parallel growth in amplification. Charlie Christian would, no doubt, have taken up the harp if he had known what lay ahead for amplified guitar. Yes, even Thor would turn tail and run if he suddenly found himself in the third row of a Led Zeppelin concert. The selection of amps now on the market ranges from tiny, portable battery operated models the size of a KUNG FU lunchbox to the monstrous AMPEG SVT (300 watts RMS). This month, I want to review some of the better brands, including the rigs of some of your favorite stars.