There are a number of good 'heads', Gallien-Kruger, David Eden (by far the best, and most expensive), SWR working man, but a great sounding speaker cabinet is 4-10s. 4, 10 inch speakers. Hartke makes...
an amp for a beginner doesn't need to be very powerful at all. 5-15 watts should suffice if it is a solid state amplifier, if it is a tube amp than 5 watts should be more than enough.