Best F Tubas for Beginner 2025

Perfect f tubas for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestra For Solo Performance For Chamber Music For Professional Performance For Symphony For Advanced Players

BRANDS: Thomann Melton B&S

Thomann "Thunderbird" S F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Thomann "Thunderbird" S F-Tuba

by Thomann

Professional Performance Chamber Music Symphony

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone quality

✓ PROS

• High-end professional instruments
• Professional orchestral capability

✗ CONS

• Very heavy and demanding
• Limited availability

Thomann Thunderbird F-Tuba SF Tuba6 Cylinder rotary valvesArrangement 4+2Bell Ø: 420 mmHeight: 970 mmBore Ø: 19.00 -...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 525322

$5,498

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Thomann Phoenix L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Thomann Phoenix L F-Tuba

by Thomann

Symphony Professional Performance Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Professional orchestral capability

✓ PROS

• Superior low register
• Professional orchestral capability

✗ CONS

• Professional level only
• Extremely expensive

Thomann Phoenix L F-TubaF TubaBody and bell made of brassGold brass lead pipeNickel silver outer slidesBore 1st - 3rd...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 475557

$4,389

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Melton 4260-S F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Melton 4260-S F-Tuba

by Melton

Solo Performance Chamber Music Symphony

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone quality

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone quality
• Professional orchestral capability

✗ CONS

• Limited availability
• Extremely expensive

Melton 4260-S F-TubaF TubaSize: 6/4Orchestral tuba in lightweight constructionBody and bell made of brassBore: 19.50...

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 565179

$19,028

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Miraphone 481C Elektra F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Miraphone 481C Elektra F-Tuba

by Miraphone

Solo Performance Orchestra Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• Excellent for solo work
• Rich, warm tone quality

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Professional level only

Miraphone 481C Elektra F-TubaF TubaSize: 5/4Body and bell made of brassNickel silver lead pipeNickel silver setBore:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 546929

$14,464

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ZO ZTU-F850L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

ZO ZTU-F850L F-Tuba

by ZO

Professional Performance Symphony Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Professional orchestral capability

✓ PROS

• High-end professional instruments
• Superior low register

✗ CONS

• Limited availability
• Very heavy and demanding

ZO ZTU-F850L F-TubaF Travel TubaSmall and compact travel tubaBrass body and bellBore: 19.00 - 20.00 mmBell Ø: 310...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 485497

$3,684

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Schagerl Salzburg F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Schagerl Salzburg F-Tuba

by Schagerl

Professional Performance Solo Performance Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Professional orchestral capability

✓ PROS

• Excellent for solo work
• Professional orchestral capability

✗ CONS

• Extremely expensive
• Limited availability

Schagerl Salzburg F-TubaF TubaFour+1 rotary valvesBore: 19 - 21 mmBell diameter: 420 mmBody made of brassLead pipe made...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 620456

$6,456

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Willson 3200 RZ-5 F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Willson 3200 RZ-5 F-Tuba

by Willson

Chamber Music Professional Performance Advanced Players

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• Professional orchestral capability
• High-end professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Very heavy and demanding

Willson 3200 RZ-5 F-TubaF TubaFive valves (4+1)Rotax rotary valves with 100% volume capacityBore: 18.50 mmBore 4th...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 183541

$13,079

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Melton 4250-L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Melton 4250-L F-Tuba

by Melton

Solo Performance Advanced Players Symphony

Key Feature:

• High-end professional instruments

✓ PROS

• Professional orchestral capability
• Rich, warm tone quality

✗ CONS

• Limited availability
• Extremely expensive

Melton 4250-L F- TubaF TubaSize: 6/4Orchestral tuba in light constructionBrass body and bellBore: 19.50 mm / 4th and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 414814

$15,838

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B&S 3100 WG-L Fanny F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

B&S 3100 WG-L Fanny F-Tuba

by B&S

Solo Performance Orchestra Professional Performance

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone quality

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone quality
• High-end professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Extremely expensive
• Requires advanced technique

B&S 3100 WG-L Fanny F-TubaTubaSpecial "Fanny" - Andreas HofmeierLimited Edition6 Rotary valves: 4 + 2Bell...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 335779

$14,619

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B&S 56AFT Fossi F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

B&S 56AFT Fossi F-Tuba

by B&S

Symphony Professional Performance Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Excellent for solo work

✓ PROS

• Excellent for solo work
• High-end professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Very heavy and demanding

B&S 56AFT Fossi F-TubaF TubaAlessandro Fossi modelBrass bodyBell made of gold brassBore: 1st-4th valve 20.00 mm /...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 313938

$14,078

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B&S 3100/WGJ-L JBL F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

B&S 3100/WGJ-L JBL F-Tuba

by B&S

Orchestra Chamber Music Symphony

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• Excellent for solo work
• Rich, warm tone quality

✗ CONS

• Limited availability
• Extremely expensive

B&S 3100/WGJ-L JBL F-Tuba, F TubaJens Björn-Larsen (formerly of the Copenhagen Radio Philharmonic, now European...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 212619

$16,498

Buy at Thomann View Details

Rudolf Meinl 5/4 F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Rudolf Meinl 5/4 F-Tuba

by Rudolf Meinl

Solo Performance Professional Performance Advanced Players

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• High-end professional instruments
• Rich, warm tone quality

✗ CONS

• Very heavy and demanding
• Limited availability

Rudolf Meinl 5/4 F-TubaF-TubaSize: 5/4Brass body and bellLead pipe and main tuning slide in gold brassNickel silver...

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 250059

$21,549

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Melton 2260RA-L Brandstötter F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 5.0/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Melton 2260RA-L Brandstötter F-Tuba

by Melton

Chamber Music Symphony Professional Performance

Key Feature:

• Professional orchestral capability

✓ PROS

• High-end professional instruments
• Rich, warm tone quality

✗ CONS

• Limited availability
• Professional level only

Melton 2260RA-L Brandstötter F-TubaF TubaSize: 6/4Brass body and bellBore: 18.50 - 21.50 mmBell Ø: 440 mmHeight 890...

⭐ 5.0/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 278259

$16,388

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thomann Thunderbird M F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Thomann Thunderbird M F-Tuba

by Thomann

Professional Performance Orchestra Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• Superior low register
• High-end professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Professional level only
• Extremely expensive

Thomann Thunderbird M F-TubaF TubaBody and bell made of brassLead pipe made of gold brassNickel silver inner and outer...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 525321

$4,948

Buy at Thomann View Details

B&S 3100-L (PT-9) F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

B&S 3100-L (PT-9) F-Tuba

by B&S

Solo Performance Advanced Players Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Superior low register

✓ PROS

• Superior low register
• Professional orchestral capability

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Very heavy and demanding

B&S 3100-L (PT-9) F-TubaF TubaPerantucci 96 valvesBell Ø: 420 mmHeight: 970 mmBore: 17 - 21 mmGold brass...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 184425

$13,418

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best F Tubas

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced f tubas typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Best F Tubas for Beginner 2025

Thomann "Thunderbird" S F-Tuba

Thomann Phoenix L F-Tuba

Melton 4260-S F-Tuba

Miraphone 481C Elektra F-Tuba

ZO ZTU-F850L F-Tuba

Schagerl Salzburg F-Tuba

Willson 3200 RZ-5 F-Tuba

Melton 4250-L F-Tuba

B&S 3100 WG-L Fanny F-Tuba

B&S 56AFT Fossi F-Tuba

B&S 3100/WGJ-L JBL F-Tuba

Rudolf Meinl 5/4 F-Tuba

Melton 2260RA-L Brandstötter F-Tuba

Thomann Thunderbird M F-Tuba

B&S 3100-L (PT-9) F-Tuba

How to Choose the Best F Tubas

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying f tubas?

How much should I spend on f tubas?

Are expensive f tubas worth the investment?

What are the best brands for f tubas?

Should I buy f tubas online or in-store?

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