AudioFu

Best F Tubas for Professional Performance 2026

Perfect f tubas for professional-performance - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

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 B&S Melton
Rudolf Meinl 5/4 F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Miraphone 1281-L Petruschka F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Miraphone 1281-L Petruschka F-Tuba

by Miraphone
Solo Performance Symphony Advanced Players
Key Feature:
• High-end professional instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone quality
  • • Superior low register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability
  • • Professional level only

Miraphone 1281-L Petruschka F-TubaF Tuba"Petrushka" 1281 modelSize: 5/45 valves: 4 Perinet valves (front...

⭐ 4.7/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 239478
$12,428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Phoenix RAW F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Thomann Phoenix RAW F-Tuba

by Thomann
Symphony Solo Performance Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral capability
✓ PROS
  • • High-end professional instruments
  • • Rich, warm tone quality
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability
  • • Professional level only

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 475560
$4,719
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 4260-L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Melton 4260-L F-Tuba

by Melton
Symphony Chamber Music Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone quality
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone quality
  • • Excellent for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive
  • • Professional level only

Melton 4260-L F-TubaF TubaSize: 6/4Orchestral tuba in light constructionBrass body and bellBore: 19.50 mm / 4th-6th...

⭐ 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 414815
$17,598
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 2260RA-L Brandstötter F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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" S F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
ZO ZTU-F800L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

ZO ZTU-F800L F-Tuba

by ZO
Professional Performance Symphony Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Superior low register
✓ PROS
  • • High-end professional instruments
  • • Rich, warm tone quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires advanced technique
  • • Limited availability

ZO ZTU-F800L F-TubaF Travel TubaSmall and compact travel tubaBrass body and bellBore: 19.00 - 20.00 mmBell Ø: 310...

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 485493
$3,289
Buy at Thomann View Details
B&S 3100/WGJ-L JBL F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Thomann Thunderbird M F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Thomann Phoenix L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 14-L Trolley F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Melton 14-L Trolley F-Tuba

by Melton
Orchestra Symphony Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Superior low register
✓ PROS
  • • Superior low register
  • • Professional orchestral capability
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability
  • • Very heavy and demanding

Melton 14-L Trolley F-TubaF Travel TubaModel "Trolley"4 Rotary valvesBore: 15.50 mmDetachable bellBell: 22.00...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 228190
$8,798
Buy at Thomann View Details
B&S 3099/2/WG-L (PT-10) F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

B&S 3099/2/WG-L (PT-10) F-Tuba

by B&S
Orchestra Professional Performance Advanced Players
Key Feature:
• Superior low register
✓ PROS
  • • Superior low register
  • • High-end professional instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive
  • • Very heavy and demanding

B&S 3099/2/WG-L F Tuba (PT-10)F TubaBody and bell made of brassGold brass leadpipeNickel silver inner and outer...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 546762
$15,829
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 4260-S F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 2250-L F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Melton 2250-L F-Tuba

by Melton
Orchestra Professional Performance Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Superior low register
✓ PROS
  • • Superior low register
  • • Rich, warm tone quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires advanced technique
  • • Professional level only

Melton 2250-L F-TubaF TubaSize: 6/4Brass body and bellBore: 1st-4th valve 19.00 mm / 5th valve 20.50 mmBell Ø:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 246511
$13,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Miraphone 481C M Elektra F-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Miraphone 481C M Elektra F-Tuba

by Miraphone
Symphony Chamber Music Advanced Players
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral capability
✓ PROS
  • • Superior low register
  • • Professional orchestral capability
✗ CONS
  • • Professional level only
  • • Requires advanced technique

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382267
$12,318
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.

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