A new tuba costs from about $1,700 to more than $30,000. On October 19, 2026, Thomann had 142 tubas and sousaphones in stock: a quarter cost less than $4,828, half less than $12,038, and 82 cost $10,000 or more. Only five cost less than $3,000. That's why many school bands own their tubas and lend them to students.
Tuba prices by key
| Type | Models | Cheapest | Median | Most expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bb tuba | 67 | $1,686 | $10,351 | $32,622 |
| F tuba | 49 | $3,149 | $13,839 | $30,372 |
| C tuba | 11 | $3,577 | $14,627 | $22,166 |
| Eb tuba | 10 | $3,486 | $6,524 | $13,492 |
| Sousaphone | 5 | $1,798 | $3,364 | $18,003 |
Bb tubas are the usual choice in bands and for students; C tubas are common in American orchestras, and F tubas are smaller tubas for solo and high parts. Melton and Miraphone (28 models each) and Thomann's own brand (27) have the most.
How much does a student tuba cost?
Thomann "Junior" Bb-Tuba, $1,674
The cheapest tuba we track: a compact 3/4 Bb tuba with four rotary valves. #47 of 61 bb tubas.
Jupiter JTU1010, $3,831
A 3/4 Bb tuba with four front-action piston valves, 9 kg and 89 cm tall. #2 of 61 bb tubas.
Thomann SHF-300 MKII Sousaphone, $1,785
A Bb sousaphone with a fiberglass body and bell, much lighter than brass for marching. #2 of 4 sousaphones.
How much does a good tuba cost?
Thomann 894L Superior, $4,234
A full-size compensating Bb tuba with four stainless steel piston valves. #6 of 61 bb tubas.
Yamaha YBB-321, $7,371
A 4/4 Bb tuba with four inline piston valves, sold with a case and mouthpiece. The highest-ranked tuba we track: #1 of 61 bb tubas.
Melton 197/2-S "Original", $32,388
The most expensive tuba at Thomann when we checked: a large 5/4 Bb tuba, handmade and engraved by hand. #47 of 61 bb tubas.
Questions
How much is a beginner tuba?
From about $1,700 for a 3/4 student tuba. Many schools lend tubas, so ask before buying.
Why are tubas so expensive?
They use a lot of brass, are largely handmade and sell in small numbers.
How we measured. Every tuba and sousaphone Thomann listed as in stock on October 19, 2026 (142 models), by Thomann's type categories, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate. Products show today's price and rank, updated every night.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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