This list is for younger beginners, older musicians and those wanting a product of the highest grade. There is a lot of choice, so you should check out our Tuba buying guide to find out more. Hopefully you will find this helpful when trying to choose your instrument, and you’ll have a good idea about tuba price. Good luck and happy playing!
How much does a tuba cost?
The largest of the brass family, tubas can be expensive. However, a smaller entry level model costs around £1,000/$1,400. As you progress and grow in size, you would then need an instrument to suit your standard and unlock your potential. These intermediate models in larger sizes cost around £3,500/$5,000.
If you are serious about your music making or even want to go on to study professionally, an industry standard model will cost around £8,000/$11,000. Beyond that, there are some high level brass family models for the orchestra which can cost £15,000/$20,000 or more.
There are cheaper instruments out there but remember: ‘Buy cheap, buy twice’. The models on this list are usually very good in specification and after care service. The brand history of the models listed is also impressive, going back many, many decades.
Factors that affect the price range of a tuba
The grade of materials used, the size of the instrument and the resulting sound quality all influence the price of the instrument. If it’s silver plated, it is usually more expensive due to the extra manufacturing processes needed to create the finished product.
Yellow brass v gold brass v rose brass
The brass family consists of instruments constructed of brass, a mixture of copper and zinc. Easy to shape whilst remaining strong and able to create a project sound, the type of tone can be manipulated depending on the balance of copper and zinc content.
Yellow brass is 70% copper, 30% zinc. Manufacturers use more copper to make the brass softer. The tone created by softer models is mellow, broad and not as clear and direct as models made of harder metal. If there is more zinc used and less copper, the tone will be more direct and punchy.
Brass instruments made of yellow brass are harder than gold brass, with gold brass being harder than rose brass.
Clear lacquer coating v silver plating
Silver plate is thinly applied to brass instruments to protect them and it allows the player to produce finely detailed sounds. Clear lacquer coating leaves it as a yellow, golden colour, but as the lacquer is quite thick the sound can be quite mellow as a result.
Depending on traditions of particular military bands or orchestras, the brass section may be required to use models of a particular finish. Brass bands and silver bands are evidence of these particular traditions.
Number of tuba valves needed
Most entry level models are three valve. The range of more challenging music will require the tubist to carry out delivery of notes much lower in pitch. A fourth valve is found on larger models, allowing you to fill in the low pitch notes missing from those available on a smaller three valve instrument
To produce the lowest notes precisely in tune, the largest models are usually five valve. Here, the right hand operates four with the four fingers and one valve with the thumb. These are normally positioned on the front of the instrument which is known as ‘front action’
Piston v rotary valves
Piston valves are found on most English and American models, including the larger orchestral models such as the C and Bb tuba. In brass bands and military ensembles, pistons are found on basses of the brass section and these are ‘top action’, positioned high up and not on the front of the instrument.
In Europe, rotaries are very common and the fingers stay flatter to depress these. Instead of a piston going up and down to line up holes inside the valve to open and close tubing needed to change the pitch, a rotary valve turns a cylindrical valve to a new position. This rotary system is similar to how a train turntable points the rails towards a new bit of track.
Pistons can provide a very clear and direct tone at the beginning of the delivery of the note on a tuba. With less distance for the fingers to travel, a tuba player using rotary valves often creates a less punchy tone overall. If a brass section all use models with rotaries, they can blend their individual sounds easily.
Tuba brand or manufacturer’s reputation?
Besson is a world famous musical brass maker founded in 1837, and tubas from this manufacturer have been a favourite of soloists, brass bands, jazz bands and military bands for over a century.
In America, many European models have been imported over the years such as those made by the German brand Melton – Meinl Weston. Yamaha is a giant of the music industry and has invested vast sums in research and design.
Tubas for the younger player
COMES WITH: Mouth piece and strong case
FEATURES: 4 Aluminum Lined Rotary Valves
playLITE Hybrid
Tuba
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Great Price
- Great customer care
- Deposit payment plan available
- Younger beginners will eventually outgrow this
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
COMES WITH: Mouth piece and strong case
FEATURES: 4 Aluminum Lined Rotary Valves
Besson BE177 Eb - Silver Plate
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Great build quality
- Proportions and shape echo the full size model
- The case can be very bulky and heavy for younger beginners
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
TUBAS FOR INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS
COMES WITH: mouthpiece and hard case with wheels
FEATURES: 4 Aluminum Lined Rotary Valves
Jupiter JTU1020 Eb -
4 valve
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Full-size so ideal for adults or larger youngsters
- Solid and reliable instrument
- Historic, large brand with decent repair and warranty/service network marching rings are on this model, making it ideal for youth marching bands/brass bands
- More expensive compared to rivals
- The wheels on the case provided can sometimes be damaged easily but current design is much improved on previous generation
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
TUBAS FOR MILITARY, BRASS BAND AND MARCHING BANDS
COMES WITH: mouthpiece and hard case with wheels
FEATURES: Robust laser cut design
Besson Sovereign
982 Eb -
marching rings
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Industry standard for decades
- High grade finish
- Vast amount of replacement parts
- More expensive than other brands
- Difficult to clean in between valve slides and valve system
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Tubas for the orchestra or large ensemble (advanced and professional players)
COMES WITH: mouthpiece and hard case with wheels
FEATURES: As heard on many film soundtracks recorded by British orchestras
Besson Sovereign
981 Eb -
marching rings
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- hese have been used over many years by the finest musicians of all time
- High attention to detail including laser-cut components
- High standard finish
- Lots of effort and regular cleaning required to maintain silver finish
- Water marks can spoil the finish quickly if left alone
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
COMES WITH: mouthpiece and hard case with wheels
FEATURES: Solid body and ergonomic valve design
Besson 994 Tuba
in silver plate
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Heavy, dark tone delivery from a product which is not as large as some competitors
- Very easy to play if you have grown up and developed on a Besson Sovereign Eb tuba
- Same high level craftsmanship as you would expect and an affordable price for a tuba of these size and finish
- Lead pipe may feel in an uncomfortable position for taller people
- Plastic screw in valve guides can sometimes break off but spares can be easily found
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Tuba Price
Summary
A tuba is unfortunately never going to be super cheap. There are a number of ways to keep the cost down however and some online stores offer hire purchase schemes or participate in instrument funding schemes such as takeitaway.org.uk
It can be best to invest in something long term instead of spending the least money on something that will be too small in six months.
Best beginner instrument
PlayLite Hybrid Tuba
Best all rounder
Besson Sovereign 982 Eb tuba/bass
Best Advanced instrument:
Besson Sovereign BE994
yo just saw this after my band practice and gotta say, the part about different materials is spot on. i got a yellow brass one cos it’s cheaper and works fine for me. didn’t know much about the coating stuff though, guess that’s something i missed. does the silver plating make a big difference in sound or is it more about the look? anyone know?
In my experience, TJ_rocks458, silver plating doesn’t massively change the sound compared to lacquer, but it can give a slight edge in clarity and projection. A big part of it though is definitely the look and durability. Both have their perks!
Hey there! I’ve been thinking about picking up a new hobby since my kids left for college, and strangely, I’ve been drawn to the tuba. Always loved its deep sounds in parades! The cost info was great, but I’m kinda stuck on what’s the best for beginners? Is a smaller tuba easier to handle, or should the focus be on the weight? Thanks for any tips!
MarthaSews, it’s fantastic that you’re considering the tuba! For beginners, a 3-valve Bb tuba is often recommended due to its manageability and lighter weight. Starting with a focus on comfort and ease of playing can really help as you learn. Best of luck with your musical journey!
I was struggling to find something affordable but this really helped. I am finally getting a Tuba!
Yay Viktor! The tuba is a wicked instrument. Good luck with it all… If you need any other help, let me know.