The body of a bass guitar is usually made of solid wood, such as alder, ash, or mahogany. The neck is usually made of a different type of wood, such as maple or rosewood. The fretboard is usually made of the same type of wood as the neck.
The shape of a bass guitar can affect its sound. For example, a bass guitar with a solid body will produce a louder, more sustain sound than a bass guitar with a hollow body. A bass guitar with a shorter scale length will produce a lower, more mellow sound than a bass guitar with a longer scale length.
The most common body shape for a bass guitar is the Fender Precision Bass shape, first introduced in 1951. This design features a double-cutaway body with a rounded lower bout and a more angular upper bout. The Fender Jazz Bass, introduced in 1960, features a similar body shape but with a more pronounced offset waist. Other popular bass body shapes include the Gibson Les Paul Bass, the Ibanez Soundgear, and the Warwick Thumb.