Sticks on which many a noted score is based (6)
I believe the answer is:
staves
'sticks' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for staves that I've seen before include "Lines in a musical score; parts of a barrel" , "Barrel pieces; verses" , "Curved wooden sides of barrel" , "Series of horizontal lines on which musical notes are written" , "Curved strips of wood in barrel" .)