not know how messy sounding the average even somewhat gain-y guitar sound is
It's not something I lose sleep over, frankly.
Shredders are very useful things, especially to composers accustomed to maintaining due self-criticism; I wouldn't be without mine, that's for sure!
Much the same could be said (at least by those who still persist in using those antediluvian tools commonly known as pen, ink and paper) for correction fluid which I've always regretted is not sold in 500cl containers (Sir Michael Tippex, as I used to call it).