Realistically, you could try ten 314s* all with the same tip and weight balance, and end up likeing 2, hating 5 and ho-hum about 3 more.
Now, multiply this by the number of different shafts, tips, tapers--and you see the magnitude on the question you posed.
Take the above problem, then factor in that no two players will want exactly the same set of combinations, and you begin to see the enormaty of the problem.
So, to a first order, buy a shaft for whatever reason/rational you muster, play with it for a while, try a few tips, and if your game does not adjust to that shaft, try something else. Not to mention, changing the taper dramatically changes how a shaft plays and can be done after you have tried the above.
(*) not picking on nor supporting the 314--its just an easy shaft designation to remember.
