So far as learning masse' shots...
As Jamison said ["mostly trial and error is how you will master this shot"], and that is very true in my case. It took me a lot of trial (months) and a lot of nothing happening! Someone told me it can take 4 years of practicing masse' shots to be any good at them.
I've been playing around with my masse' cue for a couple of years and finally last night I had a shot where the masse' cue came in handy, and I was actually able to make the shot.
Also there are limitations in some rules as to how many different cues you can use. So you may not be allowed to use a playing, break, jump, and masse' cue in the same match.
So far as tip shape for draw with regular cue...
For me being able to draw back a specific distance is the thing I really work at. And this can be critical in some situations. Being able to draw back 6 inches, 1 diamond, 1/2 table, or whatever. I feel that always using the *same* exact tip shape and tip with same surface condition and same chalk applied (always chalk before each shot), allows me to be more consistent with my drawing distances. FYI - I use a Moori Q (hard) dime shaped tip on my playing cue and will lightly sand the tip (with shaper) before a tournament to give it a fresh surface. See shaping tools below.
So far as tip shaping tools...
I use electrical PVC cut in half and 8 inches long, then 220 grit sandpaper cut to size. Following is link which has a picture of my shapers (last picture). I use dime shape for my playing cue and jump cue, quarter shape for my breaking cue, and nickel shape for my masse' cue.
Picture of my PVC shapers (last picture)...
http://www.geocities.com/billybobnospam/pr.html
PVC SIZES...
Dime (1/2" PVC Pipe) [15.00 mm]
Nickel / Penny (3/4" PVC Pipe) [19.75 mm]
Quarter (1" PVC Pipe) [25mm]
Half dollar (1 1/4" PVC Pipe)
Billiard ball (2" PVC Pipe)
U.S. COIN SIZES...
Dime ......................... 18.00mm
Penny ..................... 19.10mm
Nickel ....................... 21.10mm
Quarter ...................... 24.10mm
Half Dollar .................. 30.50mm