No idea

I am of the understanding that if you take the inch from the bottom of the shaft (towards the club head), it will cause the shaft to play more stiff. But cutting it from the butt end should not.

I have no idea what shaft your cutting down and wether your problem deals with the length of the driver or that the current shaft is playing to soft for your swing. I have played with a shaft that is too soft and can tell you that it is very hard to control your shots even when you hit the center of the clubhead. But if you have hit the club when choked down then I think you will be ok by trimming it from the Butt end.