
Dave Lee — founder of Signal Snowboards and creator of Cardboard Sessions — has turned a wild idea into a full-blown creative movement. What began as experiments in building snowboards and skateboards out of cardboard with Ernest Packaging evolved into playable guitars, basses, and drum kits. The result is Cardboard Sessions, a YouTube series where world-class musicians jam on fully functional cardboard instruments, blending craftsmanship, sustainability, and pure curiosity into one inventive concept.
A former pro snowboarder, Lee brings his same fearless “let’s try it” attitude to music and design. Each session captures spontaneous performances by artists like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, exploring what happens when expectations are stripped away — and replaced by creativity and play. Behind the fun lies serious engineering: layered cardboard, bio-resin, and pro-grade hardware combine to make instruments that don’t just look cool but sound surprisingly great.
More than a gimmick, Cardboard Sessions celebrates innovation, sustainability, and the joy of collaboration. Lee’s message is simple but powerful: when you mix passion with experimentation, you can turn almost anything — even cardboard — into art. It’s a refreshing reminder for creators of all kinds that the best ideas often start with a “what if?” and a willingness to build something just for the love of it.